currently running discs on the front and rear drums on the 1275. i get good pedal when braking but lack stopping power..... i dont have brake boosters

recently had my brake light pressure switch changed because my brake lights werent coming up ... can this have any effect one the brake performance if the incorect typre was put in.

_________________
PrOuDlY aSkInG qUeStIoNs FoR uR aMuEsMeNt

In a word... no.

Unless it's leaking fluid that is, but you'll notice that.

_________________
Simon

The adventures of an owner builder in the Tallarook Ranges

I'm not being a smartass here, but try pushing the pedal harder

find a quiet backstreet (industrial area on the weekend etc.) and do some "crash stop" tests

_________________
did I tell you that I won a trophy?

This is a good habit to get into on a semi-regular basis anyway.

1. You get to test the effectiveness of your brakes in an emergency situation before the situation becomes an emergency.
2. You get practice finding the braking threshold just before locking them up -- this is an important skill to develop.
3. Do it in different weather conditions and get practice emergency braking in the wet, safely.

You might get pinged by the cops if you do it regularly (I did once ) but if you explain what you're doing, they're cool.

_________________
Simon

The adventures of an owner builder in the Tallarook Ranges

Check your brake pads and maybe purchase some new ones if they are getting worn out. the older they are the more likely they are to "go off" and loose ther effectiveness.

_________________
Have a Nice Day.
If already having a nice day please disregard.

and buy standard road ones, not the fancy high performance ones. The high performance ones don't work on road cars where they don't get hot

_________________
did I tell you that I won a trophy?

cause i wore them out for u while it was in my gentle loving care.

_________________
PrOuDlY aSkInG qUeStIoNs FoR uR aMuEsMeNt

I have the same brake setup as you mentioned on my car, and like simon k suggested, try pushing the pedal harder. It's sometimes surprising when you think you are braking hard, but then you really try and the brakes really work. Driving around in normal traffic i find i don't brake very hard because of the people in front of me, and it causes me to sometimes get caught out when i really need to press the brakes, as i'm not used to pressing hard.

Also i highly recommend finding someplace quite and testing your brakes out.

On another note, pads were mentioned as a possible cause of ineffectiveness. So can your disk rotors if they are "glazed" It's probably not very noticeable, but just another thing that adds up.

yep i thought my brakes were lacking a bit.. but when you really need them.. it's suprising how easily the fronts lock up!

_________________
tim
68 Deluxe 1293, HIF44, megajolt/EDIS4, daihatsu alternator..

'a mini is for life, not just for christmas!'

What size discs are they. If you happen to have the smaller Mk 1 Cooper Disc brakes they were never much good for stopping. 7.5inch and 8.4 inch should work well. Without a booster they will require a bit more push on the pedal to come on Properly but a good booster fitted will make so much difference.

_________________
DID I MENTION THAT I AM THE BEST SUPPLIER FOR MINI ELECTRICAL PARTS AND REPAIRS?
"Let us remove your "SHORTS"

esoecially if you're swapping in and out of the mini and modern cars, my other half used to reguarly nearly put himself through the windscreen getting out of his Ford and into my VW as the brake pedal was so much higher in my car, the SAAB on the other hand is the exact opposite, ever 6 months in I'd find myself not pushing the pedal hard enough to stop

_________________
'62 Morris 850 (Marion)
'65 Mini Delux - sleeper 1275/S discs (Ms Plum)
'69 Vanden Plas Princess 1300
'71 Wolseley 1300
'74 Austin 1300 Countryman
'94 XJ6 Sport 3.2
'04 Rover 75 CDTi