I've been trying to think the best way to sort out my brakes. The rears lock-up before the fronts so it will fail IVA. I did think about fitting the Sierra compensator gizmo that sits under the rear of the car but am not sure if it would do any good on the kit.

After some more research, I realised that I think I have connected the MC incorrectly. I have a connection from the rear outlet going to a 'T'-piece at the rear then on to the slave cylinders. The front I have connected to the front outlet under the MC then off to another 'T'-piece for the front calipers. But I also have a third outlet on the top at the front which has a bleed nipple fitted.

The way I understand it is that the one front outlet goes to one caliper at the front and the other to the other side caliper. My question is, if I re-make the connections so there is a single pipe to each caliper from the front 2 outlets, is this likely to make the front brakes more effective? (i.e. lock-up before the rears)

Hope that makes sense

JB

Short answer... No.

Oh!

So any ideas what to do next then?

It may be that because the discs and pads are new that they need bedding in because the 9" drums at the rear are well worn-in but with new shoes.

I need to sort something out. I have heard that EBC 'green stuff' pads will improve the braking?

Front is Cortina calipers BTW.

JB

Are you absolutely certain there is no air in the front system?

Must admit, I did bleed it myself using the solo-bleed kit i have, but I may have a bit in still, can't be sure. I think I will get a second pair of hands and do it the old school way.

Also, I have just been reading a recent thread regarding fitting an adjustable compensator in the rear line. Is this viable/acceptable for IVA?

Having just put new disks and 1144 pad on kermit I can honestly say that to begin with the new brakes were truly frightening until I had done a couple of hundred miles

Maybe they are still green and need be bedded in.

Maybe that will help, but how the heck do I bed in brakes on a car that's not iVA'd yet?

Rear line sounds right but the front shouldn't be tee'd off, mine isnt anyway, mine has a separate line to each caliper, front bottom and side.

I would then put some new shoes in the rear

That's what I would do any way

Cheers

Rich

there should be a pipe to either side at the front from the mc. the problem with the rears locking up first is simply because you have 9inch drums. fit the ford bias valve and the problem should be solved.

A tee fitting dosen't have any effect on brake efficiency, you can plumb the front brakes anyway you want it will make zero difference to the front-rear brake balance.



[Edited on 13/9/11 by britishtrident]

If you have Girling brakes you can fit smaller bore wheel cylinders from an Escort Mk3 1.4 Saloon.

Sierra cylinders are either approx 22mm or 21mm the Escort cylinder is just under 18mm.


if you have Teves brakes it may be possible to fit Fiesta Mk1 wheel cylinders.

Brakes International web site will have the cylinders at good price.

To avoid confusion when ordering brake parts it is best to use the term wheel cylinders rather than slave cylinders.

quote:

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Originally posted by ashg
there should be a pipe to either side at the front from the mc. the problem with the rears locking up first is simply because you have 9inch drums. fit the ford bias valve and the problem should be solved.

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Sierra valve is a G sensing valve and is not suitable.

they are completely suitable if mounted correctly. at iva if you have a g sensing valve they have to test the breaks by driving the car. they still apply different amounts of pressure using their measuring device but they can only look to see if the back wheels lock up. been there done it got the t-shirt and all that.....

first used on the 1960s Austin 1800 Girling G valves are a clever bit of kit but really not suitable for the brakes on a home build and they won't operate at all durring normal roller brake test.
The simplest and best solution is just fit smaller bore rear cylinders, the next simplest solution is a line pressure shut off valve.

Thanks for all the good replies guys

How do I know what wheel cylinders I have on my rears? I know I bought them new but that was around 3 years ago!! And I am not sure what they are. Also, what size would be suitable i.e. how much smaller would I need to go?

Sorry for all the questions, but I really want to try and cover all bases before the dreaded IVA

JB

Hi

You say the rears lock up before the fronts, (mine do as well)

If we are talking about a 7 style of car, most of the problem i see, is not the brakes being to efficent, but the fact
that there is minimul weight over the back axle, and so the rears skip about

On my car the problem is so bad that every MOT we have had 2-3 guys literally sitting on the back to get the rear brakes to work on the rollers,
This year the guy took my car out for a quick blap, and was quite happy

My car was pre iva etc, so i do not know the actual criteria

Steve

Thanks Steve.

Maybe I should just fill the tank to the brim and try again as there is only about 1 1/2 gallons in there at the moment? Perhaps some 'baggage' added for the test would help too?

[Edited on 14/9/11 by Daddylonglegs]