capriturbo

I know its probably been covered countless times and the answer is probably rebleed, but I have bled the system about five times, rebuilt the master cylinder rebled the system more countless times and still have a lot of pedal travel. The brakes work just really need to press on them. Car is a lotus 7 kit car replica with mk2 escort running gear. I know theirs not much to them but really can't think of anything else! Thanks.

Alex

S1

I might be suggesting the obvious but you do have things like calipers the right way up so the bleed nipple faces upwards. It wouldn't be the first time that they have been fitted upside down, you'll never get them to bleed properly otherwise. Also try bleeding at various points along the lines, crack off any unions. Also is the Mastercylinder matched to the braking system, ie did it all come off the same model otherwise it may be the MC doesn't have the capacity required?
Also is there a linkage between the pedal and the master or does it act directly?

Dlatch!

maybe worth trying a different master cylinder, there are quite a few variations to get different pedal feel/travel
sierra one is popular but is for use with a servo most people now tend to use the fiesta mk1 (early non servo models) and some fiat master cylinders are use able too (think its fiat 124 model but don't quote me on that)

as a rule bigger bore will give you more travel but less effort and smaller bore will be less travel more effort

Retro Al

iTrader: (1)

Maybe its because you are a ginger inbred

Dlatch!

buy a engine you homo

matts1

master cylinder not up to the job?

studabear

Are the rear brake shoes correctly adjusted up?

Retro Al

iTrader: (1)

Maybe you should donate the engine from that shoebox you drive

tabetha

as a rule bigger bore will give you more travel but less effort and smaller bore will be less travel more effort [/QUOTE]

Other way around, bigger bore pushes more fluid for the same stroke, so pedal is harder to push but LESS travel, smaller bore is easier but more travel pushing less fluid for the same stroke.
tabetha

tabetha

Although you have a lot of travel, does the brake pedal feel firm or springy ?, could just be a smaller than normal master is on it, bigger master will reduce travel.
tabetha

capriturbo

The whole system was working fine last year, car was off for the summer and come MOT time needed new pads, fitted them and this is the result. Its my old mans car and he has done the bits and pieces but I'll check over whats been put, I've got a feeling the rear shoes aren't adjusting themselves so will have a play around with them and also try bleeding the separate parts of the system.

P.S AL I'd rather be inbred than bum sheep!

capriturbo

It was fine before the winter that's the strange thing, hence bleeding then changing seals on master cylinder...the pedal travels halfway down then the brakes bite, top half of the pedal isn't doing anything

Alex

tabetha

Put the e brake on, sorry hand brake for uk people, and see if it massively improves, if it does as I suspect it's down to rear shoe adjustment.
The best way to get a decent pedal with shoes is not to believe they self adjust, and do it manually, by clicking up a few notches on the rear adjuster, put drum back on and press to centre shoes again, keep repeating, till they are too stiff then back off slightly, until just a slight drag, drums are never 100% round so have high spots, do this to both sides, you'll be amazed at the difference.
If you haven't already consider some braided brake lines as this takes a lot of bulge out the std hoses do when brake pedal is pressed.
tabetha

saph4be

dodgy brake pads i had this problem once and it was the cheap pads customer supplied!

focusv8

Take the rear shoes out and put a clamp over the cylinder pistons each side to hold them fully in, then try bleeding all around again.

saph4be

try claming all 4 flexi hoses off and try byour pedal too if its solid remove each clamp till it goes bad then you have a problemthat corner!

Dlatch!

cunt!!
tbh it will prob be spare for a year yet anyway come and get it