Brake Help.....Pt. 2
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,920
Likes: 731
From: Youngstown Ohio
Brake Help.....Pt. 2
Just installed the new 1 1/8" bore master cyl. this morning on the Wilwood system in the '69....got brakes now. However, there is slightly more pedal travel than I would like (not because of the new system, same travel as before). Could this be due to an aging power booster? Or possibly low vacuum (12-13" at idle). Would a fresh one be more responsive?.....or is Hydra-Boost the way to go?......Those with Hydra-Boost, your comments?....
Last edited by C3 Stroker; Oct 22, 2005 at 02:17 PM.
C6 the C5 of tomorrow
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 6,665
Likes: 2
From: Twin Cities Minnesota
Vacuum boosers always have some slop at the top of the stroke, it's the way they are made.
I run a manual Mc with SL4's and I have about 1/4" of pedal play before they start grabbing.
I run a manual Mc with SL4's and I have about 1/4" of pedal play before they start grabbing.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,672
Likes: 1
From: New Cumberland PA
My 76 always felt like it had more pedal travel than other cars I've owned. The stock system was able to lock the tires up if pressed hard enough.
I recently rebuilt the calipers, installed new rotors, and new pads. Bleed the system and now have a good pedal. Best it's ever been. I'm just wondering how long the pedal will remain at its current position or if it will eventuall fall back dwon to where it was.
I am not sure that a new booster would have any affect on brake pedal travel.
I recently rebuilt the calipers, installed new rotors, and new pads. Bleed the system and now have a good pedal. Best it's ever been. I'm just wondering how long the pedal will remain at its current position or if it will eventuall fall back dwon to where it was.
I am not sure that a new booster would have any affect on brake pedal travel.
Instructor
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 220
Likes: 0
From: Hilton Va
C3, Do you now have a hard pedal, or do you just have brakes? The reason I ask is, My 69 has brakes but not real hard brakes. They stop the car but like your's, I have a lot of travel too. I've worked on a lot of brakes in my time (my dad owned a garage when I was young) but I have never came in contact with a car so hard to get a good pedal.
I don't think the booster has anything to do with the pedal travel. The booster just makes it hard to push or easy to push.
There is also an adjustment on the brake rod under the dash. You might try adjusting it there, but it is a bear to get to. It will take travel out of the pedal if it has play in it before it gets to the rod that goes to the master cylinder.
Keep me posted if you do get a good pedal.
I don't think the booster has anything to do with the pedal travel. The booster just makes it hard to push or easy to push.
There is also an adjustment on the brake rod under the dash. You might try adjusting it there, but it is a bear to get to. It will take travel out of the pedal if it has play in it before it gets to the rod that goes to the master cylinder.
Keep me posted if you do get a good pedal.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,920
Likes: 731
From: Youngstown Ohio
Thanks, all, for your replies......from what I gather, my brakes are actually very good by C3 standards; when applied, I have hard pedal and the Wilwoods grip better than stock....don't have to press to the floor; about 2/3's down brings the car to a jarring halt.... .it does seem to be the nature of the booster for a little slop......I noticed the same pedal action on my Trans Am which I considered to have excellent brakes!......BTW, checked the rod, no slop.........I guess I keep comparing this car to others I've owned in the past..(Mopars with "toe touch" brakes)...
