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Author: Subject: New Owner... Teething troubles...
Sterillium

posted on 12/4/17 at 06:46 PM Reply With Quote
New Owner... Teething troubles...

Hi Chaps...

Apologies for the barrage of questions again, but I am having a little bit of bother, in fact, bother enough to make me consider selling up even though I have only had my Viento a couple of weeks...

Main bother:

Braking... the non-servo brakes seem to need a LOT of a push to slow me down and often it seems to shift from "not really slowing down" to "screech and skid to a halt" with little warning. This is also an issue for me, because despite (finally!) fitting into a kit car, the low position (surprisingly lower than my old TVR) makes braking quite difficult as I have a pretty much destroyed knee.

Do we think my brakes are set up a bit wrong? (The brake pedal is well forward of the other two pedals too and I dislike this).

Should I consider having a servo put in?

Secondary bother:

Whenever I put my main beam on, the third fuse from the left in the little line of fuses behind the dash, blows. It's fine on sidelights and fine on full beam. But moving the stalk up from sidelights to main, blows it... (it blows 5s right up to 25s).

Forgive my inexperience, I jumped for this car sight unseen because I missed two in the summer due to being quite ill.

[[I am located in Devon for any nearby enthusiasts]]



[Edited on 13/4/17 by Sterillium]

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mark chandler

posted on 12/4/17 at 07:42 PM Reply With Quote
Brakes, sounds like you have some cheap pads in there, forget EBC rubbish put in our Mintex 1144's ferodo equivalents, if you still have to press to hard look at altering the pivot point, move it closer to the rod or vice versa to improve the leverage or fit a smaller diameter master cylinder. If your knee is really weak fit an inline servo from a p6 rover or similar and see how you get on.

Electrics sounds like a poor wiring, could be a damaged stalk mashing into an earth so check out with a test light.

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Shooter63

posted on 12/4/17 at 07:47 PM Reply With Quote
I'll only comment on the brakes, if this is your 1st non servo car the amount of pressure needed to make the brakes work seems high until you get used to it, another factor is the brake pads,my car has wilwood front calipers, when I got it the brakes were crap, they had poly matrix pads, I changed to hawk and the difference is unbelievable, for a few quid you can change the total feel of the car.

Shooter

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Banana

posted on 12/4/17 at 08:01 PM Reply With Quote
Im still struggling to get used to the non servo setup.
I have Mintex 1144s, but my concern is the amount of extra travel/force required to stop. That split second could make all the difference in an emergency stop. Not so much on an issue on track though.

I know there are a few threads on fitting a smaller bore M/C, but what is the general consensus on the best to go for in terms of compatibility with existing Ford pipes etc?

Also - get some pictures up of your car

[Edited on 12/4/17 by Banana]

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james h

posted on 12/4/17 at 08:09 PM Reply With Quote
I seem to remember somebody saying a fiesta m/c was a good choice, as it was about 3mm smaller in diameter than the sierra one.

In terms of brake pads, I changed from Wilwoods 'smart' pads to Mintex 1144s, there was a noticeable improvement. I did get a lot of squeal though, although some shims helped.

As mentioned, change the pivot point if you can.

On my Indy, the push rod is a piece of threaded bar with locknuts - if you've similar, adjusting this should bring your pedal in line with the others. I set mine so I could (attempt) heel and toe.

James

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Sterillium

posted on 12/4/17 at 08:58 PM Reply With Quote
Thanks so far, chaps...

Regarding the brakes - I will get the pads changed, where do you lot normally buy them from?

But the threaded bar going across the pedal doesn't LOOK like it can adjust to put the pedal back in line with the others without putting the brakes on a bit...?

I'm a bit out of my depth with the wiring, not really sure what I am looking for, but I am going to try and hunt down someone local to help me.

Can anyone link me to a suitable servo? The only one I can find is out of stock.

It's a 3.5 Rover V8 Viento.

[I put photos of the car in the other thread!]

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Sterillium

posted on 12/4/17 at 09:03 PM Reply With Quote
These little fellas? >>>>>> MINTEX FRONT BRAKE PADS MDB1175 FOR LUEGO VIENTO 2003-
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Ugg10

posted on 12/4/17 at 09:30 PM Reply With Quote
Iirc the Sierra mc is 15/16" whereas most non servo mc's are usually 3/4", this gives more travel helping increase control/feel. I have used mk1/2 escort non servo mc's before but have just ordered a Suzuki sj413 one (from India on eBay) as a more modern replacement.





