Brake Servos

Post by **simonholyfield** » Sat Sep 03, 2005 3:01 pm

I have ex-BMW brake servo fitted by a reputable Minor restoration shop to my 1098 saloon.

The brakes work really well now - but they are a bit severe & need a delicate touch. I've thought about fitting harder linings to the original drums - anyone any experience of that or any other advice?

Thanks

Simon

Post by **jonathon** » Sat Sep 03, 2005 4:30 pm

Just posted a reply, which seems to have been lost in cyber space. So I will start again only more breifly.
It sounds as if the servo you have is offering too much assistance. The remote AP unit has the correct ratio for either drum or disc applications. Just because you can make an item fit, in this case your servo it doesnot make it suitable for the job. I would never promote the use of servo with drums, for the very reason you have outlined. It is all too easy to lock up drums with a servo and for this reason I feel it dangerous to follow this route. Fitting harder pads will not improve matters, it ma mean they last longer but they normally require or operate at higher temperatures ,something you wish to avoid.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sun Sep 04, 2005 5:22 pm

Drums have shoes - not pads ! No need for a servo on a Minor - it's a light vehicle - just make sure the brakes are in good order. Out of interest - where will you get the 'harder' linings for the shoes ?

Post by **jonathon** » Sun Sep 04, 2005 5:35 pm

Yes okay!!!!!!! so I made a mistake, glad to see your as pragmatic as usual

Post by **Onne** » Sun Sep 04, 2005 6:37 pm

He is probably used to disc brakes isn't he Bmcecosse.... We aren't all so lucky to find wolseley drums.....

Post by **Cam** » Mon Sep 05, 2005 12:22 am

You can get different pad temperature ranges, but I would imagine they are difficut to obtain for shoes. Although no doubt you could get them made to order from soemwhere like Ferodo, etc. Probably won't be cheap though. I would not recommend that route either for the reasons outlined above.

A servo does NOT improve your braking. It just eases your leg by assisting the pushing of the pedal.

Drum brakes are prone to overheating if too much brake pressure is applied repeatedly, so servos on drums actually INCREASE the liklihood of your brakes fading!

If I were you, I'd either stick with the original drums without a servo, upgrade to bigger drums (if you can get them) or upgrade to discs (expensive).

Post by **bmcecosse** » Wed Sep 07, 2005 9:51 pm

We used to be able to get VG95 competition linings from Ferodo - no idea if they are still available - which is why I asked the source of the harder linings !

Post by **wanderinstar** » Fri Sep 09, 2005 7:10 pm

Onne.
Some of us are even luckier and have found Riley 1.5 brakes. 9" x 2.5"

Post by **Onne** » Fri Sep 09, 2005 8:28 pm

I saw some wolseley front drums today, they came with a very nice wolseley though, so they might be a tad more expensive than the DBC

Post by **bmcecosse** » Fri Sep 09, 2005 8:39 pm

Anybody coming back with a source for the harder (VG 95 ?) linings for Minor shoes ?

Post by **wanderinstar** » Fri Sep 09, 2005 9:53 pm

I,ll have a word with the bloke I know who relines classic car brakes.