Can I run no front brakes on a street car?

I had a friend on the 70s with a short wheelbase bucket and wires on the front. No front brakes. The first real emergency turned it into a REALLY short wheelbase bucket. I've said this many times before. Cool is fleeting. Dead is forever.

 

If you have ever driven a "normal" car with rear brakes only you would know what a bad idea it is.

 

Now thats funny!

 

I've lost ALL brakes three times on three different dual master cylinder cars and trucks and been riding in another truck that did the same.
Blow a caliper seal in the front and that pedal goes to the floor. Master cylinder still full of fluid on the other half.
Only a setup like Volvo used with two lines to each wheel is going to save you from that.
I am using a single master on all my cars now. If the supposed advantage isn't one i'd rather it look more period correct.

 

Here's a straight answer based on my experiences. Note that these experiences are the result of having faulty factory 4 wheel brakes, as opposed to a car set up with brakes on one end only.

Rear brakes only tend to lock up easily and slide when you hit the pedal hard. If one rear tire has a better grip than the other, the resulting skid won't likely be in a straight line, and could be subject to change before you get stopped.

When the front brakes are the only ones working, the fronts tend to lock up and plow under hard braking, and don't respond to steering inputs until the brakes are released again. I've also noticed a very hard brake pedal when the front brakes are the only ones functioning.

Ken

 

I do it on my chopper and I've seen more that one car running around with only rears. You just have to pay attention more.

 

I can't believe there's two pages of replies to this dumb question. Please kill the thread.

 

Lol i cant believe i read up to page 2. This has got to be one of the dumbest questions on the internet. Step away from the car.

 

Id say no You would always be skidding to a stop ,Wouldnt p*** any inspection anyway ....

 

Sir, I raise a gl*** to you! You are true free thinker. In fact, why stop at that. Eliminate all the brakes. Fashion First! The new credo! Huzzah!

 

I'd close the thread if I could. I guess that's what I get for asking a question....Like most other threads started by guys without tons of automotive knowledge....you either get honest good answers from nice HAMBERS..or a bunch of ***holes making you feel like an idiot for even asking the question.

 

Don't feel like an idiot. There's a lot of knowledge to get here. We kid sometimes. I don't mind being called an ***hole so much. But I'd hate to think you wouldn't ask questions or play here because we teased someone, here in the virtual garage.

Run front brakes. If your car is fast you'll want 'em.

 

Lots of guys out there still running just rear brakes. But please don't.

Had a ride in a T-bucket once that only had rear brakes. First stop light we came to, I thought we weren't going to stop. I'd never have one like that, or ride in one without front brakes again.

Don't be afraid to ask the question. The teasing is worth it.

 

Hey, just gotta ask a better question.
Do you really want to be brakeless up front on the street, imean is that the goal really? Or do you want to run safely with breaks AND them ultra cool spindle mount wheels. Gonna require some engineering but its doable. Your not the first one with the idea or question

Lots of keyboard crew chiefs in internet land. And gotta have thick skin on the hamb. Turn it into a learning experience and have some fun.
If You never flamed somebody, then I can see your point.

Search spindle mount brakes and other terms like that. Its been done.

 

you probably could run just rears ..but honestly with all the accidents these days and old lady drivers why take a chance accidents happen ,thats why there called accidents. why put your self or anyones elses life at risk just for apperance of a cool car ..i think it looks cool with spindle mounted wheels and nobrakes but i wouldnt chance it ....my life means to much to me....think about it ..good luck .

 

can't do very good burnouts!

 

carry a HUGE a'mt of liability ins.

 

a couple of years ago our UK hotrod magazine called 'custom car' ran a tech article on fitting up some discs to those 12 spokes.....pretty easy to do....

 

Hey, road, most braking takes place on the front brakes. That's why brakes are bigger, more powerful in front than the rear brakes. Check the Speedway Motors cat, they sell the wheels you want and they mount to brakes.
In today's world rear only brakes just aren't a good way to go, er, stop.
Hey, how do you think I got the handle "crashbox"?

 

well, it's kind of a gray area as far as legality
most T's and A's (and a lot of restored cars) didn't come with frt brakes
they didn't stop worth a ****, either..

 

Yes, lots of early cars only had rear brakes. And like you say, by today's standards they didn't stop well at all. Jay Leno has added front brakes to some of his cars just so they can be safely driven on the street.

 

Truer than we think...

 

I had a set of 12 spoke spindle mount wheels on a previous project , with a motorbike disc etc fitted to them, BUT
they looked so small and the area on the wheel hub to drill into for a fixing was really tight so sold them. I'm sure 60 year old mag wheels would not be up to the job and might pull the centres out

 

Yikes!!!!


Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

Holy sheet! That thing needs a parachute and an anchor!
Wicked cool though!!

 

The concrete block is the key,you just have to be smarter than the wheel mounts.

 

NO...

 

Lol...Seven year old post..Op Steve went on to have a very good looking 55' Chevy G***er style car built called Show Time by I think Austin Speed..

 

See your running the optional parking brake.

 

Like Henry's T !