[The Inspector]

I Recently went with Jamar front brakes (Wide 5) and have been having problems ever since.
Had to have the front hats machined .070 so they would fit but got them working.
NOT Happy that I had to modify a brand new product to get it to fit but that seems to be the case with some aftermarket VW parts.
The single piston calipers in the front release just fine upon releasing the brake.
The rears are another story altogether.
The rear Jamar 4 piston calipers were Sticking, (Dragging) so I pulled them off and sent them in for rebuilding. They told me One side was seized and needed a new piston. Got them back on and the same issue is happening, the drivers side is stuck. Even with the brake line OFF this side is hung up, like the pistons are not releasing pressure and holding the brake on.

Before going with fronts, I used a Bus master cylinder and it worked fine.
After putting the front brakes on I went to a dual circuit master and the brakes are Very mushy, after bleeding two quarts of fluid through the system they still are mushy. Put a 2 lb. residual valve on the rear circuit and it did nothing.
If I pump the brakes I get a little more pedal.

I,m thinking I need to go with a CNC master cylinder, maybe ****-can these Jamar rears and get the RLR wide 5 rears or the CNC rears.

Two Questions:
Anyone have any similar experience or any suggestions?
Will two piston rears be sufficient or will I need 4 piston rears?

 

[Brian Sanders]

Re: My brakes are F***in' me Big Time

I have a different 4 wheel disk set up.. No issues. Stops great.
No residual pressure valve.. Wildwood 3/4 bore master.
I have to look but I think now I'm dual front and dual rear where before I was single front/ dual rear and no issues either way.. I do have a proportioning valve now though.. Maybe I got lucky where I set it but I haven't messed with it much since the car stops well and I haven't locked up the fronts under braking.

My two questions are.
Did the issue start after you Installed the RPV?
And do you have play at the pedal at the master.

 

[The Inspector]

Re: My brakes are F***in' me Big Time

Thanks for the quick reply, Brian, No it did not start after installing the rpv and no play at the pedal. I have adjusted the rod at the pedal, both in and out and it is not making any difference. The drivers side rear brake is so tight right now I have to use a pipe to turn the hub and the brake line is unkooked on that side. Like I said, it appears the pistons on that caliper are not "Relaxing" upon releasing the pedal.

 

[gramazone]

Re: My brakes are F***in' me Big Time

were you brake pads wearing un even..sometimes the caliper hangs up on the pin and causes the brakes to bind..check if the calipers are floating freely

 

[Brian Sanders]

Re: My brakes are F***in' me Big Time

You must have free play at the pedal Paul.. Not sure what you have for a pedal but you may want to disconnect the rod to ensure its relaxed..
Start with that.

If you still have a caliper dragging open the bleeder to see if it frees up.. If so you have have a flex hose failing.

 

[cadprovw]

Re: My brakes are F***in' me Big Time

I,m thinking I need to go with a CNC master cylinder, maybe ****-can these Jamar rears and get the RLR wide 5 rears.

I think this would be a wise decision... Might consider the Wilwood Master.

As for 2 piston rears, you'll be fine. Bubetz ran 2 piston rear and no front brakes.

 

[The Inspector]

Re: My brakes are F***in' me Big Time

You must have free play at the pedal Paul.. Not sure what you have for a pedal but you may want to disconnect the rod to ensure its relaxed..
Start with that.

If you still have a caliper dragging open the bleeder to see if it frees up.. If so you have have a flex hose failing.

Have the brake lines unhooked and the drivers side is dragging so hard I have to use a pipe to turn the hub. Loosened the bleeders and no change. Passenger side is fine.

This was the problem before I sent the calipers to Jamar for rebuilding. The problem is still there.
The caliper is mounted dead center on the rotor and lined up perfectly. I spent a lot of time today getting them just right hoping having the calipers rebuilt would correct the problem.
I am convinced the pistons in the caliper are not relaxing.

Monday I will order a CNC # 702 Master cylinder w/ 7/8 bore, an easy fill cover and also get the master cylinder adapter to mount in a VW
I will also order some Willwood 4 piston calipers from whoever I can get them from the quickest.

