Miata Mailing List: March 1998, Message #150

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The Miata brakes are not divided diagonally, but rather front and back.  As
useless as the the dual diagonal system is, the front/back is even worse.
So much for this so called safety enhancement.

A system that I like was on a 1972 Volvo 145E station wagon.  It was dual
triangular with each system operating both fronts and one rear.  This
requires two brake line running to each front wheel.  The Volvo had four pot
front calipers with each system handling one pair.  There were two
proportioning valves, one for each system, to the rear wheels.

I experienced a blown rear caliper seal in this car, hard on the brakes, at
65 mph, entering a cloverleaf.  The idiot light came on, the pedal travel
increased.  No problem!

I have also experienced a brake failure in a 1976 Chevette (don't ask).  In
a parking lot at 10 mph.  I almost ran over a little old lady.

Lance
Boulder