Brakes help!

[Jfjordan5]

I'm kinda new to this. But I recently bought a ken bar streaker go kart with a 13hp honda gx390 engine on it and a comet 40 torque converter. My brakes however are extremely weak. How do I tighten them? Or do I need to just buy new pads and rotors? And where do I find the right pads and rotors to buy if I do need them?

 

[Poboy kartman]

Welcome to the forum and please fill out your profile so we know where you are from. .....

 

[Axx3d]

If they are mechanical disk type.. go through and disassemble and clean the caliper and all rust off the disk. Reassemble and adjust them until they work.

 

[Jfjordan5]

How do I adjust them though?

 

[mckutzy]

You need to post a pic of what kind of brakes you have before we can help diagnosis.

 

[Jfjordan5]

 

[Poboy kartman]

Go to the general gokart discussion section. ....the second thread from the top is a sticky on how to post pictures. ....

You successfully loaded a picture....but it's better to load thumbnails. .....

 

[Jfjordan5]

http://i57.tinypic.com/s4x3x1.jpg

 

[KartFab]

There is a lever on the brake mechanism that has two holes in it, to which the brake rod should be connected. Make sure the rod is connected to the hole with the most leverage (the one closest to the end of the lever).

There is a bolt/retaining nut the comes out of the side of the brake. Loosen the retaining nut and thread the bolt in until the pads are now touching the brake disc. Back out the bolt just a little so there is just a little play in the caliper and the wheels can turn freely, but not so much that the braking power is crap. After you find the right position for this bolt, tighten the retaining nut and you are ready to go.

Properly adjusted, your brakes will be able to make the tires skid on pavement when you stomp on the brakes.

 

[mckutzy]

Ah yes mechanical brakes. They are actually not that bad for stuff like this.
A good idea is to have a helper pump the brake when you are adjusting the lever. It's also a two wrench job.