---------------------------------------------------------------
1968 Ford Anglia 105e, 1.7 Zetec SE, Mk2 Escort Workd Cup front end, 5 link rear
Build Blog - http://Anglia1968.weebly.com

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Sterillium

posted on 12/4/17 at 09:35 PM Reply With Quote
There really is a lot of travel - and with size 12 feet, it makes it very awkward.

I think I would prefer the sharper feel of a servo with a shorter travel... also, the brake lights only come on at "full press" which is pretty unhelpful for anyone following behind, so I think I need to adjust / replace the sensor there too.

As an aside - could I bring the accelerator up to a similar level to the brake by shortening the cable at the pedal end? Or is that not as simple as that...?

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Banana

posted on 12/4/17 at 09:37 PM Reply With Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Ugg10
Iirc the Sierra mc is 15/16" whereas most non servo mc's are usually 3/4", this gives more travel helping increase control/feel. I have used mk1/2 escort non servo mc's before but have just ordered a Suzuki sj413 one (from India on eBay) as a more modern replacement.


Do you happen to know the bore and pipe fitting sizes for the Suzuki MC?
Would you recommend?

[Edited on 12/4/17 by Banana]

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Banana

posted on 12/4/17 at 09:41 PM Reply With Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Sterillium
There really is a lot of travel - and with size 12 feet, it makes it very awkward.

I think I would prefer the sharper feel of a servo with a shorter travel... also, the brake lights only come on at "full press" which is pretty unhelpful for anyone following behind, so I think I need to adjust / replace the sensor there too.

As an aside - could I bring the accelerator up to a similar level to the brake by shortening the cable at the pedal end? Or is that not as simple as that...?


I had to tilt my throttle further back, as my size 11s kept hitting it when pressing the brake.

You can adjust the out cable length at the carbs id assume.

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Sterillium

posted on 12/4/17 at 09:44 PM Reply With Quote
quote:
I had to tilt my throttle further back, as my size 11s kept hitting it when pressing the brake.

You can adjust the out cable length at the carbs id assume.


I'm the opposite, the accelerator pedal much further away than the brake, so I can hardly get my foot back and onto the brake in time. (Along with the brake needing about 500lbs of pressure to achieve anything!).

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Ugg10

posted on 12/4/17 at 09:54 PM Reply With Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Banana
quote:
Originally posted by Ugg10
Iirc the Sierra mc is 15/16" whereas most non servo mc's are usually 3/4", this gives more travel helping increase control/feel. I have used mk1/2 escort non servo mc's before but have just ordered a Suzuki sj413 one (from India on eBay) as a more modern replacement.


Do you happen to know the bore and pipe fitting sizes for the Suzuki MC?
Would you recommend?

[Edited on 12/4/17 by Banana]


Bore is 3/4" or 19mm in metric, will know the pipe fittings when it arrives but hoping it is the usual m10x1.0. Should be here in the next couple of weeks. Mounting holes are closer on the sj so will need an adaptor plate or redrill the holes.

Links

Escort one

Ford Escort mk2 Master Cylinder bulkhead mounted.

Sj413 one

NEW SUZUKI SJ413 SJ410 SAMURAI GYPSY BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER #G208 (CODE 1427)

[Edited on 12/4/17 by Ugg10]

[Edited on 12/4/17 by Ugg10]





---------------------------------------------------------------
1968 Ford Anglia 105e, 1.7 Zetec SE, Mk2 Escort Workd Cup front end, 5 link rear
Build Blog - http://Anglia1968.weebly.com

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ian locostzx9rc2

posted on 13/4/17 at 05:52 AM Reply With Quote
Maybe worth putting your location in your post a fellow locoster near maybe able to help sort the car
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Sterillium

posted on 13/4/17 at 08:57 AM Reply With Quote
quote:
Originally posted by ian locostzx9rc2
Maybe worth putting your location in your post a fellow locoster near maybe able to help sort the car


Good idea... I am located in Devon.

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SteveWallace

posted on 13/4/17 at 09:52 AM Reply With Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Sterillium
Thanks so far, chaps...

Regarding the brakes - I will get the pads changed, where do you lot normally buy them from?

But the threaded bar going across the pedal doesn't LOOK like it can adjust to put the pedal back in line with the others without putting the brakes on a bit...?

[I put photos of the car in the other thread!]


