Hot Rods Disc Brakes on Rear

I seem to be locking up my front wheels more when braking than I did last year. Still have same set up with disc front and drum in the rear and have proportioning valve. 16 inch tires that are 4 ply.

My question is if I put disc brakes in the rear as well would that help me or would I be better of looking at some new tires?

Appreciate any thoughts and recommendations

Kerwin

 

Replacing tires and putting rear dics on the rear have nothing to do with your problem. I had the same problem once that you have.
It got kind of dangerous on sand or gravel when the front wheels locked up and the rears keep turning and theres a car in front of you stopped at a stop sign or traffic light.
Your proportioning valve needs to be adjusted properly

 

Or the rear brakes need adjustment.

 

Even drums with self adjusters should be checked and if needed adjusted regularly. Consider it part of your annual service schedule.
-Dave

 

Gman, for future reference, if you have that rear brake situation again, a quick shift into neutral or depressing your clutch pedal will diffuse a dangerous situation till you can rectify the rear brake problem.

 

So it did the same thing last year but not as bad? Are you running the correct master for a disc/drum setup?

 

RJP, thanks but that car is long gone.

 

I've been driving for 3 years now and just started having the issue, the master was purchased as a kit specific for disc/drum. Just wondering if I had disc/disc if I would need to proportioning valve at all

 

Have you checked the rear drums for wear and proper adjustment? Pads and shoes are considered "consumable".
-Dave

 

I'm with town sedan ^^^ check them rear brakes. If it keeps getting worse it makes sense that the rear brakes aren't holding up their end of the deal.

 

Have not checked but will now, thanks for suggesting that. They don't have many miles but worth looking at

Sent from my SM-G975U using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

You might look at Wilwood’s instructions. They start by adjusting the prop valve to skid the rear tires by driving near 50 and jam on the brakes. You need a wide mt street. You then make your adjustments.

 

Are you using a proportioning valve now?

 

The first post says he has a proportioning valve.

 

If nothing has changed, besides mileage, then as mentioned it is most likely that the rear drums are out of adjustment. Even drums with auto-adjusters will not adjust if the car is never driven backwards and braked with some force. If non-auto, get your brake s**** out and adjust the jack screws.
With a divorced two pot system, when the drums wear down and the adjusters are not adjusted out the throw for the rear drums ill require more pedal travel to engage to work than the fronts. Front discs will always be 'right there' where the drum springs will always pull the shoes away from the drum. If the jack screw is not adjusting out, or adjusted out, to make up the take up of wear the fronts will grab before the rears.

Go for a moderate drive, do some moderate braking.
Pull over.
Put your hand near the rear drums. If they are cold or not even warm then they are not functioning.
Either drums are out of adjustment or possibly a leaking wheel cylinder.

 

Thanks.
I guess I needed my gl***es.

 

Completely different topic, but have you been running that car with the radiator mounted like that? I've had one (and seen a few more) that broke the lower mounts right off the radiator. They need a rubber cushion between the radiator/ frame and i put one on top also with a fender washer, to absorb the vibration.

 

I have had that same radiator set up the 3 years I have been driving it, not a lot of miles on it though

 

I guess you have better luck than i do. Makes a helluva mess when they break.