frank_s Posted March 5, 2013 Report Share Posted March 5, 2013 Has anyone got experience of the aftermarket remote servo kits being sold? I've had two now, brand new, having exchanged one as faulty. Neither work properly, with variable braking and also with brakes remaining on after pedal pressure has been removed, random duration, but for as long as a couple of seconds sometimes... rather disconcerting when you're braking into a corner at speed! And the latest one i've had is practically non-existent when straight out the garage, improving after it's been pumped a few times. A local mechanic here reckons it is the piston sticking or something similar, not a bleeding issue. But I'm about to give up and chuck the lot in the bin. Does anybody have any views or advice? unfortunately the unit is out of the warranty period as I took a long time to put it on. Thanks! Frank Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted March 5, 2013 Report Share Posted March 5, 2013 What brake fluid are you using? Stuart. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
pfenlon Posted March 5, 2013 Report Share Posted March 5, 2013 Has anyone got experience of the aftermarket remote servo kits being sold? I've had two now, brand new, having exchanged one as faulty. Neither work properly, with variable braking and also with brakes remaining on after pedal pressure has been removed, random duration, but for as long as a couple of seconds sometimes... rather disconcerting when you're braking into a corner at speed! And the latest one i've had is practically non-existent when straight out the garage, improving after it's been pumped a few times. A local mechanic here reckons it is the piston sticking or something similar, not a bleeding issue. But I'm about to give up and chuck the lot in the bin. Does anybody have any views or advice? unfortunately the unit is out of the warranty period as I took a long time to put it on. Thanks! FrankFrank have you asked the manufacturer for advice, they should be able to isolate your problem. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
littlejim Posted March 6, 2013 Report Share Posted March 6, 2013 Grandma sucking eggs etc. but do the brakes work OK with the servo kit disconnected? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ade-TR4 Posted March 6, 2013 Report Share Posted March 6, 2013 I had this problem with a Lockheed-6 type servo with silicone brake fluid - really annoying! Â When I had a Mot-a-Vac unit rebuilt, the internal seals were coated with "Molycote" silicone O-ring grease (as advised by servo guru Paul Norton), and all has been well for over 5 years (still using silicone fluid). Â Adey PS: if you need a servo rebuild, there's a place in Castleton near Rochdale that did mine. J&L Exports I think they're called. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Badfrog Posted March 6, 2013 Report Share Posted March 6, 2013 I'd like to follow Little Jim's cue on this. Do we reallt need a servo to stop a TR4 ? Â Badfrog, tempted to dump the blasted can. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BrianC Posted March 6, 2013 Report Share Posted March 6, 2013 Agreed Badfrog - just another unnecessary item to go wrong and removes the 'feel' that you get with direct braking. I also hate power steering on modern cars for the same reasons. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Badfrog Posted March 6, 2013 Report Share Posted March 6, 2013 OK Brian, Â I'm gonna make a survey of this. So far: Servo: 0 and no servo: 2. You all please contribute. Â Â Badfrog Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted March 6, 2013 Report Share Posted March 6, 2013 (edited) Many moons ago I was eyeing up a natty little servo on a GT6 with a view to 'improving' the TR4A brakes.  Ian Cornish came along and asked if I was able to lock up the brakes. 'Yes' I said. 'Then why do you need a servo' says he. Did I detect a slight smuggness there, perhaps not.  Roger   Servo 0 No Servo 3 Edited March 6, 2013 by RogerH Quote Link to post Share on other sites
peejay4A Posted March 6, 2013 Report Share Posted March 6, 2013 Servo 1 No Servo 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Badfrog Posted March 6, 2013 Report Share Posted March 6, 2013 Great forum indeed. A good help for decision. Keep'em coming. Â Badfrog Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BrianC Posted March 6, 2013 Report Share Posted March 6, 2013 It would be useful if those in favour of fitting a servo could state their reasons. The only one I know of is simply the pressure required with unassisted braking which can be a problem for older drivers (as can the clutch, particularly the early non-diaphragm type) and also younger drivers that are not used to driving without one. (Just trying to be constructive and not condemning those who want or need a servo). Quote Link to post Share on other sites
peejay4A Posted March 6, 2013 Report Share Posted March 6, 2013 I agonised over this and read through posts passim about the pros and cons of fitting a servo. On balance, and being a lazy s*d I went for a servo. One of the best features of my newly back on the road 4A is how good the brakes are especially compared to my previous TR6. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Badfrog Posted March 6, 2013 Report Share Posted March 6, 2013 Peejay, Â You have a point, but it may be biased: TR6 and TR4 have the same braking system but in the TR6 what you have to stop is an extra 50 bhp plus an extra 134 kg (1016 vs 1130). So you can't really compare. Â Badfrog Quote Link to post Share on other sites
