Hi guys,

Hoping you can help with a problem I'm having with the front brakes on my 1200 (it has discs).

Some background is that I believe the previous owner did a common upgrade for us in South Africa, replacing the front struts with those from a 1400 bakkie. Which means I have Girlock calipers etc, rather than the original kit.

I have replaced the master cylinder with a brand new one (for a 1400 bakkie so as to keep it the same as would normally come with this brake system). I've bled the brakes plenty, both at the master then moving furtherest wheel to closest. The pedal doesn't sink like I would expect if there was an issue with the M/C. The rear drums are working well, locking if I stand on the pedal. The fronts though don't pull up nearly as well. And the pedal has almost no feel, its very light. I've checked the lines for a leak - no signs of one. The rubber connectors look in decent condition and don't appear to swell.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated?

Thanks

Adjust the rear brakes. If they are not properly adjusted, the pedal will feel mushy and stopping will suffer (even when you can lock up the rear brakes).

Have a mate inspect the front brake hoses while you stand on the pedal. If they are mushrooming, replace the hoses.

Lastly, check the front calipers for smooth operation. You might find that one or both are sticking.

Thanks for the reply. I'll give those things a try.

Pretty sure when I checked the hoses they weren't swelling when someone stood on the pedal, but I'll just make sure.

With regard to adjusting the rear drums, I tightened them up quite a lot when bleeding. Should I be loosening them off a bit to help the pedal feel?

Loosening the rear brakes will be detrimental to pedal feel.

Does it have a booster? Did you lose the rubber reaction disc inside the booster.. It gave me similar symptoms.

These are the symptoms?

Quote:
Sound like stock late-model boosted brakes. I have them on mine.

See Brake Booster.

Nope, doesn't have a booster. Perhaps the previous owners upgrade should have included one? Although I would imagine it is not entirely necessary.

Also I'm not sure how much tighter I can adjust the drums. I will give it a go and see what effect it has.

A booster is not neccesary and will be softer than without a booster, it is the nature of the beast.

Don't get them too tight. Just as tight as they will go and still turn the wheels freely. Back off the handbrake cable before adjusting the rear brakes.