front discs

[Realize]

Hi Guys

The long continuing saga of sorting my brakes continues.

They are working a lot better since I changed the flexi brake lines and bled them.

I have noticed that the front brake discs are actually very worn with a large lip on outer edge.
I guess this may be the cause of long travel on pedal as the pistons have to move further.

Will installing new discs have a vast effect on my brakes and will I need to change anything else like wheel bearings at the same time?

T25 2ltr air cooled westy 1981

cheers Jay

[T3 Ben]

I would do discs, bearings and pads. Bearings are fitted into discs hub so you are better off just putting new ones in rather than swapping them from your old discs

[toomanytoys]

Have you adjusted the rears up?? that will give a "long" pedal if the shoes are too far away from the drum..

[Realize]

Hi

Yes the rear brakes are adjusted and have new shoes, the front brakes have new pads but old very worn discs.

Will the worn fronts also give a long pedal?

Cheers Jay

[kevtherev]

No but you'll get very bad brake fade.
the long pedal is only due to air or rears not adjusted up with the little wheel,
The pistons will adjust up to the disc, they won't move back but lightly rest on the disc.
The fluid merely transfers the force from your foot to the pad.


er.... did you follow the method to bleed in the haynes?
opening all the bleed screws and allowing the fluid to trickle through topping up the reservoir as it does so.
this primes the system, ready to bleed it properly

[Realize]

Cheers Kev

How much fluid do I need to let trickle out to prime it before I tighten the nipples and bleed them?

Cheers Jay

[kevtherev]

about 500 ml
I see you have the early brakes
Remember it's the top nipples you undo to bleed... not the drains at the bottom

[Red Westie]

Most on here change the bearings and inner seal at the same time as a disc change, personally I would check the bearings and their races for wear and re-use them if they are in good order. If you do fit new be careful of brands, there are alot of very cheap imports that will let you down big time.

Definately bleed the brakes again, slacken hand brake off before adjusting brake shoes, re-adjust after proper clearance (shoe to drum) is established.
New pads on very worn discs is never a good thing, they take ages to bed in and can overheat in the meantime.
Be careful NOT to load the bearings when refitting the disk, these are taper roller bearings and actually need slight play, do not tighten the end not onto the bearing.
Martin