peejay4A Posted March 6, 2013 Report Share Posted March 6, 2013 True M'sieur but for me it's not only about absolute stopping power but also about feel. I like the feel of the 4A as it's set up. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Badfrog Posted March 6, 2013 Report Share Posted March 6, 2013 OK. 3 to 1 and counting. Â Badfrog Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TR NIALL Posted March 6, 2013 Report Share Posted March 6, 2013 (edited) Peejay, Â You have a point, but it may be biased: TR6 and TR4 have the same braking system but in the TR6 what you have to stop is an extra 50 bhp plus an extra 134 kg (1016 vs 1130). So you can't really compare. Â Badfrog My 6 has a Non Working Servo No Problem Stopping or Locking Up and i aint on Green Stuff Pads either, Thank God . Â 4 to 1 Keep Counting. Edited March 6, 2013 by TR NIALL Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ctc77965o Posted March 6, 2013 Report Share Posted March 6, 2013 No Servo on mine anymore, brakes perfectly OK in my view. Â If a remote servo sticks on then either the hydraulic piston that operates the air valve is sticking or the air valve itself isnt sealing properly. Remember, the servo works by having vacuum both sides of a 'big piston' when brakes arent applied .....and allowing air in to one side of that piston when the brakes are applied...if the brakes drag/don't release cleanly then there must be air when there should be vacuum. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ChrisR-4A Posted March 6, 2013 Report Share Posted March 6, 2013 I have the remote servo on my 4A and its most effective at town speeds where a light touch stops the car easily. When braking from higher speeds with a heavy foot the difference is not so great So I am for it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
frank_s Posted March 6, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 6, 2013 Thanks for all the feedback! Replying in some sort of order..... I'm using new fluid, normal dot 4 stuff from Halfords. It's Powertune, and I haven't asked them yet. I returned the first one to the TR spares supplier I bought it from; they swapped it and the replacement is just as bad, it's all out of warranty now so I will ring Powertune next. I was hoping all you experts out there might have come up with a simple answer:) Thanks Dave in Malaysia for your view - this stacks up and points to a problem with the servo - again. The brakes work(ed) ok before, which leads me to agree with the obvious trend here.... maybe a waste of money. I'm not sure what I was really expecting - something like Potts4A I guess. It seemed like a reasonable modern improvement. (I keep all the original bits but I'm not concerned about maintaining originality for my driving experience). I'd also like a headlamp flash on the steering column, and dip beam there too etc etc And a heater that works. Sacriledge Frank PS I can't really vote in your survey, Badfrog - never having experienced a servo that works.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
pfenlon Posted March 6, 2013 Report Share Posted March 6, 2013 the servo on my TR4, with the Mark 1 XJ6 calipers is nice, suits me, but I would like power steering as well don't condemn it until you've tried it. Â borrow it for a try at Malvern no charge orders taken later on. With apologies to Mr Cornish, but I'm not as strong as him. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
graeme Posted March 7, 2013 Report Share Posted March 7, 2013 Frank,  Do you have a 'non return valve' in the vacuum line from the manifold? and is it fitted the correct way round?  Could be the cause of your problems.  I'm for the servo!! I acknowledge that TR brakes are good as standard and quite capable of locking up, the skill is stopping without locking the brakes.  I fitted a servo so that the difference between daily driver and TR was less noticeable.  Cheers  Graeme Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ianc Posted March 7, 2013 Report Share Posted March 7, 2013 Hmm ... Mr Cornish is aged (well past 70 - definitely well, and also past) and not very strong (10 stone weakling), but ran TR2s without servo in the 1960s, threw away the servo on 4VC as soon as he bought the car in 1969, and still runs the car without such assistance. Like so many others, he loves the progressive feel that TR brakes give - push harder, stop faster! Â As long as his right leg continues to work, he has no intention to fit such a piece of kit (even if he could find room for it). Â Signed: Miss PA pp Ian Cornish Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Badfrog Posted March 7, 2013 Report Share Posted March 7, 2013 (edited) So we're vaguely around 6 to 3, against or non interested. Â Badfrog Edited March 7, 2013 by Badfrog Quote Link to post Share on other sites
peejay4A Posted March 7, 2013 Report Share Posted March 7, 2013 I don't wish to appear rude but it's each to his own. Those that choose not to have a servo will not convince those that have a servo that their choice is somehow "not in keeping". And vice versa of course and that is the beauty of personal choice. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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