3200GT Brake Pedal Travel

Oneball

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11,075
How far does your brake pedal travel in normal use? Mine goes quite a bit further than I’d like before something happens. It’s so far it isn’t possible to heel toe. Just pondering what normal is.
 

alfatwo

Member
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5,517
Yea so did mine, Shiltech bled the system with the ABS valves open useing there diagnosis gadget, it made **** of a difference to the pedal feel

The various ecu's on board manual 3200's don't take kindly to pressing the brake and accelerator at the same time :p ..you can't drive them like that mate!

Dave
 

Oneball

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11,075
Marios changed the fluid in mine and it didn’t seem to make any difference.

Thanks I’m not too bothered about heeltoeing it was just any easy way to describe how far it goes. It just doesn’t feel right. I don’t think there’s any pad bounce off so maybe it could do with some new hoses.
 

RSM Masser

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2,437
Check the lines - they are prone to rot out
Then I replaced all the lines and fluid the brakes still had a lot of travel despite bleeding and a full fluid change
 

alfatwo

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5,517
The pin on
Marios changed the fluid in mine and it didn’t seem to make any difference.

Thanks I’m not too bothered about heeltoeing it was just any easy way to describe how far it goes. It just doesn’t feel right. I don’t think there’s any pad bounce off so maybe it could do with some new hoses.

It won't be the hoses... although after 18 years you could treat the old car to a new set
Have you checked the amount of free play on the pin between the brake pedal pivot and the master cylinder
Also does the pedal feel normal without the engine running

Dave
 

Oneball

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11,075
Hard lines are all good.

I’ve not really checked anything as of yet, will have a look later though.
 

Oneball

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11,075
Very little play in the pin.

Pedal feels ok with the engine off.

It feels like either the brake fluid is crappy or the pads are being pushed off but I’m not sure it’s either.
 

davy83

Member
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2,809
I think the travel is longer than most other cars I have owned, so yes the pedal travel is always a bit long. I think however from your tone yours is a bit worse than it should be? I also had very long travel and underwhelming brakes for a while and I agree with bleeding the brakes and also would suggest looking at the flex lines to the calipers, I replaced mine with small diameter ones from Goodritch and this helped a bit, not sure if the old ones were ballooning or not. I also had problems with the calipers themselves and had these remanufactured, and this also helped a bit. My brakes are more reassuring now, but travel still longer than my other car.
 

conaero

Forum Owner
Messages
34,593
The extra brake travel was actually engineered in to the revised 3200 after complaints about an over sensitive pedal.

Just to give you some pointers if it’s excessive, it’s probably the front callipers over returning. Buy some hose clamps and clamp off both front hoses and check again to confirm the area of concern.

If so, replace the front hoses and remove the pads and put 6mm wooden blocks in place of the pads. Bleed the brakes then force the pads back only enough to force the pads in (do not push them in slack and see if that improves it. Your callipers may be sticking too.

Also when your in there, clean it all up, lube under the dust seals with brake fluid and remove the pad guides and clear the corrosion underneath. Your pads should drop in and not need forcing. If they are tight, file the sides of the pads.
 
Last edited:

davy83

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2,809
Also when your in there, clean it all up, lube under the dust seals with brake fluid and remove the pad guides and clear the corrosion underneath. Your pads should drop in and not need forcing. If they are tight, file the sides of the pads.[/QUOTE]

Yes what he said this makes a difference too!!!
 

Oneball

Member
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11,075
Thank you all.

I’ve ordered some braided hoses, whether they’re the issue or not they’re almost 20 years old so might as well be done.

Whilst doing those I’ll clean up the pistons etc and check the pads as suggested and obviously flush through with new fluid.

Thanks again

Tim
 

Oneball

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11,075
Pistons all cleaned up and nothing seized. All pads taken out and cleaned but weren’t sticking so they’re ruled out.
 

Rex B

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Messages
657
Some early road tests reported on the cars having quite long travel and the travel on mine is certainly longer then my 159 Alfa. During its life with me its had new disc and pads , hoses and the fluid changed every 2 years and has always been the same. To give you a reference l measured the travel from the middle left had side of the pedal to the floor and with the brake off it was 190 mm withe the brake applied it was 150 mm hope this reverence may help as you could be chasing a problem that is not.

Rex B
Manual 3200
 

Oneball

Member
Messages
11,075
Thanks Rex that’s great. I’ll have a measure later. I did a stop from high speed on Friday and it’s was a bit sketchy.

Have you got a 1275GT? This is my Mini:

8FC405A0-F745-47D8-B35D-4402C960CABB.jpeg
 

Rex B

Member
Messages
657
Yes, used to rally mini's years ago and done the RAC in the the 1275gt. Then converted it for tarmac single venue events and rolled it, then moved house and left it in the garage for 27 years. Now nearly back together in group 2 specification, shell engine, gearbox, brakes and suspension all rebuilt and hopefully on the road in the spring of 2019.

Your looks great mk1 cooper and cooper s worth more than the Maserati, can't understand that but they are great fun and surprisingly fast when tuned.

Rex B
Manual 3200
 

Oneball

Member
Messages
11,075
My Dad was Clerk of the Course for the Sutton Park stages of the RAC a few times in the 70s, I've got a great photo of him from the Birmingham Post with long hair and purple flares.

I've had my mini for over 20 years, paid £2200 for it as a runner with MOT, everything is silly money now, would really like a big Healey but they're just too much money.

If you ever need any bits I've got a lock up full of engines/gearboxes and other bits from pre 90s minis.
 

philw696

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Messages
25,119
Drove the whole of New Zealand both Islands in a Mini Cooper 1275 fuel injected Rover one never missed a beat 5,500 kilometers in a couple of weeks even got busted for speeding :)
 

Oneball

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Messages
11,075
Drove the whole of New Zealand both Islands in a Mini Cooper 1275 fuel injected Rover one never missed a beat 5,500 kilometers in a couple of weeks even got busted for speeding :)

Bet that was fun. We’re off to the South Island to see some friends in Wanaka next year.
 

Rex B

Member
Messages
657
My Dad was Clerk of the Course for the Sutton Park stages of the RAC a few times in the 70s, I've got a great photo of him from the Birmingham Post with long hair and purple flares.

I've had my mini for over 20 years, paid £2200 for it as a runner with MOT, everything is silly money now, would really like a big Healey but they're just too much money.

If you ever need any bits I've got a lock up full of engines/gearboxes and other bits from pre 90s minis.
Always wanted a Healy as well, was going to buy one for £600 but got married and bought a house instead so probably made the right decision. Is yours as S or a cooper.

Rex B