Long brake pedal travel

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JamesW
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Long brake pedal travel

Post by JamesW »

I’ve had car (1969 Minor) laid up for 12 months. When tried to drive it found front offside wheel semi seized. Eventually managed to remove drum and replaced both slave cylinders and drum. Shoes look ok with plenty left on them. Bled brakes and adjusted shoes to lightly scuffing. However still can’t get brake pedal to feel right. First pedal pump goes to floor , second pump gives good hard pedal. Car has Lockheed servo. How do I resolve this? Suggestions??
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Bill_qaz
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Re: Long brake pedal travel

Post by Bill_qaz »

1st initial suggestion is to bleed all 4 wheels as you may have introduced air into the system
2nd have you adjusted all 4 brakes?
Regards Bill
oliver90owner
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Re: Long brake pedal travel

Post by oliver90owner »

No need to adjust the rear brakes to bleed the system. Just apply the handbrake and that will/should ensure the shoes are tight against the drums.🙂
Sleeper
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Re: Long brake pedal travel

Post by Sleeper »

"Lockheed servo" , has it been fitted in the right orientation ?
servo orientation.jpeg
servo orientation.jpeg (53.13 KiB) Viewed 2111 times

John ;-)
JamesW
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Re: Long brake pedal travel

Post by JamesW »

I’ve bled all brakes and adjusted shoes to lightly scuffing contact with drum. One question I have is this- the brake hose enters the first brake cylinder (front cylinder) at the cylinder’s TOP port and the cylinder’s BOTTOM port connects to the rear cylinder’s BOTTOM port. Is that correct? It looks like an air pocket could get trapped in front cylinder.
JamesW
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Re: Long brake pedal travel

Post by JamesW »

Regarding the servo orientation in the diagram - I assume it’s that way because the outlet port is higher than the inlet so it expels any trapped air when bleeding??
I’ll check this when I get home.
Sleeper
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Re: Long brake pedal travel

Post by Sleeper »

Not just the slave port but also the air-valve..

John ;-)
TonyTorque
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Re: Long brake pedal travel

Post by TonyTorque »

First pump to the floor then a good hard one usually points at shoe clearance more than air. Air tends to feel spongy rather than hard on the second go. Quick test, pump it up hard, wait a minute and press again. If it's long again the shoes are pulling back too far from the drums. If it stays high and firm it's more likely air. On the front each shoe has its own adjuster, so two per wheel, and both need setting. New cylinders and a new drum can need a few firm stops to settle and then another adjust. On the pipe order I'm not 100% sure of the Minor layout so I'll leave that to someone who's had one apart. If you think air is sitting in the top of that cylinder, a pressure bleeder on the reservoir often shifts it better than pedal bleeding.
JamesW
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Re: Long brake pedal travel

Post by JamesW »

I’m at home now taking a closer look at how the servo has been installed. The inlet port has been put at the top I.e. in the 12 o’clock position and the centreline of the servo is pretty much exactly horizontal and certainly not inclined. I need to do a bit of servo reorientation tomorrow. Thanks guys for the guidance…….
TonyTorque
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Re: Long brake pedal travel

Post by TonyTorque »

Good find James. Once it's turned round give the whole system a fresh bleed, servo included. Air trapped in the servo is a classic cause of a long pedal.
stephenmitchell1

Re: Long brake pedal travel

Post by stephenmitchell1 »

Brake pedal travel is an important part of vehicle safety, especially when driving in busy city traffic. Regular brake inspections and proper vehicle maintenance help ensure a smooth and safe journey. This is also important for anyone choosing a luxury chauffeur service Dubai, where passenger comfort, vehicle condition, and road safety should always come first. Professional chauffeurs should use well-maintained vehicles to provide reliable transportation for airport transfers, business meetings, and city travel.
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svenedin
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Re: Long brake pedal travel

Post by svenedin »

stephenmitchell1 wrote: ↑Sat Oct 31, 2026 2:43 pm Brake pedal travel is an important part of vehicle safety, especially when driving in busy city traffic. Regular brake inspections and proper vehicle maintenance help ensure a smooth and safe journey. This is also important for anyone choosing a luxury chauffeur service Dubai, where passenger comfort, vehicle condition, and road safety should always come first. Professional chauffeurs should use well-maintained vehicles to provide reliable transportation for airport transfers, business meetings, and city travel. Webiste: https://www.instagram.com/pilotandcar/
This very obvious AI has been reported.

Stephen
1969 1098cc Convertible “Xavier” which I have owned since 1989.

Stephen
myoldjalopy
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Re: Long brake pedal travel

Post by myoldjalopy »

This AI stuff is getting out of hand! :evil:
jagnut66
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Re: Long brake pedal travel

Post by jagnut66 »

Random AI just jumping in and joining a post on a classic car forum is indeed weird and, as myoldjalopy suggested, it makes you wonder if it's all getting a little out of control.
In some cases, todays science fiction has become tomorrows science fact, let's hope that doesn't include the Terminator movies at any stage..... :wink:
Best wishes,
Mike.
1954 Series 2: 4 door: "Sally" -- Running again, extracted from the garage, just needs the engine running fine tuning.....
1970 Triumph Herald 1200: "Hetty" -- In the garage as she's not revving properly........
1952 Morris Minor MM highlight with sidevalve engine, wants work, now also in the garage......
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svenedin
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Re: Long brake pedal travel

Post by svenedin »

It is weird I agree but the motivation in this case is to try to get people to click on a link so it is just a new kind of Spam advertising. The link has been removed by Simon our Moderator.

Stephen
1969 1098cc Convertible “Xavier” which I have owned since 1989.

Stephen
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