Tech session from Grant - Tips on Brake Bias

Obp Tech-Session Top Tips and Information on Brake Balance / Bias Bars

As I have mentioned before your aim is to design your brake system so you will obtain maximum braking efficiency from all four wheels. Under braking weight is transferred to the front of the vehicle so that means your front tyres and the front brakes will be required to do more of the work.

In order to allow you to fine tune your brake balance from front to rear you will require bias / balance bar.  To install the bias / balance bar it is necessary to use a dual master cylinder set up.

The bias / balance bar functions quite simply by altering the fulcrum (pivot) point on the rod that connects to the push rods that operate the front and rear brake master cylinders. By moving the fulcrum point you are able to control and change the amount of relative force that is applied to each of the master cylinders. This bias / balance application when correctly installed will give you the fine tuning you require so the front brakes will lock up just before the rear brakes. This professional brake system set up is essential to be competitive in motorsports.

The bias / balance bar functions quite simply by altering the fulcrum (pivot) point on the rod that connects to the push rods that operate the front and rear brake master cylinders. By moving the fulcrum point you are able to control and change the amount of relative force that is applied to each of the master cylinders. This bias / balance application when correctly installed will give you the fine tuning you require so the front brakes will lock up just before the rear brakes. This professional brake system set up is essential to be competitive in motorsports.

SOME TOP TIPS ON ADJUSTING BRAKE BALANCE

1.   Changing the ride height of the car changes the braking characteristics and generally will cause the brake balance to be altered.
2.   The balance bar push rod should be adjusted so that the balance bar is perpendicular to the master cylinder push rods when the pedal is released. When the pedal is released, both push rods should be pulling against the retaining washers of the master cylinders. If the system is not adjusted correctly the push rod can advance the caliper pistons enough to cover the bleed holes in the calipers and this will cause the calipers to lock up as soon as they get hot.
3.   The only way to adjust the brake balance / bias assembly is by changing the fulcrum point between the master cylinder push rods and the pedal. You can’t adjust the brake balance proportion by changing the length of the push rods relative to each other.