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MG MGB Technical - Brakes + Stopping Power

Yet another silly question. I redid my brakes all around. Bled out all the air (atleast I think so), and adjusted the back brakes. I have a pretty solid pedal, although if i push very hard it will reach almost to the floor. When i was out for a test drive, i noticed that my stopping distance is quite long.

Should the brakes stop like a "regular" car? Should i have any excess movement in the pedal? Could i still have some air in the lines?

Thanks everyone.

Ken
70 B
Ken Harris

The excess movement sounds like you still have air in the system. Did you bleed both front caliper pistons? I use a Mityvac others prefer the gunson EZ bleed....No matter what you use or which method...ensure that you're gettting clean clear fluid out of each bleed point and be sure to start with the point furthest from the MC.
R. L Carleen

Ken...yep...second R.L.'s comments. That is too much travel. I think 3-5" inches travel max should be it. Someone else correct me here. Are you using DOT 4 or DOT 5 (Silicone)? The Silicone might give a slightly softer pedal but that's what I use and my pedal travel is still only 3-4 inches, if I remember right. When you say re-did brakes all around....new pads? new discs? new cylinders? new master cylinder? Guess you would have said so if you had done cylinders. I bled a couple times with silicone using MityVac.
J.T. Bamford

I would be upset if I had more than 1 inch travel - properly adjusted and bled the brake pedal should be not travel more than this before the brakes are fully on - yes you will be able to push it another inch or so but all you are doing then is locking the brakes even more firmly.
Chris at Octarine Services

Ken
I use Gunson Ezebleed but good as it is, it can leave air in the copper pipe feeding the front calipers. There is an upturned U shape to the pipe where it connects to the flexible pipe. Air can get trapped at the top of the U. To remove it use the old fashioned method of tubing from the bleed nipple into a jar with fluid in it. Open the bleed nipple and give the brake pedal two really good sharp shoves. This should get that remaining bit of air out of the system. Then do the other side. Good luck, Peter
Peter Scott

Ken, did you rebuild your master cylinder as well? Sometimes it is possible to get air trapped in the master and it may need to be bled independently, before bleeding the rest of the system. It's not as likely with a single reservoir system, but can still lead to a soft pedal.
Jeff Schlemmer

This thread was discussed between 21/04/2004 and 26/04/2004

MG MGB Technical index

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