Are you sure that you are not looking at the bias bar? The threaded bars (two if you have a dual circuit system) to adjust the resting position of the pedal are the ones that come out of the back of the pedal and goe through the rubber gators into the master cylinder. i.e. its not the fat threaded horizontal bar that goes through the pedal in this picture that you need to adjust, but the ones that stick out of the two gators.

Description
Description


As regards braking force, as already said, you have to apply quite a lot of force if you don't have a servo and it can feel like they are not working properly. I have the standard Sierra callipers and pads on mine and I can still lock the wheels. If your brake lights are not coming on straight away and they work off a pressure switch in the line (rather than a micro switch on the pedal), then maybe part of the problem is that you have air in the system.

[Edited on 13/4/17 by SteveWallace]





"I know every nut and bolt and cog in that car, I built it myself" - The Prisoner, 1967

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Sterillium

posted on 13/4/17 at 11:35 AM Reply With Quote
Thanks Steve - I think you are absolutely right, its the bias bar I can see and I don't think it's set up quite right, I am going to take it to someone to have a look at put it up on their rollers to test it.

The brake sensor is in the back somewhere apparently, not at the pedal, so maybe air in the system is causing it to come on only when pressed very hard.

I will have a closer look at the adjustment of the brake pedal in a bit.

It also looks like the accelerator pedal could be hanging a bit low too (further widening the gap between the resting positions of the clutch / accelerator pedals). It appears that I could pull the cable an inch or so tighter where it sits in the little bracket in engine bay... and that might help.

I'm still at a loss to the headlamp fuse repeatedly popping though!

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mcerd1

posted on 13/4/17 at 12:15 PM Reply With Quote
if its got a pressure switch for the brake lights you may be better off just changing it to a switch on the pedal (like most tin tops use - so lots of donor ones to pick from)
the pressure switches are easier to fit, but can be susceptible to air locks and if they die you've got to re-bleed everything


If you've got a twin MC setup with a bias bar there is a good chance you'll have a large bore one and a small bore one - its quite common for these to be connected the wrong way round (sending most of your braking effort to the back wheels)
or for the bias bar to be setup wrong so that its locked in place and therefore can't give you any bias to either axle
(these use the same generic MC's as most motorsport applications so are easily available in a range of sizes)

this might help:
https://www.merlinmotorsport.co.uk/images/brakeclutchpartsl/Merlin%20Motorsport%20OBP.pdf


After all that if you still really want a servo you'll probably need a dual circuit remote type - CBS sell these, but they aren't small or cheap....
(you could use a pair of single ones)


as for your fuse issue there isn't much you can do except get the test light / multi-meter out and methodically trace the fault...

[Edited on 13/4/2017 by mcerd1]





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Ivan

posted on 13/4/17 at 05:08 PM Reply With Quote
The problems you have might seem major to you but are really quiet minor and should be easy to fix. First the brakes - as said by others, if you have a balance bar with two master cylinders first check that the smaller one is connected to the front brakes, if so bleed the front and rear brakes. What ever you do don't interfere with the balance until you get someone who knows what they are doing to help you - brake testing rollers are no good for setting the balance up. If the smallest master cylinder is bigger than 3/4 inch get a smaller one for the front brakes.

If your knee won't stand for unassisted brakes get a servo system.

The accelerator pedal should be easy to adjust, move or bend to the right location, just make sure the throttles open fully and close fully in the normal travel of the pedal and can't stick open.

A problem you might have with the brakes that might explain the sudden on off of the brakes is blocked flexible brake hoses, this can be caused by swelling of the rubber caused by some brake fluids (especially the wrong grade of silicon fluid) the hose opens at high pressure suddenly increasing the brake effectiveness from almost no brakes to almost fully-on brakes. This also makes bleeding almost impossible to get right. A quick check is to disconnect the brakes one at a time at each caliper - gently press the pedal and see if fluid pumps out of the disconnected hose - if not it's blocked - you will have to bleed the brake after this test.

With respect to the fuse - an honest auto-electrician is you answer here if you don't have the skill to sort it out yourself or a friend who knows what they are doing.

Before you make any real changes get someone who knows these cars to drive it and see if what you think is bad is just normal and just needs you to adapt.

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Sterillium

posted on 13/4/17 at 05:14 PM Reply With Quote
Well, I still can't see any way to adjust the pedals in terms of how close to the driver they sit.... so I will leave that to an expert next week.

