Author Topic: Lessons Learned - Safety  (Read 9033 times)

RhysN

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Re: Lessons Learned - Safety
« on: 03 Sep 19, 07:25 am »
While I didn't have a car there I hope a few observations are in order. My thoughts are focussed on safety, I'll leave performance issues out.
Brakes, a disc operates by being able to get rid of the heat when the kinetic energy is converted to heat, which happens by pressing the brake pads  against the disc. If the disc is'nt able to get rid of the heat, you will get brake fade. I am convinced that created Dave's lack of brakes, and thereby the falling over. In my opinion in his case the disc is too small in width to be a working brake, OK for a parking brake. If the pads are not making full contact with the  disc, ie only a part being used, there efficiency is not what it could be, and furthermore when the pads wear down there will come a time when the unworn parts butt up against each other and no pressure will apply to the disc, guess what, no brakes. The operating system, be it hydraulic or rod or cable is simply that, an operating system. Hydraulic will not mean better brakes, and if there is a mismatch between master and caliper, it may be worse. More calipers on the same disc will not help, in fact might be worse as the second caliper masks even more of the disc, and it's ability to get rid of heat.
I know that Stretton appears hard on brakes, but I know that at another event I discovered my left foot had been resting on the brake pedal for a distance, thus still generating drag, heat etc. Are you positive you don't do the same as there are really only 3 corners at Stretton which need much brake, 2 together just before Start/Finish, and the other at the far end?
Caliper mounting, the bolts here, from experience gained this last weekend i believe MUST be mechanically locked, either safety wired, or a tab system just like every car. Locking chemically is just not good enough, nor are spring washers and similar. (My opinion and I will be using that mechanical  method.)
We must avoid torturing our brains with false problems, it occupies but it can annoy. In jest!