Braking Power Options

[lsintampa]

75 2.0 FI

So I just got my car finally on the road. It's been a long journey, and this is my first 914, so if my question sounds "dumb" - just give me a new 914 driver break.

All of the latest "old" cars I've owned (74 TR6, 74 BMW) all had brake boosters. The 914 has no "boost".

I find the braking power to be really somewhat below what I expected.

What was I expecting? Well, since I have no prior 914 driving experience I really don't know.

I'm curious if my "newbie" experience is just that I'm not familiar with the lack of braking power, or if perhaps I may have some issue with my brakes?

Rotors all new, pads in good condition, good pedal pressure, 19MM ATE MC from PMB.

Any "road tests" I can do to give me some sort of clue if all is well in brake land?

Thanks,

Len

[McMark]

If the pedal is soft, you need to bleed it more. Especially because you replaced the master cylinder. The MC really should be bench bled before it's put into the car because it can hide so much air.

If the brakes feel safe enough to drive, go do the pad bedding procedure Elliot linked to. When you get back, do some more bleeding. You'll probably need to do the bleeding process a few more times.

I've tried all the tricks and products, but nothing beats a two person bleed with one person to push the pedal and one person to open the valves.

Oh, and one other thing, make sure there is a little 'free travel' at the beginning of the brake pedal travel. You should feel a bit of space before the plunger actually contacts the piston inside the master cylinder. If there isn't any free play, it may not bleed correctly/completely.