<VV> Brake Pulling Problem Solved?

[Alan and Clare Wesson]

The guy who works on the Lotus Sevens is an ex-Formula 2 chief mechanic, and 
he is showing me lots of little 'wrinkles' that I never knew about. My 
Lancias have had 'grabby' brakes for ages, but they don't now, and most of 
that is down to him.

Besides doing what is suggested here (sanding the shoes, and also cleaning 
them thoroughly), he got me to press the pedal gently while he rotated the 
drums with his hand - if you do this ever so gently, by degrees, you can 
tell if there are any high spots on the drum or lining.

Finally, when he was adjusting them, he got me again to press the pedal ever 
so slightly, to check that the drums both sides were going on at the same 
rate of progression (i.e. he got me to press the pedal so that the brake on 
one sides was *just* beginning to drag, and then he went round to the other 
side to check that the other one was at exactly the same stage - and guess 
what, it wasn't! When he had finished adjusting the brakes so that the 
progression was identical both sides, all the grabbing had gone.

And I now have the best brakes ever. What a guy!

Cheers

Alan

www.xtraspecialsevens.co.uk
Lotus 7 S2 and S3 spares and restoration specialists


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jim Bannister" <jimster1@earthlink.net>
To: "'N. Joseph Potts'" <pottsf@msn.com>; "'Corvair List'" 
<virtualvairs@skiblack.com>
Sent: Sunday, October 31, 2004 9:33 PM
Subject: RE: <VV> Brake Pulling Problem Solved?


>I too had a pulling problem.  Both drums and shoes looked spotless, but my
> shade tree mechanic buddy lightly sanded the shoes with a piece of clean 
> 200
> grit sandpaper.  The car now stops hands off straight as an arrow.  Give 
> it
> a try.
> Jim B.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: virtualvairs-admin@corvair.org 
> [mailto:virtualvairs-admin@corvair.org]
> On Behalf Of N. Joseph Potts
> Sent: October 31, 2004 12:33 PM
> To: Corvair List
> Subject: <VV> Brake Pulling Problem Solved?
>
> I had a fluid leak in one wheel. Fixed that and still had pulling (had
> cleaned drum thoroughly, but the fluid was silicone, so I don't know if I
> got it all, or even HOW to do so other than wipe with alcohol).
>     Got the drums turned, for the first time in the 8 years I've had the
> car, and possibly the first time ever (drums still showed chamfer).
> Directionality now much improved.
>     The reason I put a question mark in the subject is because I have
> "fixed" this problem many times, only to have it return (often as the 
> result
> of a slow hydraulic leak, but sometimes quite without explanation). Having
> the drums turned is a new (and desperate) measure, so maybe now the fix 
> will
> stick. Never had such problems with any other car, drum or disk.
>     Using carbon Kevlar shoes in hopes of improved stopping power in wet
> conditions. Using DOT 5, as mentioned.
>
> Joe Potts
> Miami, Florida USA
> 1966 Corsa coupe 140hp 4-speed with A/C
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