"but I'd always had the idea that, when there were pedal steering problems it would be better to use autobrakes. That way you concentrate only on steering and not braking."
Not sure I understand this... If there were (rudder) pedal steering problems, Rat, wouldn't you need to use differential braking? In which case, you would be automatically tripping off the autobrakes anyway(?).
"Whereas if you make the one application with yer size 11s, and you keep the pressure applied constant there will be no hydfluid going from the brakes via the return pipes back to the reservoir. It will all be locked on the supply side of the brakes."
Not familiar with the 757, but with size 11's, on your average Boeing, wouldn't the antiskid system be ejecting a considerable portion of the fluid back into the return lines, Brenoch?
Rgds.
Q.