First Go-cart complete…questions

[MaxVmo]

Did a couple of laps around the block yesterday. I’m very surprised how responsive the power steering is, and the neighborhood walkers and drivers offered smiles, waves and god a solid scowl from a Subaru Outback Karen. It was a great day!

I have a fairly solid brake pedal from bleeding a couple days ago. When driving however, it took a lot to stop. Should I continue to bleed the brakes, and how hard should I push on the brakes during a go-cart run? All my 2.5 miles yesterday was under 30mph. I’m not a brake expert—does braking take time to develop at the caliper (seating?) or…

I also noted the e-brake needs adjusting. Is the turnbuckle the only way to tighten it up?

Besides checking for oil pressure, coolant temp, fan operation, gauge function, and general leaks/fluid levels, what else should I be looking for during go-cart phase?

Thanks again for all the excellent posts.

[PNWTim]

Not knowing all the details guessing your brake pads aren't bedded yet. When you say "a lot to stop" do you mean a lot of leg force or a lot of distance?

[MaxVmo]

Not knowing all the details guessing your brake pads aren't bedded yet. When you say "a lot to stop" do you mean a lot of leg force or a lot of distance?

Seemed like a lot of distance. I'm not bottoming out the pedal, and I still have a firm feeling in the pedal after the drive. I didn't try to lock up the brakes or anything during my first outing. I'm running the standard brakes from the complete kit. To be honest, I don't know what to look for or what it's supposed to feel like on the first couple of runs.

I'm open to any recommendations!

[Mike.Bray]

The steering does take some getting used to, it's quick and responsive. Have you done an alignment yet?

The pads do need to bed but you're still dealing with manual brakes so you need some leg power.

[Jeff Kleiner]

Brake pads have to be properly bedded. The method will depend on exactly what pads and compound they are and will vary but in a nutshell it involves controlled heating and cooling of the pads and rotors to transfer material. It can involve some aggressive braking...more than might be prudent during a neighborhood go cart ride.

Jeff

[J R Jones]

The last performance brake pad set I installed described the break-in procedure. It optimizes performance and longevity but before/after difference is not huge.
After decades of driving power brakes, manual brake pedal effort seems very high.
If your brakes are not proportioned and favor the rear, stopping power will be limited.
Locking the brakes will inform you on proportion but locking the rears may cause the rear to side sideways. Careful out there.
jim

[CraigS]

While it would be nice to be able to bed the brakes I don't think it is going to be possible for you until the car is legal. You can maybe do some of it but the kind of standard procedure usually gets you to doing some max braking stops from 40-50 followed by say 5 minutes of driving using the brakes as little as possible to let them cool. And my procedure for checking front to rear bias requires the same max stops. Do you have the dual MCs that allow front to rear adjustment?

[MaxVmo]

Good info. Yes, I have the dual MCs.

[Ducky2009]

I experienced the same issue. Even after bedding the brakes, I wasn't happy. More Go than Stop! lol After driving for a year (in Gelcoat), I removed the body for paint. At that time, I added vacuum power brakes. I grew up with manual brakes, but guess I'm spoiled. One choice is Whitby Motorcars Vacuum Brakes, or you can purchase all the items (except the needed new brake pedal) from the local auto parts store. If you want the part numbers, message me. I purchased all the parts, and made the pedal myself. Had access to a machine shop then, but no longer.

[CraigS]

Adjust the balance bar in it's center indicated by an equal length of threads extending out of both sides. Drive it as much as you can. Once legal, get the pads bedded and get the balance set. If the effort is still more than you prefer, come on back here. There are several different pad compounds that can help you if needed.