Joined: Dec 2017 Posts: 49 Threads: 26
Reputation:
0
HI
I have an Austin seven single seat special with hydraulic btakes ( Morris Minor). Using silicon brake fluid. The brakes have no real feeling and very poor efficency. I would describe the feeling as wooden.
Tried all the usual things like bleeding etc but still feel the same. Does anyone have any ideas?
Best Wishes
Shane
Joined: Aug 2017 Posts: 1,713 Threads: 47
Reputation:
25
Location: Auckland NZ
Car type: 36 Nippy, 31 RM, 38 Special, 24 Works Rep
I do but you probably won't like it!
Black Art Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2018 Posts: 694 Threads: 33
Reputation:
3
Location: Lot region FRANCE
How old are the shoes? I believe they harden with age - that's if they are not soaked in oil !
Years ago we has a very old Metro (admittedly with disc brakes) the brakes of which were terrible. The pads were hardly worn. Changed the pads and it was a different story.
Joined: Aug 2017 Posts: 1,641 Threads: 93
Reputation:
15
Location: Monmouthshire
I wouldn't convert my 2CV to cable brakes, neither would I convert my Seven to hydraulic. However they are operated, I wholly agree that aged shoes can be a significant problem. New soft linings offer an immediate solution.
Joined: Aug 2017 Posts: 3,392 Threads: 106
Reputation:
28
Location: Darkest Bedfordshire
03-02-2020, 08:28 AM
(This post was last modified: 03-02-2020, 09:18 AM by Chris KC.)
You're doing quite well if you have a 'hard' pedal, one of the oft-quoted downsides of silicone (n.b. with an 'e') fluid is spongey feeling due to accidental aeration.
p.s. unless your brake lines really are filled with silicon; that would explain all....
Joined: Aug 2017 Posts: 1,534 Threads: 60
Reputation:
20
Are you sure the front shoes are leading, not trailing?
Joined: Aug 2017 Posts: 3,392 Threads: 106
Reputation:
28
Location: Darkest Bedfordshire
Further to Jim's comment above, silicone fluid differs from conventional ethylene glycol based fluids in that it is not hygroscopic. At first sight this might appear to be an advantage, however if any water does get into the system, rather than being 'absorbed' into the fluid where corrosion inhibitors can do their stuff, it forms separate globules in the brake lines which may cause localised corrosion spots (not to mention vapour locks, should you succeed in generating enough heat). Either way inspection of your wheel cylinder pistons sounds like a good idea.
