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Weigh anchor!
Posted: Tue May 03, 2005 7:34 pm
by Peetee
Oh dear, the tales relating to Joe increase by the day.
The brakes are cr*p. There is loads of travel before they do anything. They don't feel spongy so I don't think there is air in the system. I've adjusted the pads, inspected the cylinders for leaks and topped up the master cylinder.
Any Ideas?
Posted: Tue May 03, 2005 7:41 pm
by ColinP
ok,
here's another two pwnnyworth!
What's the pedal feel like at the end of the travel? - soft/spongy or firm?
The only way I know to have excessive travel and a firm pedal is to have too big a gap betwenn the shoes and the drums. If you've adjusted the brakes (all 4 of them) so that they are just off the drums, then I'd suspect the brake cylinders. pistons and seals (or a very large air bubbble!).
Try stamping on the pedal a couple of times and keeping the m/c topped up (the pistons may free up)
Colin
If the linings are very worn, it may not be possible to adjust.
Posted: Tue May 03, 2005 8:19 pm
by bmcecosse
Sounds like air - so bleed them ! It's a good idea to bleed fresh fluid through the brakes once a year anyway - and throw the old stuff away !
Posted: Tue May 03, 2005 10:35 pm
by simmitc
There is some adjustment available on the push rod that connects the pedal to the master cylinder, accessed by lifting the plate that covers the master cylinder. BUT it is VERY rare that this will need adjustment; once set it should be correct unless the m/c has been replaced or someone has meddled. If it is adjusted too far then it can prevent the piston clearing the ports. Also, you can make this adjustment only when the rest of the brakes have been set properly.
Posted: Wed May 04, 2005 12:28 pm
by rayofleamington
If you've looked at the cylinders etc.. then it is best to adjust the shoes, then give it some really fiece presses on the pedal and adjust the shoes again. This makes sure that the shoes are centralised, otherwise you'll end up with more piston travel than you need.
brakes
Posted: Wed May 04, 2005 6:59 pm
by Willie
If your pedal feels firm when it eventually stops then try rapidly
pumping the pedal, if the free movement decreases with each pump
then your shoes are too far from the drums. Be very careful if you
are thinking of adjusting the master cylinder operating rod. There is
VERY LITTLE spare thread to play with, you could put yourself in
danger of losing all the brakes!!