Failed SVA this morning on of all things brakes. The longitudinal ballance was wrong with not enough effort on the front wheels - funny thing is its brilliant on the track - Ah well.......

I had the balance bar adjuster disconnected and locked on full rear and if it had locked on full front it would have been fine.

Anyone know if its OK to do this? The SVA manual can be read two ways.

I also failed on the handbrake efficiency - yup you guesses a brand new Willwood setup at a good few hundred quid.

AFAIK it can be locked where you like. If it isn't locked they will adjust to the worst possible position for the tests.

Are the pads at the back new, well worn bedded ones might be better for the handbrake. B*tch to test at home though.

Good luck for the retest.

[Edited on 15/10/07 by iank]

Rules both SVA and those of self-preservation say that the front wheels must always lock before the rears.

Only time a tiny bit more rear brake is needed is in the wet, difference between wet a dry settings is usually 1 turn, 2 at most.

Set the balance bar up with the required side clearance. Then adjust the balance bar bearing so it is more ore less dead central.

To get the SVA setting -----
Try the brakes at about 10 mph on dry surface if the front brakes don't lock first adjust the balance bar 1 turn at a time until they just start to lock, then give the adjuster 1 to 2 turns more towards the front and lock this using a roll pin.

Once your are through SVA you can remove the Roll pin but always remember too much rear brake is deadly it will spin you into a lamp post in the blink of an eye.

just remember some sva guys from Bishopbriggs go on this forum a lot.
i know one who dose look on here a lot .

[Edited on 15/10/07 by thunderace]