Rear brake bias valve with 40mm lower.

1. Gordon Frequent Poster Joined: Oct 2008 Posts: 543 Phase-II VTR

   #1 7th November 2009, 00:37

   Will a 40mm lower require the rear brake bias valve to be readjusted?
2. AlexBp West Midlands Joined: Dec 2007 West mids Posts: 23149 Supra,civic GL

   #2 7th November 2009, 01:28

   Any lowering should really
   but 90% of people don't bother
   
   it's not a massive adjustment it makes tbh compared to a proper bias valve
   I've adjusted mine so it's winding as much braking off as much as possible
   it's personal choice as to how you set it tbh
3. col101 Frequent Poster Joined: Mar 2009 York Posts: 768 VTR

   #3 7th November 2009, 08:31

   I was abit woried about this when I did mine, so I took it to my friendly MOT place and put it on their brake tester. Required no adjutment, but I recomend you make sure before you forget about it!
4. Gordon Frequent Poster Joined: Oct 2008 Posts: 543 Phase-II VTR

   #4 7th November 2009, 09:23

   Cheers guys. I didn't think it would make much of a difference with it just being down 40mm but I'll have a look for a 'friendly' MOT place who can have a look at it for me. To be honest, i'm sure a little bit of extra rear bias wouldn't go a miss.
5. col101 Frequent Poster Joined: Mar 2009 York Posts: 768 VTR

   #5 7th November 2009, 16:30

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by Gordon To be honest, i'm sure a little bit of extra rear bias wouldn't go a miss.

   You might think that. But have you tried stopping quickly from 50mph with just your handbrake?
6. Gordon Frequent Poster Joined: Oct 2008 Posts: 543 Phase-II VTR

   #6 7th November 2009, 17:06

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by col101 You might think that. But have you tried stopping quickly from 50mph with just your handbrake?

   I said a bit, not 100%
   
   I've decided to play it safe now anyway. It's booked in at a garage on monday to get its back end dropped.
7. Mysticp Scotland Joined: Jul 2005 Edinburgh Posts: 9556 Saxo 1.6i 16v VTS, 2 Classic Minis

   #7 7th November 2009, 17:40

   Handbrake is entirely different to a pressurised system. The rear brakes alone would stop you far faster than simply pulling up the handbrake
8. col101 Frequent Poster Joined: Mar 2009 York Posts: 768 VTR

   #8 7th November 2009, 19:40

   As a trained mechanic I am fully aware that the rear wheels locking up are exactly the same as the rear wheels locking up. It makes no difference to the wall you're gonna hit wether you pull the handbrake or push the pedal.
9. Mysticp Scotland Joined: Jul 2005 Edinburgh Posts: 9556 Saxo 1.6i 16v VTS, 2 Classic Minis

   #9 7th November 2009, 19:53

   You'd be doing well to lock the wheels with the handbrake at 50mph. Not to mention if stopping is your aim then locking the wheels isnt on the itinerary & you have far more control with the foot pedal.
10. col101 Frequent Poster Joined: Mar 2009 York Posts: 768 VTR

    #10 8th November 2009, 09:03

    You're missing the point entirely. In an emergency stop situation when you hit the foot brake hard badly adjusted rears are more likely to lock up when they probably wouldn't normaly. Either way you're screwed.
11. user_10176 Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Jun 2006 Ramsey st marys, peterborough Posts: 8288 Saxo's, Corsa (Daily)

    #11 8th November 2009, 09:09

    if it not adjusted, and it on too much the rear will brake too hard, and could lock up before the front and that could make you spin out!!!!
    
    so best to look at it and make sure it ok.
    
    andy

    1 user thanked this post: col101
12. andymiller_VTR Established Member Joined: Jan 2009 kirkintilloch, Glasgow Posts: 1968 ep82 starlet gt turbo

    #12 8th November 2009, 13:07

    The back of mine locks up before the front. not only is mine lowered but theres no weight in the back either. Makes for entertaining driving tbh
13. sevenfourate Regular Poster Joined: Dec 2004 Lowestoft,Suffolk. Posts: 374 Slammed,Cam'd+NOS'd VTR

    #13 8th November 2009, 13:09

    Where is the bias valve - is it easy to get to and adjust yourself ?
14. AlexBp West Midlands Joined: Dec 2007 West mids Posts: 23149 Supra,civic GL

    #14 8th November 2009, 13:30

    as said to the guys on about skitting out and you will die im pretty sure 90% of cars dont have it adjusted
    if someone is silly enought to lower by clicks then they wont give a thought to the bias
    
    yes it should be adjusted but how many people dont give a thought to it and they get on fine
    
    it wont be as effective but there not locking like pulling the handbrake its just due the the fact they become so unweighted under hard braking
    mine is wound right down so its set to as little as possible braking and in hard use they still lock a rear here and there its somethign you wont get away from in fwd cars
    look at stuff like the btcc cars you see them locking rears quite regular just down to weight transfer
    
    unless you lierally dont have functioning rear brakes then you will be getting some form of lock up
15. VTRelite Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Dec 2008 Gloucester Posts: 3000 Citroen Saxo VTR Renault 5

    #15 8th November 2009, 20:21

    I seriously need to adjust mine (down 40mm) as I keep locking the rear wheels up (although have used this to get round corners before lol)
    
    How do you do it?
16. Gordon Frequent Poster Joined: Oct 2008 Posts: 543 Phase-II VTR

    #16 8th November 2009, 21:49

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by AndySAXOK if it not adjusted, and it on too much the rear will brake too hard, and could lock up before the front and that could make you spin out!!!! so best to look at it and make sure it ok. andy

    
    I'm well aware of what happens with too much rear bias. I was just asking if being down 40mm was enough to effect the valve.
17. user_27223 Regular Poster Joined: Sep 2008 Northern Ireland Posts: 282 Just got a Black 2001 Saxo VTR!

    #17 16th February 2010, 00:46

    Could any one enlighten me on how to adjust the brake bias valve? Mines decked at the back and my MOT is tomorrow. Please help!
    
    Ben