Brake questions
Discussion
Having a bit of a game with the brakes on the car this year. I have bleed them through more times than enough & they are still no good after a couple of laps.
The car is two years old in June but has not really done much work, I guess about 14 individual races of around 20 mins each. I think I read somewhere that the Hi-spec calipers are prone to problems with the caliper seals going hard or something?
The problem manifested itself yesterday mainly at the end of the long straight when the pedal went down about an inch stopping me blipping the throttle for the down shifts, after that the next few corners exhibited no noticeable extra pedal travel. I am thinking the pads may be being knocked back by slightly untrue discs, also the rear brake master cylinder was half empty, with ejected fluid all over the inside of the crash box.
Also at what point do you guys replace the pads, I have around 7mm of material left all round?
The car is two years old in June but has not really done much work, I guess about 14 individual races of around 20 mins each. I think I read somewhere that the Hi-spec calipers are prone to problems with the caliper seals going hard or something?
The problem manifested itself yesterday mainly at the end of the long straight when the pedal went down about an inch stopping me blipping the throttle for the down shifts, after that the next few corners exhibited no noticeable extra pedal travel. I am thinking the pads may be being knocked back by slightly untrue discs, also the rear brake master cylinder was half empty, with ejected fluid all over the inside of the crash box.
Also at what point do you guys replace the pads, I have around 7mm of material left all round?
Replacing the seals is a good practice every close season, that said the problem you are getting doesn't sounds like the normal seal issue. Does sound like you are getting pad knock, are you bouncing over kerbs?
Rear m/cylinder sounds knackered, don't bother with repair kits just replace it. Brakes are one of those items where cutting corners on saving a few quid isn't worth the risk imho
Cheers Rob, no not been running the curbs you know how expensive those radical diffusers are!!
I have just run her up in gear & watched the rear discs & pads in motion, there is very slight play in the discs for sure but the pads are making a continuous rattling as the discs rotate which I guess is not right & may indicate that the seals are not holding the pistons out with sufficient zeal?
Upon closer inspection there is quite a bit of corrosion on the rear pistons too, which may have damaged the seals.
I have just run her up in gear & watched the rear discs & pads in motion, there is very slight play in the discs for sure but the pads are making a continuous rattling as the discs rotate which I guess is not right & may indicate that the seals are not holding the pistons out with sufficient zeal?
Upon closer inspection there is quite a bit of corrosion on the rear pistons too, which may have damaged the seals.
As I personally witnessed that the level was spot on when the cap went on & reading Darren's third para, I favour Rob's prognosis about it being a duff pot - either that or a leaky hose connection at the back of it - hell of a job to see what's going on behind the pots through those spy holes in the crash box.
BertBert said:
Just to say, when I priced it up for (admittedly) wilwoods, a complete new caliper set was not a lot more expensive than the bits. An awful lot easier as well. That was obviously not from Radical!
Bert
i just did the seals on my calipers and it was just over £35 delivered.Bert
its a real PITA to get all of the pistons out.
Dario
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