I think this would be a wise decision... Might consider the Wilwood Master.

As for 2 piston rears, you'll be fine. Bubetz ran 2 piston rear and no front brakes.

When we were stepping up the hit on the Blue Bottle we went from two piston rears to the 4 piston and saw a very size able difference in stopping power..... after going to the turbo we were not stopping until right before the sand box at Barona so we put front brakes on it. I would be more comfortable with the fours instead of the duals.
I will look into a Willwood master over the CNC tho.

 

[NoBars]

Re: My brakes are F***in' me Big Time

Swap the calipers side to side to ensure it is the caliper that is the problem.

I would change to a wilwood caliper before I bought a new brake set, theres nothing inherently wrong with the hubs.

You may have difficulty getting the RLR kit anyway. He couldn't give me a time frame on when they would be done so I made my own.

 

[superdrag]

Re: My brakes are F***in' me Big Time

Dumb question: are the calipers designed for a thinner rotor?

 

[The Inspector]

Re: My brakes are F***in' me Big Time

I would change to a wilwood caliper before I bought a new brake set, theres nothing inherently wrong with the hubs.

That's sound advice right there! That's exactly what I,m gonna do.


Dumb question: are the calipers designed for a thinner rotor?
There are no dumb questions, just dumb answers sometimes.

These were bought as a kit from Jamar about 7 years ago with single piston Wilwood calipers, I ditched the singles and bought 4 piston direct from Jamar a couple of years ago. The DB-400 kit uses a 3/8 thick rotor. Jamar no longer has Wilwood calipers on their website or I would just get those. Dans Performance shows a set of Wilwoods for the Jamars on his website but I will want to get the Polished ones direct from Wilwood.

I normally would not be in such a hurry to get the car back together but I really want to make the "King of Clubs" Rockabilly Road Trip race at Barona this next weekend.... It is a VERY COOL event all about Rat Rods.....
http://www.baronadrags.com/

 

[NoBars]

Re: My brakes are F***in' me Big Time

Single piston, or dual (opposing) pistons?

If they are dual piston wilwoods I would put them back on. That's what I used, they work great. (of course you sold them...?)

The front brakes will make a big difference. I put a wilwood bias adjuster on the front to take some power away from the fronts to keep them from locking up. My car stops way better than it used to with the cb fronts and 356 rear drums, and I shaved about 60 pounds rotating mass and kept my wide 5 wheels.

 

[AXAM]

Re: My brakes are F***in' me Big Time

I have used wildwood calipers in other applications along with other brands. I have seen the incorrect pads being used which caused the caliper to hang up. If the brake line is disconnected I would check the calipers clearance to the rotor and if the previous caliper was a floater or not .the floater calipers need room to move as they are applied and released. If you have a fixed caliper I would check the clearance to the rotor and the pads.

 

[The Inspector]

Re: My brakes are F***in' me Big Time

Want to update my progress.
Don at Jamar has proven to provide excellent customer service. Sent me a new caliper to check against the ones I have. This is a new improved caliper and when I saw it I knew I wanted a pair. He got me a pair at a GREAT price.
Ended up putting a 1" CNC master cylinder on the car,..... as it turned out the Staging brake needed new seals installed as it was sucking air. Sent it to CNC on Monday and got it back Thursday. Will personally thank them when I see em' at Barona next weekend.

Pedal is high and hard and all hubs turn freely when the brake is released.

 

[68turbofastback]

Re: My brakes are F***in' me Big Time

Where can I get that clutch pedal?

 

[JVance]

Re: My brakes are F***in' me Big Time

Where can I get that clutch pedal?

It's a CNC pedal. Wilwood, US Brake and others have individual pedal assemblies like the one pictured.

 

[The Inspector]

Re: My brakes are F***in' me Big Time

Where can I get that clutch pedal?

Direct from the source:

http://www.cncbrakes.com/

Call them and they usually ship that same day.