15 replies to this topic

[easyd]

Hi guys again

i am restoring a mini1000 and i am fitting a 1275 twin carb engine in it and also changing drums to disks, suspension and everything in between.
Is it a good idea to add a brake servo? And if i need to add the servo will i need to make changes to the bulkhead?

Sorry if this has been asked before. I searched and i couldn't find anything

[Guess-Works.com]

Adding a servo makes no difference to the brakes in terms of efficiency or power, it just means you don't have to press the brake pedal so hard. If you take the servo and pedal box from a newer car then it'll be a straight swap.

[easyd]

thanks mate!

[Ethel]

"it just means you don't have to press the brake pedal so hard" you can press the pedal harder and with more control.


Gav, yes John is correct, but if you want more braking effort a servo does help by allowing you to press the pedal harder and because you aren't pushing as hard to generate the same force you'll have more control too. It's wrong to say a servo doesn't improve brake performance.

...and strictly speaking I'm wrong as it's the pads 'n shoes you can press harder not the pedal, which is the whole point.

[gav]

Not sure why you crossed that out, what John said was correct.

[wile e coyote]

To fit a servo to a previously non servoed car (assuming we're talking late model servo and master cylinder rather than early remote type) the "mounting cage" needs fixing at the top rear with a bolt - given the force exerted on it it's vital to bolt this in very securely - so a new hole will have to be drilled into the firewall - metal there is not exactly robust so a couple of penny washers and a decent nyloc'd bolt spread the load and hold it tight....... whether a servo a good idea or not is down to your personal preference - myself at 6'6" & 16 stone have no problem non servoed but the Mrs weighs virtually nothing so wanted it put in and prefers the car with it...

[pantera2075]

You're changing the suspension over - why? Unless there are some trick bits there shouldn't be any difference.

[Minigirlracer]

I'm in the middle of upgrading the brakes from drums to discs, I have the servo ready but have been told by lots of people that there isnt a huge amount of difference between just the disc brakes or with the servo. Im just going to put the discs on and see how that goes, then if I feel like it needs it will put the servo on.

[Guess-Works.com]

"it just means you don't have to press the brake pedal so hard" you can press the pedal harder and with more control.


Gav, yes John is correct, but if you want more braking effort a servo does help by allowing you to press the pedal harder and because you aren't pushing as hard to generate the same force you'll have more control too. It's wrong to say a servo doesn't improve brake performance.

...and strictly speaking I'm wrong as it's the pads 'n shoes you can press harder not the pedal, which is the whole point.

Once the pressure exerted by your foot is more than the servo can provide, the servo is redundant. A servo is a 'comfort' device, like power steering.

Edited by Guess-Works.com, 20 January 2010 - 03:21 PM.

[jaydee]

Servo makes easier brake dosage, i've been told thats the reason why it was fitted to some old works cars.

[bmcecosse]

You REALLY don't need a servo - it's just a bl**dy nuisance. Clutters up the engine bay - makes working on clutch etc v difficult. Be GLAD you don't have a servo!! The brakes will be fine without. It was only fitted for feeble Grannies to drive the car!!

[easyd]

To fit a servo to a previously non servoed car (assuming we're talking late model servo and master cylinder rather than early remote type) the "mounting cage" needs fixing at the top rear with a bolt - given the force exerted on it it's vital to bolt this in very securely - so a new hole will have to be drilled into the firewall - metal there is not exactly robust so a couple of penny washers and a decent nyloc'd bolt spread the load and hold it tight....... whether a servo a good idea or not is down to your personal preference - myself at 6'6" & 16 stone have no problem non servoed but the Mrs weighs virtually nothing so wanted it put in and prefers the car with it...

Thanks mate. I haven't decided if im going to fit one yet ... The guys that are helping me on the mini told me that is a good idea to fit it, but im not to sure. i never driven a mini with one to know how different the feeling is.

[easyd]

You're changing the suspension over - why? Unless there are some trick bits there shouldn't be any difference.

Its an old car (surprisingly with little rust!) and im trying to upgrade everything on the car, including bigger engine, 8.4"disks, bigger wheels, so i thought changing the suspension to something newer and better is a good idea. I think i might to a new thread in the projects section just to give u guys an idea of what im doing

[Ethel]

A servo creates a force on the master cylinder pushrod the same as your foot. The forces are added - just like a set of scales would show your weight and the weight of a friend if you were giving them a piggy back.

You could argue that a Servo gives less control when the braking effort is less than the maximum force of the servo but you judge the braking effort by the deceleration of the car and adjust your foot pressure accordingly so in practice the only difference will be it takes less pedal travel. Many of us will drive other cars & vans with servos and not even notice - until the servo stops working.

[easyd]

That makes sense.
Actually the only car I have driven without a servo was this mini That was just around the neighborhood, and I didn't notice a difference on the braking force I used.