How Hard Should The Brake Pedal Be?

[The Great Fandango]

Hi guys,

A potential buyer viewed Muriel at the weekend and proceeded to tell me "you obviously have air in the brake pipes as the brake pedal seems to have more movement than expected - should be rock hard - I'd personally bleed the system again"

Remembering back to my days of test driving other Westies before I finally bought this one I reckon they were all about the same and my braking on trackdays such as Mallory, Cadwell, Harewood and Coltishall has never given cause for concern. I also personally bled the system 12 months ago so I'm a perfectionist when it comes to anything to do with the car - I know there were no air pockets. Pads are not showing any sign of wear either (Green Stuff front, Ferrodo Fast Road Rear)

Must admit, I have always had to push a little harder than in my tintop but that's to be expected from such a small (non servo assisted) brake cylinder?

Just wondered is there anyone who does have a "rock hard brake pedal in their Westfield? Got me thinking that's all...

Best regards

Kyle

[peterg]

Not rock hard in my old Westie prob about 1/2 inch of initial travel then firm but not rock hard and as you said you have to puch more firmly as it's not servoed....

now if you want rock hard, my racecar has about 1/2 inch of travel in total...makes modulating it a bit tricky sometimes  

[Bananaman]

Mine rock hard ( ) but i do have AP all round, seem to remember that my previous cars break pedal was quite soft in comparison..................

[Shovey]

I have very little experience to be able to comment here, but I too would like to read what the 'experienced' owners have to say.

My brakes have been recently bled and I have Mintex pads fitted on the front (live axle on rear) - to my mind they are still soft

Mate of mine has a near new Caterham (discs all round) and he's not experiencing crisp/firm braking either. Even after bleeding his brakes are still the same. Are we expecting too much

look fwd to hearing the general consensus

Al

[JeffC]

mine goes soft after a bit of action           and needs bleeding every track day

I cant get mine rock hard     despite bleeding and pressure bleeding , I have about an inch of travel but the pedal still has movement down..

My pals was rock hard I noticed when I had a go of his    but he had Ap 4 pots and vented discs.. didnt have the same feel as mine but I can imagine felt good once you got used to it..  

we are talking about brake pedals here yes        

[a4gom]

sounds right to me

[Al Yupright]

mine goes soft after a bit of action           and needs bleeding every track day

I cant get mine rock hard     despite bleeding and pressure bleeding , I have about an inch of travel but the pedal still has movement down..

My pals was rock hard I noticed when I had a go of his    but he had Ap 4 pots and vented discs.. didnt have the same feel as mine but I can imagine felt good once you got used to it..  

we are talking about brake pedals here yes        

Are you turning into Mark Stanton??

[JeffC]

oops never noticed   

                             

[GuyH]

Rock hard is better for heeling-and-toeing no doubt.

Strange thing is why people naturally think you get more feel when the pedal moves a little. Carroll Smith makes an interesting claim in 'Drive to Win : he says the human brain is much better at modulating and controlling pressure against an immovable surface than it is at controlling the extension of the leg. In other words, you will always have better control on a pedal that doesn't move at all.

[peterg]

Guy, I think it's a perception thing you (ie me) need to feel the pedal move a little initially (just a bit of 'give') to know that when it goes hard you're at the point where you can give it some extra pressure, I agree about the heel n toe bit but I prefer that tiny bit of movement just to reassure me the pedal isn't seized        

[oioi]

mine isnt rock hard. definately not as hard as some others ive driven.    im not sure if the peddle box is flexing  tried bleeding brakes and never much success.  stops fine tho.

[chazpowerslide]

Mine is rock solid.

I have Hi Spec 4 pots at the front/9" drums at the back and an AP master cylinder.

Before the AP cylinder the pedal was firm but had about 30mm of travel.

Chaz.

[Guest]

Should be rock hard in my opinion ....... , if its a soft as some of the floor mounted pedaled cars i have tried ,it would scare me , i have a little movement but basically rock hard ...........

[Shovey]

harv

so do you have an uprated system? (ie aerated discs + 4 pot callipers)

is it really possible to achieve such firm brakes from a live axle car like mine

[BuGsBuNnY]

Same here, mine has about an inch of travel before it really bites. AP master cylinder and westfield 4-pots on the car. NO amount of bleeding can get it rock hard with no initial travel.

Non-servoed cars seem to behave like this imho, however, it's a matter of perception more than anything else.