since about half way through a track day yesterday my brake pedal seems to need pushing further to make the car stop. I pulled in and checked it all over. The fluid level is still high, there are no leaks anywhere, there is plenty of pad and disc left. the pedal box looks just fine. The brakes work well too. The are progressive. the car can be stopped very quickly from track day speeds and the wheels can lock up (as I unwittingly demonstrated to an amused marshal at the track).

the brake pedal has always been firm, it's just that now the firm zone is further away from the seat than it was.

The fact that there has been a distinct change worries me though. what could cause the pedal to need pushing further?

If it is drum brakes at the rear check your auto adjusters are auto adjusting. Also I have found that worn wheel bearings can cause this.

Cheers

Mark

has the same brake fluid been in it for a while, could have taken on some moisture.. was it better when the brakes had cooled? also get someone to check your brake hoses while you press the pedal to see if they have any bulges in them

I've got discs all round. The wheel bearings were new 4000 miles ago. I hope its not them. I'll check for play in the wheels.

I tried the car again this afternoon so the brakes were definatly cold. The fluid is less than a year old and I doubt it's this because I noticed the difference during the track day. They were fine yesterday morning. I'll find an assistant to press the pedal for me and look at the hoses.

[Edited on 17-9-2006 by smart51]

Could be brake fluid thats absorbed water (hygroscopic i think's the techy word) which has in turn boiled under track day conditions creating air bubbles in you system. Replace all fluid with new while bleeding the brakes.

Why can everyone type faster than me???????

[Edited on 17/9/06 by omega 24 v6]

quote:

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Originally posted by smart51
I've got discs all round.

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Try slackening off the hand brake cable then working the pedal on and off half a dozen times.

have you checked the pedal/master cylinder mechanicals i.e. the bolts holding all the stuff together, bushes, clevis etc: something may have loosened, worn, broke, bent etc.

is the push rod adjustable - locknut come undone?

all calipers on securley?

[Edited on 18/9/06 by 02GF74]