Questions about brakes

[kevink16]

Couple questions about brakes:

First, do kart brakes just use regular brake fluid that you can buy at any auto parts store or something special?

Second, my brakes have a pretty good gap between the pads and rotor when I'm not on the pedal. Probably between an 8th to a 1/4 of an inch gap on each side of the rotor. This results in the pedal having to go through at least 70% of its travel before the pads even contact the rotor. The pads themselves look like they still have a decent amount of life left in them and each is at least a 1/4" thick. I read somewhere that you can add shims between the pads and pistons to decrease this gap. Would this much of a gap be shimmable or should I just look into a new set of pads? Also, will local shops carry shims or is that something I'll need to order online? I couldn't find any markings on my master cylinder so I'm not sure who makes it and what style pads it takes which might make it tricky

[norcalacr]

1) Yes, most specify DOT 3 or 4. Check the manufacturer's website to be sure. If you post a picture I'm sure some eagle-eyed karter will recognize the brand.

2) Assuming the pedal is firm once the pads contact the rotor it sounds pretty good. Keep in mind the axle flexes so closing the gap too much will cause braking (drag) even without touching the pedal.

Not sure what caliper you have but it probably has two allen head screws on each side. These are used to adjust the gap. Crack open the brake cylinder when you make the adjustment.

[ron90]

You have to get those brakes working really good. Sometimes people cut you off and you need to use them in an emergency.

I remember one race, turn 3 at Davis, I took the corner passing this wild racer. Instead of letting it go he just dove in on me. I hit the brakes hard and let him go. I passed him several corners later. It's been quite awhile since then, but I think his number was 9. I should check our roll call to see who that was. ;D

[Brad Wunder]

Ohhhhhh yeahhhhh, I remember that day. My WF somehow out qualified your F200 (how is that even possible?? ) so you were a touch behind me. Had you gotten your front wheel up a little further, I would have given you the spot. But as I said that day, I should have given you the spot anyway since I knew you'd be able to crank up the Rs and get by me sooner or later.

Now back to the question at hand (assuming you have nothing further to add Mr. Necroposter? lol) about breaks. As Scott said you may be able to adjust them with a simple allen wrench. If you don't see where that is possible then you will need to add shims. Let me know if you need some because I know I've seen some in my spare parts bin. Can't guarantee they will fit your kart though...what kind of kart do you have again?

[kevink16]

My karts an Emmick so I'm assuming that the caliper might be an SKM but there is no markings at all on the caliper to identify what type it is. I will try adjusting those allen screws you guys are talking about and see if I can fix the gap that way

[Brad Wunder]

Actually, I think the shims I have are from my old Emmick. ;D

[tommy toro]

Brakes? I hate those things, but the easy way to tell is if you see the springs on the side of the caliper you have to shim them, if you dont, like the MCP's you can adjust them with the allen, then theres the type that shim at the caliper halfs, pretty self explanitory when you take a good look at them, but 1/4 inch sounds perfect in my book, gives you that little bit extra before a panic brake and a trip into the grass.

[Brad Wunder]

Oh, and the other thing about brakes is, and this is the standard NFRA line of reasoning, they SUCK cause they only slow you down!!!