Long Pedal

#1

Since I started racing my car, and honestly when it was a street car it has had the same pedal feel.

Until recently when I purchased another E30 as a street car I noticed how different the feel was in my '87is.

the 89, as well as my brothers 91 have a short pedal stroke with a nice firm feeling as you build pressure. My 87 has a long stroke, but the same firm feeling, however its towards the very end of the pedal range, and almost into the stop/firewall.

The difference when bleeding the brakes (non-assist) to power on assisted braking is dramatic. So much so that another E30 driver felt something was wrong with the brakes.

I guess I have just grown accustomed to this as Ive had the car for 12 years now and its never changed.

I have noticed a couple times recently where I’ve needed to pump the brakes to build up pressure after sitting, however I never paid attention to if I had serviced pads etc during the down time.

I am not losing fluid.

Any ideas? M/C? Booster? both are pretty pricey items and unless used…

#2

Needing to pump up the brakes to get pressure is classic MC. However if this only occurs when the car has been sitting a while, I’d be of a mind to just let it go. If it occurs when you are driving, that would be my trigger to replace the MC.

Another possibility is a tiny leak somewhere else in the system. It’s not a strong possibility, but might as well be checked before replacing the MC. Look around for some wetness around the calipers.

#3

Its never done it while driving - including longer Enduros.

Like I said I’ve never paid attention to if I had to pump the brakes only after doing brake service. (i.e. do pads, or service pins 3 weeks beforel loading on a trailer never pump brakes after despressing pistons for service)

I notice no change in M/C res. level and I always give my calipers a spray of brake clean after bleeding. I can’t see any wetness throughout the system.

I rebuild my calipers every off-season.

I’ve never serviced the M/C or booster.