hey guys,

My brake pedal feels a little funny... You don't get any brakes until you have the pedal abut halfway down.. It doesn't even feel like they're engaging up top... Tried to bleed the brakes, but that didn't do any good.... Any suggestions on how to bring the engagement point up?

Dan
P.S.- once the brakes begin working, they're great...

 

Mine do the same thing, it doesn't bother me though, it maked heel-toe easier since the brakes start to really engage when it's about even with the gas pedal

 

Mine does that too. It became much more apparent after I had the rotors turned, because the pads have to move more to do anything. You should check your rotors with a micrometer, they might have been turned.

 

also, these are old cars. Not overboosted like 2002 models. Most cars of the 70's/early 80's are like this

 

i'd say start with the obvious ... check rotors-n-pads. then, move on to checking the hydraulics (master cylinder and lines) ...

i agree that cars this age will not feel as "sharp" (for lack of a better term), especially since brakes go neglected by many people ...

however, my '83 was razor sharp and it engaged up top, where i like it. one of my future goals with my current car is to get it like my '83 was ...

 

[QUOTE] Any suggestions on how to bring the engagement point up?
... once the brakes begin working, they're great.

You probably need to adjust the free play in the brake pedal. This adjustment is made near the top of the brake pedal. There is a locknut behind the pedal.. loosen the locknut, and turn the pushrod to obtain proper free play, then tighten the locknut.

Test the free play after using the brakes, to double-check that it's correct. And remember, some free play is needed.