Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing Brake pads

Hi, I'm used to much sharper braking than my 2018 4/4 has. I've had new replacement OE discs, brake fluid flush and Mintex pads but my 1.6 Fiesta still has much sharper brakes. Any thoughts?

Master cylinder ?

Which mintex pads? also try a set of green stuff pads.

I don't know what your service/MOT history is but lots use a decelerometer to check breaking as the car is generally too light for a roller brake test. Your car will pass this even if your rear cylinders are seized. The hand brake still works fine and if the shoes are adjusted correctly that will pass as well.

I take it that you have recently acquired the car by your joining date. So, firstly rear cylinders are notorious for seizing, God only knows why but the Morgan has this quirk! New cylinders cost an incredible £86 for two at best and considering they are off of a Ford Transit van circa 1990 Dick terrapin clearly has the franchise for them! However if you are a hands on chap a cylinder repair kit both sides Is the way to go at £12 each.

If they are working correctly and by that I mean you can rock them carefully side to side with finger pressure then it's check the following:
Brake fluid level and condition, Should be changed every two years or at worst properly checked.
Pad wear on the front and disc state (especially grease from suspension contaminating from discs). It is imperative that this area is kept spotlessly clean and when greasing excess is immediately cleaned from the hub area. These do need correctly greasing however but that's another topic.
Rear brake shoe condition, one shoe has twice the thickness of friction material than the other from new!
Bleed brakes and replace fluid if in doubt. Dot 4 is the fluid unless marked differently at the reservoir.

NB≥
If no joy then check piston function in the front calibers.

Adjust rear brakes with the hand brake adjustment screw on the rear suspension hoop backed right off. check the function of the auto adjuster.
The hand brake is often adjusted to tightly say three clicks and this prevents the automatic rear shoe adjusters working fully. Modern cars want a short quadrant throw bet the Mog needs 5-6 clicks. The handbrake will almost use its full range of throw.

You will then have to inspect the function of the brake master cylinder and the vacuum unit. Check the vacuum hose connection first.

Had the car a year. The rear cylinders work well enough and going through its service history they were replaced recently, I had the corroded discs replaced a few thousand miles ago.. The car can come to a stop quite quickly but needs a firm foot and lacks the reassuring bite that modern hatch backs have. I'm afraid I don't know exactly which Mintex pads were used but i'm open to recomendations. I use EBC HH pads on my motorcycles for that improved initial bite. The master cylinder is the 8yr old low mileage original.

I don't think its a master cylinder issue as it behaves as expected.

Neville, So the brakes work and I guess it’s passed an MOT since you’ve owned it, it’s just that it’s not as effective feeling as in a Fiesta!
Before spending any more, why not try a ride or drive in a similar model. You may find “they’re all like that….”
A friendly dealer or a member of your local car club might oblige.

One other thing, have the new pads and discs been properly bedded-in since being fitted?
Find a quiet road, accelerate to about 35 mph and brake moderately down to about 5mph; do this 5 times in succession. Then speed up to about 50+ and brake hard, again repeating 5 times. Dont allow too long a gap between each test as you dont want to lose the heat. Stop, allow to cool a bit before going home.

I go with Sewin. Try Greenstuff pads. And don't expect a good initial bite. My Roadster was better with original discs and Greenstuff than it was with ventilated discs and fancy Mintex. I could not get enough heat into the front, and so it squirmed until it got hot, and showed on the brake tester. Greenstuff made a huge difference with my soft braking style.

I fitted Brembo pads to my Golf and they have astonishing initial bite, but were discontinued for the ventilated discs I have, otherwise I would have tried some on my Roadster.

Do you know the EBC Green Stuff part number number for a 2018 4/4? I think the calipers are 4 pot APs they have the Morgan wing badge on them.

Power assistance of brakes, deliberate or otherwise, is never too strong on a Morgan. I always remind myself when stepping from tin top to Mog of the extra force required. Obviously important they do retard car when used in anger though, to the point of locking up if no ABS.

Mixed views on the use of EBC green stuff pads although they work fine for me and show no great signs of wear after 37,000 miles.

I haven't tried that aggressively but will, but have found they work more effectively when hot. I have had to leave maintenance to dealers due to my having aggressive blood cancer and its been costing me too much for my humble wallet! Greasing the King pins every 1000 miles with moly is expensive as I did over 8000 miles in under 12 months.