Re: [T3] Brake squeal - pad backing plate? (Was: EMERGENCY fuel/line...)

["Jim Adney" <jadney@vwtype3.org>]

On 16 Jun 2008 at 21:26, Dave Hall wrote:

> > The reduction in piston size from 42 mm to 40 mm may not seem like much, but 
> > it
> > makes nearly a 10% difference in piston area, which means a 10% reduction in
> > front wheel braking.

> That would be for a given brake-pedal force.  It might take more push, but if 
> you can lock the front tyres on a dry road, you've as much braking effect as the 
> system can handle anyway.

Right, but it changes the front/rear ratio.

> I could make out a case for decreasing the front:rear brake balance ratio on a 
> Type 3, and even more so on a Beetle (even the old drum-braked one - had a few 
> scary moments needing cadence braking in narrow English lanes).

So you have had occasions to wish the fronts were weaker (or the 
rears stronger)? Especially with the squarebacks, where there can be 
a lot of weight in the back, the brake ratio is a compromise. I've 
never felt there was a problem with the ratio, but I don't often 
drive heavily loaded (and when I do, I try to put as much weight in 
front as possible.)

It IS interesting that in the early years, VW put larger brakes on 
the squareback rears, but they abandoned that starting in '66, IIRC. 
>From '66-on, it was "one size fits all" which certainly simplifies 
the replacement parts picture.

-- 
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Jim Adney, jadney@vwtype3.org
Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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