[DeTomaso] Trying to diagnose weak brakes

[Mike & Elizabeth Thomas]

There is probably 3-4 inches of travel at the pedal on the first pump and no change to the second or beyond.  It's hard after those 4-5 inches, does not feel like it's bleeding down.

Mike

-----Original Message-----
From: DeTomaso [mailto:detomaso-bounces at server.detomasolist.com] On Behalf Of Paul Timko
Sent: Friday, February 16, 2018 7:38 PM
Cc: List DeTomaso Forum <detomaso at server.detomasolist.com>
Subject: Re: [DeTomaso] Trying to diagnose weak brakes

How does the pedal feel with the engine off just sitting in the garage?
Does it take a lot of movement before it catches?  What about the second pump?  The pedal should have no give after the first press. High and hard.

Paul #9270

On Fri, Feb 16, 2018 at 8:51 PM Mike & Elizabeth Thomas < mbefthomas at comcast.net> wrote:

>    I've been working through trying to figure what seems like a weakness
>    in my brakes on 6328.
>
>
>    How do they feel now?  There seems like a fair bit of pedal travel
>    before they start to hook up.  Once they hook, they're fine when I'm
>    just in normal traffic and stop and go.  If I have to stomp down on
>    them, it just doesn't seem like they're biting very well.  If I have to
>    really stomp on them, I can't get any wheel to lock up at all.
>
>
>    Current setup:  the brakes are stock Girling, rebuild in 2004. they've
>    been fully bled at Les Schwab 6 months ago with DOT 3 (they wouldn't
>    use DOT 4 as it was not spec).  Yes, they were aware that there were
>    two nipples on the front, the tech that handled me has 2 or 3 Panteras
>    that come in through the year.  The flex lines were replaced with
>    stainless lines in 2004 when all of the calipers were rebuilt.  The
>    vacuum line from the engine to the tube and tube to booster is recent,
>    about 3-4 years ago.  So far as I know, the proportioning valve has
>    been gutted, but not really sure nor know how to be sure.  The master
>    is an early `80's GM/Cadillac replaced about 10 years ago, the same was
>    in the car when I bought it in `04.  I've just replaced the Porterfield
>    R4S pads.  It was rather cold day when I went out to burn them in so
>    first speculation is that they are not fully `seasoned'.  However, they
>    feel about the same as the previous 10-yr old R4S's, and that wouldn't
>    explain the pedal travel.  The booster is original so far as I know.
>
>
>    First question, how much pedal travel should there be before the pedal
>    feels resistance the brakes start to take up?
>
>
>    So, what else can I check/do out to figure out why my brakes seem so
>    lazy.  I will try to re-season them when the weather gets warmer, but
>    that won't deal with pedal travel.  When brake booster starts to fail,
>    how does that happen?  Gradually or all at once?
>
>
>    Your input is appreciated and eagerly awaited.  I'd like to get this
>    figgered before the season starts as everything else is running a well
>    as it ever has.
>
>
>    Thanks
>
>    Mike Thomas
>
>    Pres., Panteras Northwest
>
>    206-795-3302
>
>    Yellow '74 #6328
>
>    [1]www.panterasnorthwest.com
>
> References
>
>    1. http://www.panterasnorthwest.com/ 
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