Henry,
What vintage Spitfire? If you are comparing the brakes to anything modern
then you are just seeing the change that 30 years makes in brake technology.
If you changed out the front components then typically they'll be working
better then the rears anyway. And the way the physics of braking works, as
you brake hard weight is transferred to the front wheels which decreases the
likelyhood that they'll lock up anyway.
What method did you use to bleed the brakes? I'm partial to the piece of
vinyl tubing off the bleed nipple so you can see for sure that all air is
out.
I'm not sure which hoses you installed.. but if you're truly concerned get a
set of the steel braided hoses. Check the usual suppliers (email me direct
for a list if you don't have the list).
Jim
'76 Spitfire DM 76
'73 Spitfire 1500 road car... the eternal project
'78 Spitfire 1500 road car... the two year project
and many many others!
> -----Original Message-----
> From: OneTimeCRX [SMTP:hchea@orion.ramapo.edu]
> Sent: Wednesday, November 04, 1998 2:33 PM
> To: autox
> Subject: Spitfire Brakes
>
> This is pointed towards the Spitfire drivers out there:
> The brakes for my Spit are horribly mushy. There isn't a lot of pedal
> travel involved, just a lot of pedal effort for little braking power (I
> couldn't lock up the tyres if my life depended on it). The car has new
> front rotors and calipers, and new brake lines. The new brake lines
> look a bit flimsy compared to OEM, so could that be a big factor in
> mushiness? What brands/distributors of brake lines do you recommend?
> Also, I am using silicon based braking fluid, and though I know that
> silicon fluid is more compressable, but I don't think it would make the
> brakes THAT bad. I am going to rebuild the cylinders this winter (slave
> and master), and replace the brake shoes in the rear. Is there anything
> else I can do to firm up the brakes? TIA!
> --
> Cheers,
> Henry C.
> ***********************************************************
> * TAS: Physics 89 CR-X dx *
> * Email: hchea@ramapo.edu OR OneTimeCRX@aol.com *
> * OR OneTimeCRX@hotmail.com *
> ***********************************************************
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