GRRR Frustrating day, and a Front Disc Brakes Q ?

516 Views 2 Replies 2 Participants Last post by dickson, Jul 13, 2002

dickson

Discussion Starter · Jul 13, 2002

I happend to be chatting with my uncle last week about the mustang, and mentioned the front end vibrations. He offered to take it in to the tire shop, as he knows the owner. There they determined that the previous shop did not do a suitable job balancing the styled steel wheels/tires, so they redid that. This supposedly cured the vibes, but they also noticed that the front tires are rubbing just slightly on the fender lips /forums/images/icons/mad.gif. Looks like I'll be putting a slight roll on those repro fenders after all, after some diagnosis as to where it's needed......

But frustrating part is that he used the car to cruise around all afternoon with two buddies (and further insult is he's an old Corvette guy !) During that time he says the front brakes started acting up, dragging and slowing the car down more than they should, but only after it was well warmed up (like an all day cruise!). This happened to the point where the wheels themselves were really hot to the touch. I can see this in a racing situation, but not around town driving..So, I guess it's off the the brake shop next week - Unless anyone here can help me diagnose this. The front disc brakes are SSBC units on stock rotors. Anyone have any ideas?

Maybe I'm overreacting. He did help me out by taking the car in to the tire shop, but I told him I'd pay him for that. Long story is he's a sad story - addiction problems, won't hold a job, but we try to keep him going. But it took him 12 hours (8 am to 8 pm) to get the car back, I suspected he was drinking beer all the time, and I was pissed. I felt like he overstepped what I asked him to do. I would not have begrudged him a little cruise afterwards, but basically all afternoon and into the night /forums/images/icons/mad.gif. He knows this is my most prized possession ! AFAIK the car is fine, but I'm still kinda steamed !!! Dickson

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mrgem

· #2 · Jul 13, 2002

Geez, Dickson. I don't know that I'd want a beer-swilling relation driving my old cars around. If anyone is gonna swill beer and drive my cars - it's gonna be me! LOL (Seriously - I am not advocating drinking and driving, kids - DON'T DO IT.)

Anyway, you say the pads are dragging? I'd be tempted to zero base this problem and not assume your uncle and his buddy are correct. What happens when you put the front end in the air and spin the wheels? Do they spin freely? Are these new calipers? If so, I'd give SSB a call and ask them what might cause the problem. Even if they aren't new, I might do this if you're getting constant dragging.

How about the master cylinder - is it the correct one for the brake system? I see alot of folks playing "Mix 'n Match" with brake components - and that worries me. Is there a proper prop valve installed?

Also curious about your rubbing problem. Is the front end properly aligned? What kinds of suspension mods have been made to the car - lower springs, Shelby mod?

I realize this sort of thing is frustrating, but remember what my wife is always telling me - "This is your hobby. It's supposed to be fun...". Makes sense when I lose perspective from time to time.

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dickson

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jul 13, 2002

Good points Glenn. As for the beer swilling uncle, I agree. This is the first (and last) time I get him to ever do anything for me that actually requires some brain power and responsibility.....Paint the fence - he's your man. Just no more mustang related chores. As to frustrations, you're right. I was a lot more frustrated (or freaked out) about my idiot uncle hotrodding my car out on the town than the tires/brakes problems. We all could drive late model Hondas and never have to deal with problems such as this.....but we choose not to !

I hope the front rubbing won't be a huge problem. My front is lowered 1" with 440 lb springs, and has the Shelby drop (for those of you who think that lowers it more).....I'm due to go to the paint shop to fix some chips anyway, so I'll try a slight roll first just in case I do any damage (let's hope not).

As for the brakes, my shop manual says those symptoms may be due to frozen front pistons. These are not new front brakes - they were a nice surprise when I bought the car- so I can't go to SSBC. I think that's the first place to look....

Is it a sign of laziness or addiction (or both) that I post a question here before consulting the shop manual?

Dickson

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