Jim,
Years ago as a kid just getting to understand cars I tightened up my
adjustable brake rod on the Datsun 510 I had. It seemed to improve the
effectiveness of brakes that were marginal. However, as the fluid heated up
it expanded and the brakes became self energizing. Like a snow ball rolling
down a hill the more they dragged the more heat it made, the more the fluid
expanded the harder the brakes applied etc., etc. Likely the rod is too long
still. It might appear loose when cold, but in use it heats and will it
tighten up. Do you have the spacer that goes between the firewall and the
MC? As best I recall (my car has been apart for years) there are two holes
for pedal hight. You might look there as well. All the best to you efforts.
Tom Witt B9470101
----- Original Message -----
From: <JimboAnder@aol.com>
To: <tigers@autox.team.net>
Sent: Thursday, October 31, 2002 5:19 PM
Subject: Alpine brakes
> I have consulted my best sources (John Logan, Tiger Tom) and we
haven't
> come up with an explanation for what has been happening to my brakes.
> This is the story thus far: My brake reservoir went dry because of
big
> leaks, so I took it to local mechanic and ordered a new brake reserovir
from
> Victoria British. He also discovered that the servo was leaking, so we
took
> that out and it has been sent to Tiger Tom for rebuilding, and - like many
> sunbeamers - simply bypassed the servo as, I am told, is now common
practice
> among Sunbeamers.
> We put in the new master cylinder The brake pedal was very hard but
the
> brakes performed. When I got home, three miles from the garage, my front
> brakes were dragging and smoking - locked up.
> Had the car lifted back to the garage and went through the usual
drill:
> Actuator rod too long? Nope , it was not changed. We even shortened the
> effective length by putting shims on the firewall mounting, still no joy.
> Master cylinder defective? Nope, same thing when Victoria British sent
> another new one by overnight UPS. Calipers defective? Apparently not,
since
> they worked fine before. Mechanic believes that there is a relief valve in
> the servo and that problem will solve itself when the rebuilt servo is
> re-installed. Tiger Tom disagrees and I have boundless faith in Tom.
> So, any suggestions from the group?
> Signed, Desperate (also known as Jim Anderson).
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