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MG MGB Technical - Poor brake pedal

I have just completed a complete brake overhaul on a BGT, this vehicle had a factory fitted indirect action servo, I had replaced both front callipers, both front flexible pipes, front discs and pads, master cylinder, both rear wheel cylinders, and shoes, and lastly the servo,(this vehicle had been parked up for the last 16 years) after bleeding the brakes the pedal still had some travel, after a road test I checked the rear brake adjustment, still to much travel on the brake pedal, I then clamped off all 3 flexible pipes, perfect pedal, after releasing the clamps one a time I traced the fault to both front calipers, after another bleed, still the same, I then looked at the pistons, and both outside pistons were very tight on the seals, if you pressed and released the pedal both outer piston retracted further than the inner pistons, I then removed the outer pads one at a time pumped the pistons almost out, then pushed them back in again, I did this a few times on each side, then refitted the pads, checked the pedal again, perfect, these calipers were new with no exchange and were about £70-00 for the pair and I would think made in China, so if you buy some of these calipers and cant get a good pedal, this is something to think about.
Andy Tilney

Not just new callipers. I have had the same thing happen on re-kitted original callipers when there was insufficient lube (too old and tacky) between pistons and seals.
Paul Walbran

This thread was discussed on 30/11/2016

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