how do I know if my rear brakes are working?

[jarnld]

Is there an easy way to check to see if my rear brakes are working without taking apart the entire assembly? I put new springs in and now my front brakes seem to be working overtime, when I brake my nose dives more than it did before.

Could this be a brake problem or simply because my rear is now higher and my shocks up front are still stock and suck (that will all change today...)?


Thanks!

 

[CJ3Flyr]

To clarify, what year T4R do you have? Older T4R's have a proportioning valve on the top of the rear axle that has a link arm to the body. The more compressed the rear end is the more rear brake you get. The assumption is the back is full of something. The less compressed the suspension is the less rear brake you get. The assumption is there's no weight in the back of the T4R. It's simple, effective etc. The bad side is you have to adjust the rod on the valve when you do something like install new springs.
:cheers:

 

[<<<<]

Pressure check is the most accurate way. But try this first:
Stop on the hill, Put engine in neutral, Apply parking brake (which only uses Rear Brakes), See if it holds.

 

[techno]

To clarify, what year T4R do you have? Older T4R's have a proportioning valve on the top of the rear axle that has a link arm to the body. The more compressed the rear end is the more rear brake you get. The assumption is the back is full of something. The less compressed the suspension is the less rear brake you get. The assumption is there's no weight in the back of the T4R. It's simple, effective etc. The bad side is you have to adjust the rod on the valve when you do something like install new springs.
:cheers:

I'll second this. If you are nose diving when braking, that valve will close up a little to prevent the rear from locking up, hence limited rear brake performance because its simply not needed. Get some new front suspension when you can.

 

[Koz]

Approx 80% of your braking is done by the front brakes. Changing the springs may be why you notice it more. The easiest way to see exactly how much rear braking you have is when you go to your state inspection. You can also lift the vehicle (using safety stands) and turn the rear wheels by hand (with the vehicle in neutral, with the engine running) and have someone apply the brakes. MAKE SURE THE VEHICLE WILL NOT MOVE. I'm sure the rear brakes are working.

Koz

 

[jarnld]

I checked the parking brake and the vehicle does not move on a hill in neutral. I think its just deceiving because I raised the back of the vehicle and Im not carrying cargo anymore - hence more relative nose dive.

I also got Pro Comp es3000s and a stabilizer going in this weekend so we shall see how it feels.

I think I just needed to get used to my rear not riding on my tires! Thanks all.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

I checked the parking brake and the vehicle does not move on a hill in neutral. I think its just deceiving because I raised the back of the vehicle and Im not carrying cargo anymore - hence more relative nose dive.

I also got Pro Comp es3000s and a stabilizer going in this weekend so we shall see how it feels.

I think I just needed to get used to my rear not riding on my tires! Thanks all.

If it has the proportioning valve I'm talking about in my earlier reply adjust it. Most of them use a threaded rod arrangement and have some adjustability. It'll stop better, drive safer and not wear the front brakes quite so much. Koz is right about 80% so get it back to 80% not the 95% your riding with now. That's just my opinion.

 

[Koz]

You don't even know if you have a problem. You noticed more dive. Did you notice any difference in how it brakes? The parking brake has NOTHING to do with the braking system. A computer controls the brake proportioning front to rear. I would bet (and I'm not a betting man) there is nothing wrong with the rear brakes.

Koz

 

[jarnld]

Ive been confused about the parking brake...I didnt even think it had anyhting to do with the system to begin with. It feels like its braking normal now...go figure

 

[TechWrench]

Ive been confused about the parking brake...I didnt even think it had anyhting to do with the system to begin with. It feels like its braking normal now...go figure

If you have an '03 or newer you have 4 wheel disk brakes. The parking brake system has nothing to do with the regular brakes, other than they are inside the rear disks. Whether they hold or not won't tell you anything about the condition of your regular braking system.

 

[<<<<]

Parking brakes are drum inside disk assembly. So, yes it is irrelevent to rear braking power during normal driving. On the other hand I do not see how changing suspension, effects braking proportion. Weight distribution of taller stance may change during braking but not brake proportion, you also may have more nose dive due to more suspension travel which may feel like front brake bias...

Just my opinion

 

[pmrowczynski]

Couldn't you simply drive in reverse and slam on the brakes and see if the "dive" behaviour is present but in the rear?

 

[jarnld]

i like that reverse idea! Everything is all good now folks, new suspension system is in and were driving like a champ.