Discussion
The brakes on my 89 Turbo have had some serious attention off the previous owner, such as grooved front discs, stainless braided lines, new rear discs. However the brakes are still poor, when you first push the brake pedal the response is imediate and you would think they could stop a train, but when you go for that extra bite you find yourself having to put alot of effort into the pedal to slow the car down.
I have thought it could be :-
1) A weak vac pump
2) Leaking servo
3) Faulty non return valve on vac pipe to servo.
Has anyone experienced any of the above faults and if so what were the symptoms?
What was the cure?
Are any of the possibly required parts off another car so as to be reasonably priced?
I have a vac pump in the garage which needs reconditioning does anyone know if this is possible, and where?
Regards Mike
I have thought it could be :-
1) A weak vac pump
2) Leaking servo
3) Faulty non return valve on vac pipe to servo.
Has anyone experienced any of the above faults and if so what were the symptoms?
What was the cure?
Are any of the possibly required parts off another car so as to be reasonably priced?
I have a vac pump in the garage which needs reconditioning does anyone know if this is possible, and where?
Regards Mike
It's a little hard to tell without seeing and driving your Esprit. Have the brakes been getting worse, or were they always like this.
Brakes are a really weak point for the Esprit. You're lucky you've got some bite, mine give me no confidence, but they do stop me and mines a 1992!
Have you driven any other Esprit's as it might just be that that's how the brakes are and there's no fault.
kato
Lotus Esprit World
p.s. currently waiting for parts to completely overhaul my brakes.
Brakes are a really weak point for the Esprit. You're lucky you've got some bite, mine give me no confidence, but they do stop me and mines a 1992!
Have you driven any other Esprit's as it might just be that that's how the brakes are and there's no fault.
kato
Lotus Esprit World
p.s. currently waiting for parts to completely overhaul my brakes.
Mike,
Since the front pads do the vast majority of the braking, it's not unusual to see them being replaced at a ratio of 2:1 over the rears. I suspect that the rears were not replaced the last time the fronts were, so it's just their time.
How did the whole thing look? Were the discs all grooved or mirror shiny? If so, you may have a glazing issue as I stated above. Also, did you note the extent that the calipers are extended?
The reason I ask is that there is a spec for the minimum servicable thickness of the discs. If they are below this minimum thickness, the pistons in the calipers are not long enough to force the pads against the discs for a strong 'bite', when this happens, poor braking and some humming or other vibration can result. With so many Esprit owners using semi-metallic or other 'exotic' material in their brake pads, the wear to the discs is accelerated and they more easily wear beyond the minimums. This can happen in just two replacement cycles. Use a micrometer or vernier caliper to check these minimums.
On my car, the minimum thickness for the discs is: 11.4mm(Fr) and 9.0mm (Rr), also the pads have a minimum serviceable thickness of 3.0mm. Once any of these dimensions have been reached or exceeded, you must replace the affected component. Check your manuals for the figures applicable to your car. The serviceable minimum thickness is also often stamped right onto the disc. Happy Motoring! Jim'85TE
Since the front pads do the vast majority of the braking, it's not unusual to see them being replaced at a ratio of 2:1 over the rears. I suspect that the rears were not replaced the last time the fronts were, so it's just their time.
How did the whole thing look? Were the discs all grooved or mirror shiny? If so, you may have a glazing issue as I stated above. Also, did you note the extent that the calipers are extended?
The reason I ask is that there is a spec for the minimum servicable thickness of the discs. If they are below this minimum thickness, the pistons in the calipers are not long enough to force the pads against the discs for a strong 'bite', when this happens, poor braking and some humming or other vibration can result. With so many Esprit owners using semi-metallic or other 'exotic' material in their brake pads, the wear to the discs is accelerated and they more easily wear beyond the minimums. This can happen in just two replacement cycles. Use a micrometer or vernier caliper to check these minimums.
On my car, the minimum thickness for the discs is: 11.4mm(Fr) and 9.0mm (Rr), also the pads have a minimum serviceable thickness of 3.0mm. Once any of these dimensions have been reached or exceeded, you must replace the affected component. Check your manuals for the figures applicable to your car. The serviceable minimum thickness is also often stamped right onto the disc. Happy Motoring! Jim'85TE
G_Reaper said:
I have a vac pump in the garage which needs reconditioning does anyone know if this is possible, and where?
Regards Mike
Mike,
If you have the mechanical (belt driven)vacuum pump, you can get a direct replacement from NAPA. The part # is 64-1006.
This pump is listed as a replacement for GM Passenger Turbo Diesel applications, but is identical to, and a direct replacement for, the Lotus pump. It cost me $134.00 + $25.00 core charge (refundable). I don't believe you can acquire the parts necessary to rebuild your existing pump. Happy Motoring! Jim'85TE
G_Reaper said:
Do NAPA have a website? As I am in the UK.
Regards Mike
Mike,
Go to: www.napaonline.com . when using the parts locator, delete the '-' in the part number. look for part # 641006. Happy Motoring! Jim'85TE
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