Brakes Q

[bcar240]

My front passenger brakes (240sx) is acting strange. Occasionally, when they are cold right after I start driving, when I brake it feels like that wheel get maybe 80% of the braking power. If I am not holding onto the steering wheel the car will veer that way rather harshly. I also noticed that that rim has a very grungy coating of something, likely brake dust, that's probably 10x the coating on the other wheels. I have also noticed that when that tire gets wet, like in a carwash, the brakes sometimes stick on that wheel. I probably need new disk/pads, but I was wonding if there was a proportioning problem or something because it only happens on that one wheel.

[Exar-Kun]

Sounds like you got a stuck caliper or brake line issue, esspecially if its pulling hard under braking..get it checked out ASAP!

-Chet

[bcar240]

Could that black crap all over the wheel be fluid, or is it most likely brake dust? I mean I have 17" silver alloys and that rim is nearly all black. I checked the fluid and it was not low, but it wasn't topped off either. I was planning to upgrade to 300zx front brakes in the next couple years, so this might be an opportunity (even if it's only a minor problem). Only problem with that plan is I would likely have to get new rims. Speaking of which, is there a way to replicate the size/placement of a 300zx caliper or is it a pretty much test and see method? Thanks!

[Darius]

I've had a caliper seize up on me and did exactly what you described as far as pulling and being coated in black dust.

Seriously replace that caliper ASAP because they go fast especially if you brake hard. They will tend to stick in the furthest ON position. I drove mine to the autoparts store like 3 miles away and my brake rotor was glowing red by the time I got there.

I dont know about the 300ZX brake caliper sizing, but I'm sure it's been covered in SEARCH. I remember reading something on it a while back.