Soft feeling in brakes

[bryan d.]

I recently finished my brembo brake swap.

After driving it around I feel that the brake pedal feels a lot softer when I apply it. If I let off of it and then reapply then it becomes as I thought it would be hard as a rock. When you guys did this swap did you also swap in the master cynlinder or can there be more air in the system?

Im going to bleed them again to make double sure but I would also think maybe the cynlinder maybe the culprit.

[BusyBadger]

The Brembo & non-Brembo master cylinders are the same size. You will see two different part numbers for MC's and while I haven't researched why I'm betting the different is for VDC and non-VDC equipped Z's.

If you haven't already, you might want to consider adding steel braided brake lines. Brembos came stock on my Z and the pedal has never felt as firm as my 240 did after I upgraded all of its braking components. Still, the Z's brakes are tireless and I can out brake nearly everything on the road. A good bleeding should help firm up your pedal feel, but I don't know that it will ever be "rock hard". What pads and rotors are you running? I suppose since you're in Italy actual Brembo stuff is much cheaper than it is the states!

Enjoy Italia! One of my military regrets stems from me missing getting stationed in Vicenza with 173rd by about a week. Things work out though, I went to Germany and was stationed a few minutes away from Zuffenhausen.

[bryan d.]

That is what I thought. I did not remember anyone ever changing their master cylinder.

I have thought about it. Perhaps I will order them as soon as I get around to painting the calipers due to them being used and in need of a good fresh start. I was going to repaint them the brembo gold as I really enjoy that color behind my black wheels. I've heard the honda pearl is the perfect match. Its going to be hard to find someone to ship these items to me as Im overseas.

I'm not sure of the pads but the rotors are drilled and slotted. This set came off a G35 from Canada.

I've definately enjoyed my time in Italy and I'll be here for another 2 years

I finally got around to installing them but they definately could use a little more work before they really shine.

[BusyBadger]

Honda Inca Pearl is the colour you're looking for. its code is Y-61P. If you can get away with just touching up a few dings instead of repainting the caliper you can use a model paint: Humbrol 54. I had to order it, no local model store had it, but it should be easier to find in Europe than it is in The States...it's made in the UK.

Of course the big drawback about repainting the calipers and not getting them powder coated is that the paint can get chewed up by brake fluid when you're bleeding the brakes.

[bryan d.]

Ah thank you I've been looking for the code. The front driver's side caliper is already messed up as it is. Definately they need to be redone. Hopefully with tons of prep work I can get them back to looking semi new

I was thinking about brushing it on. What all would I need to accomplish that other than the paint itself? I don't know much about painting but I figure to give it the old college try.

[BusyBadger]

I've never actually known anyone to do anything but chip repair & touch-up work with a brush. Every time I've seen someone reapaint their Brembos they've usually removed them from the car, sanded them with something like 400 grit sandpaper, cleaned it with brake cleaner and then used used VHT caliper paint.

You can take the wheel off, mask the rotor and other potential overspray areas and repaint your calipers that way, it just won't look as good as a caliper that's been pulled off the car and has been completely stripped and repainted.

Duplicolor does make a brush on caliper kit if you're set on keeping the calipers mounted and doing it that way. They've even got a vid on YouTube for you to check out.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIgb6FNpcdY&showinfo=0[/youtube]

[bryan d.]

I've been looking at some of the kits on the market and frankly they don't impress me. If I'm going to do this I might as well do it right. The only problem I might have is getting the actual paint. Since I know how to take them off I'm sure I can do it in one weekend.

Today I noticed that my brake pedal was definately firmer. It is about the way it was before the swap. My buddy who helped me with it definately said that it might take a couple days for the system to get used to it. I'm not really sure what he said or meant but it does seem to be working.

[BusyBadger]

If you can afford the down time and have the skills I'd certainly recommend pulling the caliper for better results.

Looking forward to the before and after pics.

Good to hear that your pedal feel is "back to normal".

[bryan d.]

It might be awhile until I get to move out the barracks but as soon as I can, I will definately do a little write up.