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Old 07-01-2025, 08:46 PM   #2
Kube
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Wisconsin, USA
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Default Re: Brake pedal travel

Quote:
Originally Posted by 30Murray View Post
I know there are tons of threads on brakes but I couldn't find and answer to my specific question. I have a '39 M/Cyl with '42 brakes and a Bob Drake repro pedal assembly. All wheels are adjusted with slight drag and the pedal has about the right free play, but possibly could be tighter. The pedal travels about 4" when I apply the brakes and stops about 3" from the floor. The car stops OK from normal speeds. They don't feel spongy and pumping doesn't make any difference to pedal travel. I am a little concerned that in a hard panic stop the pedal may bottom out. Is this too much pedal travel - what is normal? Not sure if any further adjustment to freeplay will help.
Three inches from the floor is pretty darn good.
You may be able to get a little better result by lengthening the rod at the master cylinder. However, when lengthening, do perhaps two turns, go for a drive and see how the brakes are. There is a "fine line" between that rod being okay to too long. If it's too long, the fluid can't get back into the reservoir and your brakes will lock up.
That's why I suggest two turns, go for a drive, perhaps two more turns, go for a drive.
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