The bias bar seems out of line too.

Regarding the fuse that blows when I put main beam on - this (pic below) is the little plastic clip of wires that plugs in behind the stalk that operates the lights... should that loose wire be going somewhere?!


Help!

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Sterillium

posted on 13/4/17 at 05:19 PM Reply With Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Ivan
The problems you have might seem major to you but are really quiet minor and should be easy to fix. First the brakes - as said by others, if you have a balance bar with two master cylinders first check that the smaller one is connected to the front brakes, if so bleed the front and rear brakes. What ever you do don't interfere with the balance until you get someone who knows what they are doing to help you - brake testing rollers are no good for setting the balance up. If the smallest master cylinder is bigger than 3/4 inch get a smaller one for the front brakes.

If your knee won't stand for unassisted brakes get a servo system.

The accelerator pedal should be easy to adjust, move or bend to the right location, just make sure the throttles open fully and close fully in the normal travel of the pedal and can't stick open.

A problem you might have with the brakes that might explain the sudden on off of the brakes is blocked flexible brake hoses, this can be caused by swelling of the rubber caused by some brake fluids (especially the wrong grade of silicon fluid) the hose opens at high pressure suddenly increasing the brake effectiveness from almost no brakes to almost fully-on brakes. This also makes bleeding almost impossible to get right. A quick check is to disconnect the brakes one at a time at each caliper - gently press the pedal and see if fluid pumps out of the disconnected hose - if not it's blocked - you will have to bleed the brake after this test.

With respect to the fuse - an honest auto-electrician is you answer here if you don't have the skill to sort it out yourself or a friend who knows what they are doing.

Before you make any real changes get someone who knows these cars to drive it and see if what you think is bad is just normal and just needs you to adapt.


Good advice - thank you.

I have it booked in to see a chap who has built a few kit cars, next week.

I think the bias bar has been unscrewed and I think it might have been done without any ill intent when it was being trailered down to me, either because it was in the way or because the transporter was trying to adjust the pedals to fit in (the seat was far forwards and a bit stuck...)

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Paul_Arion

posted on 13/4/17 at 06:33 PM Reply With Quote
Eek - i think to be honest looking at wires connected together with a little bit of electrical tape over the top that i'd start off by redoing every connection you can find with soldering and heat shrink tubing at the very least. Might even be worth at some stage undoing all of the tape over the loom and checking what lurks beneath
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Sterillium

posted on 13/4/17 at 06:38 PM Reply With Quote
It's a bit spaghetti under there - although lots is neater and well labelled, this bit is particularly messy.

I can't get to the car to check right now, but I'm keen on ordering some new pads, do you think these will fit??

MINTEX REAR BRAKE PADS MDB1287 FOR LUEGO VIENTO 2003-


https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/141782201885

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mcerd1

posted on 13/4/17 at 06:49 PM Reply With Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Sterillium
I can't get to the car to check right now, but I'm keen on ordering some new pads, do you think these will fit??
MINTEX REAR BRAKE PADS MDB1287 FOR LUEGO VIENTO 2003-
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/141782201885


depends on the calipers that are fitted

sierra rear calipers need the MDB1287 pads

but the front can be either the MDB1287 (for 260mm discs)
or the MDB1175 or MDB1883 (240mm discs)

look them up here to compare sizes etc.

http://mintexvrm.com/WebForms/frmPartEnquiry.aspx





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Sterillium

posted on 14/4/17 at 02:24 PM Reply With Quote
This is proving difficult. Any input welcomed:

Sierra REAR >>> MDB1287 pads

Sierra FRONT >>> MDB1287 (for 260mm discs)
OR >>> MDB1175 or MDB1883 (240mm discs)

I am sure that it's Sierra all round, but I can't find confirmation in the build file.

So looking at the pads on the car, I have found:

On the FRONT brake pads, the only thing I can identify is the (partial?) number: 6729370L A/F

On the REAR brake pads, I can read: Apec E1 205 00 - 1 882s
90R - 01023/231
PAD537 51B02

Despite all this info I can't locate a definitive part even on the Apec brakes website, there seems to be several "PAD537s" and none of the other number quite match up.

The rear pads, which I expected to be MDB1287 have the smaller pad on the outside, but the fronts, which I am sure are 260mm, which would make them ALSO MDB1287, have the larger 260mm pad on the outside.

Can anyone shed any light on this?

[Edited on 14/4/17 by Sterillium]

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