Brake Balance

[pwsigmund]

Recently on my 2002 Yukon 4WD I replaced both front wheel hub/bearings, as well as new rotors and pads on all four wheels, parking brake shoes, rear dust shields and rear axle seals. Good pedal, brakes felt fine, ABS isn't engaging prematurely, calipers weren't frozen, everything seemed great!

 

Unfortunately the next day I failed the NJ state inspection for brake balance. The test indicates my rear brakes are doing 60% of the braking, and it should be evenly balanced to pass. I went back and pulled the front calipers to check if the pads were binding, but they were loose, and the calipers float fine on their pins. Put the wheels back on and took it thru inspection, and it failed again. As far as I can tell from computer results they handed me, the rear brakes are too strong. The left-to-right balance on both front and rear axles shows perfect, so it's not an individual wheel problem.

 

Anyone experienced anything like this? Could it be a master cylinder problem? Is there an adjustment to proportion back/front. What else is there? I am at a loss what to do now.

[Dooner]

I don't have an answer to your problem, but NJ inspections BLOW to say the least. I couldn't move outta Jersey fast enough...

[brims]

Someone actually made a machine to do that kind of bullshit test, wow. I don't know how the rears are doing more stopping than the fronts.

 

Stupid question, did you do a break in of the new brakes? I don't know if that would cause you to fail or not, just an idea.

 

I'm pretty sure these newer trucks have a dynamic proportioning valve, wonder if yours has that and if it's just working as it was designed.

[bigredmariner]

It is possible that the front brakes are not fully bled out. Some trapped air could be causing the fronts to lag a bit. I wouldn't think your proportioning valve is bad, those things tend to last a long time. That's about the only different thing I can think of.

[pwsigmund]

This is the printout from their computer. They just hand it to you and tell you it just needs an adjustment. I got a kind of blank look when I tried to explain that you don't adjust disk brakes. Because it is a new test, I really don't know if I would have passed before or not.

 

[Wingnut]

That's a weird one.

 

Put some grease on the rear disks before going in?

[Stevens03]

 

Never seen that before. What does the garage do.. hand you that slip and charge you again? Do they offer up how to fix it?

[pwsigmund]

 

Never seen that before. What does the garage do.. hand you that slip and charge you again? Do they offer up how to fix it?

 

In NJ we have state run "inspection facilities", which are strictly for testing, and operated by state employees. The inspection is free, and required every 2 years. The other option is to take it to a "state certified" garage, but they charge you $50 (I think, may be more) for the inspection, and you can have the vehicle repaired if necessairy right there.

 

The irony of this whole thing is that I also have a 2001 Silverado pickup with 70k miles that I bought 2nd hand a couple years ago. While I know I should have, I had only looked at the front brakes, and never pulled the rear wheels since I bought it. Two months ago I took it thru the same inspection station and the same test, and it passed without problem. Afterward, since I was doing brakes on the Yukon I decided to check the rears on the Chevy. Not only were the rotors badly pitted and worn, both calipers were frozen. I had no rear brakes! But that passed OK. Go figure.

[Stevens03]

Dang, maybe you should put the crappy rear brakes back on for the test.. then replace... At least it would get you another two years.

[compulynx]

I don't have an answer to your problem, but NJ inspections BLOW to say the least. I couldn't move outta Jersey fast enough...

 

 

+1 on that

 

 

I think instead of executing the Gitmo terrorists, they just ought to make them live the rest of their life in New Jersey!

 

C

[Jsdirt]

Unreal ... this is the type of thing I would expect in Massachusetts! I'd better shut up ... their probably working on that right now! Of all the ways to extort a buck!!

 

We get to pay them $29 for the inspection. You'll fail if you forget to add washer fluid, then you drive around with a REJECTION sticker on your windshield screaming PLEASE PULL ME OVER ..... then if you do get a ticket, it's a 6-YEAR surcharge on your insurance!!! What do ya expect from a state that passed a law against TRANS-FATS in restaurants??

 

That's what happens when your state government has 126 democrats & just 6 Republicans.

[pwsigmund]

well get ready . . . I just did a search to see if this brake balance test is a problem elsewhere, and found an article, presumably by the company that developed and is trying to peddle this test to states, that said:

Computerized dynamic brake testing:

• is endorsed by the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators
  
• is approved by the Federal Highway Administration
  
• is used by:
  • U.S. Army (6 facilities, 8 testers)
    
  • Disney Transport
    
  • School bus fleet operators
    
  • State of Connecticut
    
  • State of Delaware
    
  • State of Utah
    
  • Metro Dade County, Florida (taxi cab testing)
    

   

   

 

• is an approved alternative to traditional testing means in:
  • Massachusetts
    
  • New York
    
  • New Jersey
    
  • Texas
    

   

   

here's the link

[brims]

It's a new test, so you're not sure if you passed before. Wonder if the operator has his head up his ass working the machine and screwing you over. I'm for greasing the rear brakes. Get the most slippery grease out there and go nuts.

 

I've said it once, I'll say it again, east coast calling this place Commyfornia is just a cover.

[pwsigmund]

I figure I've got several options:

 

1. Keep driving with a red sticker till the cops stop me. - probably not a good idea.

 

2. Deactivate the ABS by pulling it's fuse - isn't activating, but maybe somehow controls proportioning?

 

3. Replace front calipers. May improve front performance, even though rears seem too good.

 

4. Take it to a garage - $$

 

 

Here's the exact test, if anybody cares. Coming soon to a state near you!

 

http://www.hunter.com/PUB/PRODUCT/braketes...4002T/4002T.pdf

[Wingnut]

Maybe put some really good pads on the front or some really bad ones on the back?