Improved brake pedal feel suggestions...

[TheKangarooMan]

Just got a little Daihatsu Sirion Rally II. Lovely little thing. Ride's a bit harsh, but it has good get-up and I don't mind the suspension. One thing that's getting me is the brake feel. The brakes work great, but the pedal feel is pretty mushy and soft. Not as immediate as I'd like it to be. I just bled all 4 brakes too. Any suggestions on how to improve brake pedal feel out there and get that "bite"?

[AndySheff]

Braided hoses.

[TheKangarooMan]

Thanks for the quick reply. I've heard of braided and rubber lines? Is there any difference?

[TooMany2cvs]

AndySheff said:

Braided hoses.

If the old hoses are so shagged that they're swelling under normal road braking pressures, they need binning anyway as a matter of urgency. But if they're good, braiding won't make any difference.

It's probably just that Daihatsu didn't build cars for enthusiasm, so the pedal just is a bit mushy by design, so as not to frighten Mrs Miggins.

[jas xjr]

Maybe a change of brake fluid might help

[TooMany2cvs]

TheKangarooMan said:

Thanks for the quick reply. I've heard of braided and rubber lines? Is there any difference?

Braided hoses are the same internally as non-braided ones, but with metal braiding around the outside - mostly for cosmetics, but it also adds chafe protection.

Proper motorsport hoses are a much higher-spec construction, which resists swelling under extremes of pressure better.

[DocJock]

TooMany2cvs said:

Braided hoses are the same internally as non-braided ones, but with metal braiding around the outside - mostly for cosmetics, but it also adds chafe protection.

Proper motorsport hoses are a much higher-spec construction, which resists swelling under extremes of pressure better.

So much wrong that I can't be arsed to have the inevitable multi-quoting argument. Suffice to say it starts with an inaccurate generalisation, and doesn't improve much from there.

[Mr2Mike]

TooMany2cvs said:

Braided hoses are the same internally as non-braided ones, but with metal braiding around the outside - mostly for cosmetics, but it also adds chafe protection.

I've never seen normal rubber brake hoses with metal braiding on the outside, do these really exist? The braided lines I've seen and used have been aeroquip style hose with a PTFE inner.

[Grumbly]

It's true that both types of tube contain a hole though

[TooMany2cvs]

Mr2Mike said:

I've never seen normal rubber brake hoses with metal braiding on the outside, do these really exist?

What do you think the Chinese cheapies all over eBay are?

Clearly the second half of my earlier post didn't get read in the rush to shoot the messenger.

[stevieturbo]

TheKangarooMan said:

Thanks for the quick reply. I've heard of braided and rubber lines? Is there any difference?

In reality...almost none unless the old hoses were completely knackered.

[Mr2Mike]

TooMany2cvs said:

What do you think the Chinese cheapies all over eBay are?

AFAIK they are aeroquip style hoses with the same basic construction, since the diameter isn't large enough to be rubber under the braid. Post up a link so I can see what you are referring to.