[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index] [New Search]

Re: Slip-slid'n away...(Long, but please read on.) (fwd)


Forwarded message:
>From type-3-errors@umich.edu Mon Sep  8 11:42:33 1997
Date: Mon, 08 Sep 97 07:57:00 PDT
From: Toby Erkson <Toby_Erkson@ccm.jf.intel.com>
Message-Id: <Mon,.08.Sep.97.07:59:28.PDT_5@ccm.jf.intel.com>
To: type-3@umich.edu
Subject: Re: Slip-slid'n away...(Long, but please read on.)

Adriaan,
Your vehicle is responding exactly as it should -- nothing is wrong with 
it!  You don't even want to mess with the system in terms of proportioning 
valves and restrictors.  There is no such thing as a poor man's ABS, only a 
dead man's ABS :(

I know this isn't what you wanted to hear but there is another part of the 
braking system you CAN change, the part that controls it...YOU!  It is 
difficult to remember and implement, especially when under the sudden 
stress of a situation, but I've done it on both my cars and it's proven to 
work by every driving school and professional driver in the world (it's 
exactly how ABS systems work as well): Pump your brakes while stopping.

As you are stopping you want to bring your car to the brink, the very edge, 
of skidding but actually don't.  When you sense the car beginning to lock 
up you quickly release the pressure a LITTLE AMOUNT to keep the brakes from 
locking.  You then reapply the brakes until you sense them beginning to 
lock up again, then you release.  Repeat the cycle until you no longer need 
to emergency brake.

This takes practice and may seem awkward but it has saved my 914 from 
plowing into several cars.  This technique allows you to stop quickly and 
KEEP CONTROL OF YOUR CAR.  Since the wheels aren't locked up you can still 
maneuver the car.  When my 914 locks all four discs she will skid in a 
straight line and turning the steering wheel does no good.  But by pumping 
the brakes I am not only able to slow down very rapidly but I also can 
steer my precious around obstacles.

Putting bigger brakes will not help the situation nor will discs in the 
back.  Brake lock up is brake lock up no matter what the size the brakes.
     Toby Erkson
     air_cooled_nut@pobox.com
     '72 VW Squareback 1.6L bored and stroked to 2.0L
     '75 Porsche 914 1.8L NOT for sale
     Portland, Oregon
     http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/8501/

______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: Slip-slid'n away...(Long, but please read on.)
Author:  type-3-errors@umich.edu at SMTPGATE
Date:    9/8/97 2:47 PM
...
So what does one do to fix a lockup problem? This was not the first
time I had the rear wheels lock on me under emergency braking but I
would like it to be the last. The condition of the various players in
this saga is as follows:
...
Does anyone have any ideas? I am thinking of installing a pressure
restricting valve in the rear brake line to prevent this from
occurring again. (Poor man's ABS I suppose.) Has anyone done this
before? Is it a good idea?

Anyway, I'm grateful that no serious damage was done to my car and
that I lived to tell the tale! All input from you people will be
appreciated.

Regards

Adriaan Loedolff
adriaan@norton.ctech.ac.za
'69 Variant Automatic (200 000 miles + and still cruisin' after all
of these years!)



[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index] [New Search]