Suzuki Alto Brake Problem

petrolHead1 · October 15, 2016

Hi all, I bought a 2002 Japanese Alto 1 month back. This car was alright until yesterday night when I had to panic break to avoid a collision. I was travelling at around 40 kmph and the vehicle skid when I applied break. It felt like all the wheels locked up and the vehicle slid about 2 meters. The steering didn't work at this time. However, the car performs okay during slow breaking. Did any of you guys face this problem?? If so, how do you solve this. FYI, the ABS light doesn't come on in the dashboard.

aamarakoon · October 15, 2016

Is the car equipped with ABS? If so, the ABS indicator should light up at ignition on and go out after starting.

Rumesh88 · October 19, 2016

On 10/17/2016 at 3:10 AM, petrolHead1 said:

Apparently its not equipped. Can I install an ABS system to the car??

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If the car did not come originally with ABS then you've got to accept it as it is. ABS does not make braking efficiency any better except when the wheels are locked. So it is just a matter of being careful and knowing the limits of the car when driving.

The Stig · October 19, 2016

Wheels locking up and not being able to steer is the main reason why abs is fitted to cars, given that your car doesnt have abs what you noticed is quite normal.

However your remedy to the problem doesn't make sense at all, your wheels locked up since your brakes were able to stop the tires from rotating. That means there shouldn't be anything wrong with the brakes, no matter what you do to the brakes things will not get better. You need to identify the root cause of the problem, which is tires not being able to cope up with braking force. Since fitting abs is not practical the remedy is actually to change tires to a more gripier and softer compound.

Rumesh88 · October 15, 2016

On 10/15/2016 at 7:32 AM, petrolHead1 said:

FYI, the ABS light doesn't come on in the dashboard.

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You mean the ABS indicator does not come on at the initial start?

petrolHead1 · October 17, 2016

I checked with my local mechanic. He says that this car is not equipped with ABS . I find it hard to believe since the vehicle came even with dual airbags. During the weekend I changed some parts in the braking system including brake shoes and brake pads and faced the front disks. However the problem remains.

petrolHead1 · October 17, 2016

On 10/15/2016 at 2:11 PM, Rumesh88 said:

You mean the ABS indicator does not come on at the initial start?

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No it doesn't.

petrolHead1 · October 17, 2016

On 10/15/2016 at 3:06 PM, aamarakoon said:

Is the car equipped with ABS? If so, the ABS indicator should light up at ignition on and go out after starting.

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Apparently its not equipped. Can I install an ABS system to the car??

aamarakoon · October 18, 2016

Too much trouble, isn't it? Better to sell this and buy one with ABS. Is your brake balanced? Say if one wheel has more brake power the car can skid. Has happened to me.

petrolHead1 · October 20, 2016

After driving sometime with the new braking system I feel a little bit of a difference. It feels more harder and progressive. The skidding is also reduced (Tested at around 50 kmph and skid about 2 feet). I guess as most you guys said, driving safety is the only option. Thanks a lot guys for your awsome replies!!! Cheers!!!

petrolHead1 · January 8, 2017

Hi guys, do you know the approx. price of the front disk rotors (both sides)? Since this vehicle has an Indian version, will I be able to use them?

Crosswind · January 9, 2017

On 1/8/2017 at 2:29 PM, petrolHead1 said:

Hi guys, do you know the approx. price of the front disk rotors (both sides)? Since this vehicle has an Indian version, will I be able to use them?

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First of all, DO NOT economize on anything related to brakes. Always use genuine parts that are made for your car, unless you want to be this guy:

Edited January 9, 2017 by Crosswind