Brakes??? What brakes???

[Weathers]

So after playing catch up on Sunday the brakes on the Westfield just didn't feel right. No bite at all when the pedal was stamped on......

Turns out someone in the ownership chain had made some bits out of the wrong metal in the braking system and so after a bit of heavy use metal fatigue had set in and flexing would have turned to snapping very soon and would have resulted in the brake pedal not being connected to the system. In other words NO BRAKES AT ALL!!!!!

Thank goodness for my "lucky roof" and getting home in one piece and not having had the Mrs or kids in the car.

[steve m]

Good job you have found out now, before some of the much faster speeds some get to when the roads are dry and the sun is out

as for the previous owner, I doubt it was anything he did, as the forum thread on that, would of taken up all our allocated bandwidth

steve

[Weathers]

Agreed Steve. Can't wait to drive with the handbrake off

Wasn't looking to blame anyone for the avoidance of doubt. Just setting out the background and as a warning to others that are making things at home rather than purchasing them from trusted sources.

[DJ.]

Not a nice experience! Good to hear you've found the problem and avoided an accident.

I think Dick told me that he had a soft brake pedal on his car soon after he built it, and bleeding etc didn't cure it. Turned out the balance bar had begun to break that's when a thorough inspection really can pay dividends!

[Tony B]

Ahh the trusted roof acting as a parachute, now it all makes sense

To be fair to Martin he never actually made up his mind if he needed brakes or not!

Come on then, put a picture up so we can see what your talking about.........

[Fury1630]

.....and as a warning to others that are making things at home rather than purchasing them from trusted sources.

On the other hand, a lot of parts bought from Westfield / Caterham / Tiger seem poorly engineered, whereas the only thing I've made myself that broke was an engine mount, where my rubbish welding cracked very slowly & in a predictable way.

You pays you money - or in my case - you don't.

What actually was the problem?

[Weathers]

Just spoken to the garage and amongst other things I have trouble with my Clevis Pin.... who knew?

Home made effort out of thin and badly shaped aluminium apparently. Bent under the force of braking hard.

[Fury1630]

Clevis Pin.... Home made effort out of thin and badly shaped aluminium apparently. Bent under the force of braking hard.

Ah!

I like aluminium - but it has its limits!

[andyf]

And a clevis pin is beyond its limits