Brakes - am I expecting too much

[weq92f]

Originally Posted by my67c20

Technically, the front brakes should not lock up or you would loose that ability to steer.
...<snip>...

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If the braking system is functioning (in these old trucks with disc brakes) as designed, it should be possible to completely stop the front wheels from turning at any time while driving. Yes, locking the brakes up would cause loss of steering, just as it does on ice and snow. When you see a person sliding on snow with all 4 wheels stopped (locked brakes), you see a person/vehicle completely out of control. In that case, the solution is to not stop the wheels from turning but rather, keep them right at the edge of loss of traction and stopping turning so that the slowing down of the vehicle is happening at the absolute fastest rate possible while maintaining the ability to steer. Pump the pedal if that's all you can do. On ice and snow, that rate isn't very good.

However when threshold braking a non ABS equipped vehicle on a dry road surface (such as described above), the rate of slow down that can be achieved with judicious application and moderation of the brake pedal to keep the tires right at the edge of loss of traction is exceptional. It takes skill. Skill that drivers today mostly do not possess due to ABS and the ease the tech brings to safety in braking. Just STOMP as hard as you can on the pedal with ABS and you'll stop as fast as the computer can do the modulation of the pressure to keep the tires right at the edge of their traction ability (given conditions).

There is no mechanical save your @ss from sliding directly into the thing in front of you in these old trucks. You must skillfully prevent the slide and maneuver to safety!

-Kevin

[A1971Blazer]

I've recognized that it may be a bit more expensive, but while rebuilding the brakes on my '67 C10, I installed disc brakes only on the front and used a hydro-boost unit.
The braking performance is exceptional, and yes, it can easily lock up all four wheels; however, the braking efficiency and control make this a non-issue.
The brakes have a solid feel and minimal foot pressure is needed to bring it to a stop.