Thread: Brake Balance problem with Rear Maxima brakes and Altima MC

After installing Rear Maxima brakes (semi-metallic generic pad) on my NX with AD22's up front (Axis Ultimate pads with 80% left) I also installed Altima brake master cylinder and noticed the following:

- the brakes do not bite as hard as before (I bled the brakes with fresh Motul 600 fluid)
- During braking on track (small tight track) it seems like there is too much pressure going to the rear instead of front brakes- I almost rammed a car from behind several times as the brakes did not have a good bite (last year same track I was able to brake harder with rear NX brakes and stock master cyl - same front pads)

The Question:

Should I change the master brake cylinder to the stock NX one for better front bite and better brake balance? Thanks.

I would switch back to the NX MC, yes.

Just a question, is this something normal when switching to the altima MC? I thought it was suppose to have better bias and increase braking. I want to at some point switch if it helps over all braking but i never heard anything like this before. Or is this case a personal preference?

The Altima MC has more rear bias than the B chassis MC. The use of it was to correct for heavy front bias existing with Wilwood or other big brake kits (designed to work with stock rears) coupled with the large Maxima rears. I'm not sure if it is necessary or advantageous to use it with the stock NX fronts and Maxima rears, although it certainly makes sense to use it in theory.

I did the Altima MC and Maxima rear brakes at the same time and noticed a huge increase in stopping force because the rear brakes were actually doing something now. But if you have too much bias in the rear, you should switch back. This isn't normal from what I've heard, although I don't know the experiences of others who really track their cars.

Are you using AD22's in the front or big brakes like Willwoods?

I have the Wilwood 11" kit up front.

I suspect that Altima MC works bettwer with big brake kit like yours, with regular AD22 I suspect NX MC will be favorable. I will let you know, will change it and hit the track on Sunday. Thanks.

So, I'm just wondering what was the outcome of switching back? Did you ever track down the problem?

Actually I switched back to my NX MC and ended up doing 7 more tracks on it this season, it seems that my brake pads (front: axiss ultimate and rear: generic pads) work much more effectively (adequate front bias) on the track.

Conclusion: I guess it is better to run stock Altima MC with BBK or race pads on NX brakes up front , otherwise stick to NX MC.

Great, thanks for the follow up response... I was thinking about changing out my stock B14 SE-R MC with an Altima unit. I have AD22's on the '96 right now and I think the MC is going (need to test it)... I don't have any plans to upgrade to a BBK but would like to upgrade the rears. I guess your experience answers my question... I'll skip the Altima MC and use an NX one instead.