11 replies to this topic

[Gsybeach]

I have a 1988 Mk3 mini city which must have been made just before the brake servo's were introduced.

Does anyone know what is involved in changing to the newer brake servo set-up?
Can I simply remove the old master cylinders and replace with the newer master cylinder/servo set-up? I will be racing this mini so I want to upgrade the brakes!

Many Thanks, Ben.

[Haynes]

If youre racing dont bother with a servo just makesure the system is tip top and select the right pads.

[Dan]

A brake servo is not a brake upgrade, it does nothing at all to improve the braking system mechanically. All it does is reduce the pedal effort required to produce a given amount of pedal travel. Pedal travel is what generates the braking effort.

Your car is a mk5 by the way.

[stormintrooper]

i thought it was mk5 as i have '89 mayfair an mines mk5 lol

[Asphalt]

Racing? Away with the servo!
A racecar needs a good pedal feel. Servos don't provide that....

[Flippy]

What do you have to do to remove the servo??

[cagy]

For a normal road car is a servo necessary either?????



Craig



ps:

Sorry for stealing your thread!!

Edited by cagy, 10 September 2008 - 07:25 AM.

[taffy1967]

Not necessary no, but the brake pedal is softer with a servo and so it feels more like other cars then.

[Ethel]

The horizontal servo is direct acting, i.e. the pedal acts directly on the piston in the master cylinder so pedal travel is directly proportional. If the pedal travels further it's because your brakes are working harder.

If you want to know what the difference is just disconnect the hose to the manifold.

[cagy]

Not necessary no, but the brake pedal is softer with a servo and so it feels more like other cars then.

But a mini isn't like other cars!! lol!!!

So it can be done away with just means brake pedal will travel further and be harder??


Craig

[Ethel]

You'll have to push harder to stop the car.

Unless you also change the bore of the master cylinder, in which case the pedal will travel further to generate the same braking effect.

[GraemeC]

As said, a servo does not increase braking performance and does not increase or decrease pedal travel. All it does is assist your right leg by making the pedal easier to push. A side effect is loss of feel through the pedal and hence not commonly liked for competition applications (plus it is something else to go wrong).

As for the original question - to add a late model horizontal servo you will need a different pedal box (or at least brake pedal), and the correct linkages and possibly a different master cylinder mounting plate. To add an earlier type remote servo it is a case of finding somewhere to bolt it and then a plumbing exercise of both brake lines and a vacuum connection (with 1 way valve).