Brake Balance bar installation

Updated 05/16/2011:

As expected, after the 4-pot Mazda brake were installed, I have way too much front brake. So, I need to find a way to change the bias to back somehow.

There are typically 2 ways to do it:

- Brake line pressure regulator

- Brake balance bar

Here's a link to StopTech article to read more.

 

I decided to go with a Tilton balance bar with a remote adjustment. Master cylinders are Tilton 75 series.

Master cylinders and balance bar is mounted to a mounting plate installed where the brake booster was. Brake booster is now gone.

Balance bar is connected to the stock mounting point and pedal ratio is kept stock.

Here's the balance bar before installation:

 

And here installed:

 

 

Brakes do work and they stop the car but since I didn't change the pedal ratio, brakes are very hard and a lot of pressure is required to stop the car. It is not safe like it is now.

Typical pedal ratio for a car equipped with booster is around 4. Pedal is about 12" long and the brake booster is connected about 3" from the pivot point, so pedal ratio is about 4. Car's without booster have a pedal ratio around 6. Since I have to modify the pedal anyway, I'm going to make it adjustable between 6 to 8.

After balance bar installation brake bleeding procedure is different. Now both axles have to be bled at the same time.