New Brakes Feel Vague Options

[rickso71]

Just installed rebuilt calipers, new brake lines and hoses. I've never driver this car ('71 1.7L) or any other 914s for that matter so don't know what the brakes should feel like. These don't do much for about 1/2 travel then get firm but not great. The rotors still have rust on them from many years of sitting so I hope brakes will get better as the rust wears off. Brakes were bled several times (I know, never enough) and rear venting clearance was set to .008".

I've read in this forum that the stock 914 brakes aren't that great. What does that mean?

[rhodyguy]

when the ebrake fails to do its job, with the handle pulled way up, while parked on the hill you know the venting clearence is wrong. what gave me concern in his post was the rusty rotors and the notion he was waiting for the rust to load up the pads (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/ohmy.gif) . my guess is he didn't check the runout either. i had a set i was planning on using until the brake guy told me "nope". althought they were in "spec" pior to turning, he could have just turned them and sent me on my way. he took the time to explain about rust that penetrates and forms "hard spots" that have to be removed. he wasn't trying to sell me new compoments either. he directed me to the least exspensive place in town to find them. cheaper than the parts houses when you figure in shipping.

k