36 replies to this topic

[whittlebot]

Apologies if this discussed elsewhere, but I'm worried and yes, scared. Twice recently, my baby has failed to hold the road in wet or very wet conditions. New tyres fitted last year. And yes I know that the roads being very dry, become very slick and greasy with prolonged rain, I also know I have to brake 'sensibly' Not foot to the floor suddenly, but both times, I was obliged to. What's interesting and if it helps, the car pulled violently to the right. What's happening and why! 

Oh the car has a take-it-to-bits-and-put-it-together-again service, every year by my local garage.

Jonathan

[Northernpower]

Apologies if this discussed elsewhere, but I'm worried and yes, scared. Twice recently, my baby has failed to hold the road in wet or very wet conditions. New tyres fitted last year. And yes I know that the roads being very dry, become very slick and greasy with prolonged rain, I also know I have to brake 'sensibly' Not foot to the floor suddenly, but both times, I was obliged to. What's interesting and if it helps, the car pulled violently to the right. What's happening and why! 
Oh the car has a take-it-to-bits-and-put-it-together-again service, every year by my local garage.
Jonathan

What brakes are fitted?

[Cooperman]

You possibly need to learn how to drive safely within the limits of your old, slow and classic car.

 

Never blame the car. I often use the term 'driving faster than you know how to' and it is often true. You should virtually never have to brake very hard, but you have had to do so twice recently. This implies that you are either driving too close to the car in front, driving too fast for the car/conditions and/or failing to appreciate what is happening around you (lack of situational awareness).

 

Please take care.

[Chris.Williams]

You possibly need to learn how to drive safely within the limits of your old, slow and classic car.
 
Never blame the car. I often use the term 'driving faster than you know how to' and it is often true. You should virtually never have to brake very hard, but you have had to do so twice recently. This implies that you are either driving too close to the car in front, driving too fast for the car/conditions and/or failing to appreciate what is happening around you (lack of situational awareness).
 
Please take care.

Cooperman......the diplomatic sledgehammer we all wish we were.

[sledgehammer]

If the car pulled violently to the right when braking, check the left front brake,

 

sounds like this could be part of the problem

 

only one side sounds like it is working (the right)

 

also check tyre pressures , condition & look for brake fluid on tyres , this would also cause loss of braking effect

 

also possible to pick up a bit of diesel on tyre at a petrol station , or junction , esp noticeable when wet

 

quote 'Oh the car has a take-it-to-bits-and-put-it-together-again service, every year by my local garage.'

 

i assume you mean the brakes ? , a lot can happen to a braking system in a year , is it using brake fluid ?

Edited by sledgehammer, 30 June 2017 - 09:58 PM.

[1984mini25]

New tyres fitted last year...

 

 

Wouldn't happen to be 145's Falkens by any chance?

[Rorf]

Still no answer as to what type of brakes on the car - drums or discs upfront. If it pulls violently to one side under hard braking then there is definitely something not right. Take it back to the garage that does the annual strip and rebuild

[dyshipfakta]

New tyres fitted last year...
 

 
Wouldn't happen to be 145's Falkens by any chance?

What's up with 145 falkens? I have 165s on my lump and they seem pretty good.

[absx2]

 

 

New tyres fitted last year...
 

 
Wouldn't happen to be 145's Falkens by any chance?

What's up with 145 falkens? I have 165s on my lump and they seem pretty good.

 

 

Different compound but still rubbish compared to yoko`s

[greenmini1275]

I've got 165 Fallen fitted, never had any issues and sometimes I can drive like a knob.

[cal844]

 

 

New tyres fitted last year...
 

 
Wouldn't happen to be 145's Falkens by any chance?

What's up with 145 falkens? I have 165s on my lump and they seem pretty good.
 

 
Different compound but still rubbish compared to yoko`s

Over driving the car, I have 145/80/10 falken sincera and also 165/60/12 ziex ze914 and they are both good tyres

[cal844]

 

 

New tyres fitted last year...
 

 
Wouldn't happen to be 145's Falkens by any chance?

What's up with 145 falkens? I have 165s on my lump and they seem pretty good.
 

 
Different compound but still rubbish compared to yoko`s

Over driving the car, I have 145/80/10 falken sincera and also 165/60/12 ziex ze914 and they are both good tyres

[sonikk4]

Age of tyres plays a big part here as well. Five years old or more, bin them, they are past their shelf life. Yes also brands of tyres is another factor.

 

Brakes, we hear so often about brakes sticking, fading, not working correctly. So that is down to maintenance. Its a safety item and if you are not sure what you are doing then stop, find someone who does.

 

Suspension components as well, worn radius arm bearings etc etc can play a major part in how a car will react under cornering or braking.

 

So to the OP, check your brakes, check your suspension components, check your tires are not old, not correctly inflated etc etc. And as Cooperman says remember the car, its not modern, its small, its light, so drive within the limits.

 

It maybe something as simple as needing to service the brakes and bleed the system. It maybe a sticking caliper but until you investigate all we can do is offer advice.

[Cooperman]

I drove a 1997 MPI recently on 145/70 x 12 Falkens. It was a bit wet and the 'feel' of the car was very similar to the original Cooper 'S' on 145/80 x 10 Dunlops. In fact it drove like a 'real' Mini. The road-holding was, quite obviously, not as god as with more modern 'sticky' rubber, but the handling was superb.

 

If the brakes are pulling to one side there is an issue with the braking system itself, not the tyres, so that needs attending to.

 

However, it should not be necessary to be doing 'last minute' hard stops in normal driving. Look well down the road when driving and anticipate other traffic. That's what we who drove in the early 1960's learned by driving cars with drum brakes, cross-ply tyres and old type steering. We still made good progress, but learned to anticipate problems well in advance. Learn the limits of the car and don't drive faster than you know how to.

[Northernpower]

Its interesting the op made the first post and has not made a further comment. Is he interested in our thoughts or just happy to let the members slug it out?