Very hard brake pedal marginal stopping

[Dennis Mosley]

KUDOS to Tilton Tech Support!!!!!

Not as happy with Wilwood Tech.

Called Wilwood tech first since I am using Willwood calipers and master cylinders. Asked me what kind of car and model of the calipers and sizes of the MC's I was using. His response was, that I needed to switch the back MC to a 7/8" and "rough up" my rotors and pads and that should work. BUT if it didn't work I should call tilton since I was using their pedals. I give it a try and it doesn't work so I call tilton as instructed.

I call and get Gary on the phone. He asks me a few questions and said, "are you telling me they just punted on this cause you have our pedals...hydraulics are hydraulics" He told me he would get me fixed up. He asked for the model numbers of the MC's I was using and he and I pulled them up on line so he could see the specs. Then he told me he wanted me to fill out a spec sheet for my car that he emailed me and it would help him. The sheet included thinks like # of pistons in the caliper, size of piston, rotor size, car weight and weight distribution and some other stuff. He also asked what kind of pedal feel I wanted. I had to look up some of the stuff but emailed him the sheet that evening and the next morning he provided me with his recommendations. Actually gave me 2 options depending on the type of pedal feel I wanted. The one I chose recommended going back to 3/4" on the back (going with a 13/16" on the back would give me a heavier pedal feel) and going to a 5/8" on the front. Didn't try to sell me anything.

Made all the changes last night, pedal feel is what I was looking for and when I tested the brakes, at 45 mph and a "Panic" stop, wheels lock up as I would expect.

All that info may or may not have been needed but all I can say is I feel like he put in the effort to fix my problem and that's the kind of service I like to get.

You can be sure that the "frankenbuild" project I have going on in the garage will have tilton components in the braking system.

Great job Gary and Tilton as a whole.

[Buzz]

Glad you got it sorted out and thanks for the update. I've decided to replace all of my master cylinders and I was about to start researching what sizes would be ideal. I have the same calipers that you do, so I suppose Tilton's advice would also work for me.

[Dennis Mosley]

Originally Posted by Buzz

Glad you got it sorted out and thanks for the update. I've decided to replace all of my master cylinders and I was about to start researching what sizes would be ideal. I have the same calipers that you do, so I suppose Tilton's advice would also work for me.

Would probably work but check which superlites you have. Mine came with the smaller pistons (1.38") I think the newer ones have a 1.75". either way I would double check.

I am also running a pedal ratio of 6:1

[Trubble]

Guess if I ever need help with my Wilwood BRAKES, I'll be sure to ask if they have anyone on the tech helpline staff who knows brakes and hydraulics!
Nice work by the Tilton techie.