Black Magic Brakes Big Brake Kit: A Review in Series
- Thread starter TJustin
- Start date
It is by far the superior method for bench bleeding. First, it is very fast and easy to do. Then, it tells you if you have a good part. If the seals have a problem, it won't come up and it will tell you that in a hurry. As one who has bled and installed several bad masters in a row from Cardone, I have a very high appreciation for that.
Bled the brakes yesterday. I utilized the Brake Bleeding lockout tool included in the kit. Started at the caliper furthest away from the master and worked closer to the master and vacated air out of the braking system.
Finally got the rig drivable this weekend, and was able to begin the break-in process for the BMB kit. It is well stated in the instructions as well as online that you will experience diminished braking response, and I would agree. That being said, I didn't feel that the braking was anywhere near bad enough to make it hazardous to drive, but at a minimum very important to make you aware so you drive it appropriately.
I live about a short distance from agriculture, meaning open roads and a perfect place to follow the break-in procedure outlined in the kit. I pulled onto a road with little traffic and began the process. I accelerated to 40 mph and once reaching the prescribed speed, I stood on the brakes, and repeated this process 4 times. I was surprised that on the 2nd slowdown I was able to lock up my 39" KM3's. After the 4 slowdowns, I proceeded to drive 15-20 minutes through the country side, avoiding the use of the brakes as much as possible. I did notice a bit longer brake pedal travel over stock, but am attributing to the larger volume needed to activate the much larger calipers. After the cooldown time, I repeated the 4 rapid slowdowns and returned home where the Jeep rested while I checked the rig over from the brake and transmission swap.
I have some fine tuning to do to the Jeep in regards to the transmission and plan to do another round of break-in later this week. Even without the pads well seasoned yet (as they say), I can already tell an improved braking performance over the factory calipers and Bosch brake pads.
I live about a short distance from agriculture, meaning open roads and a perfect place to follow the break-in procedure outlined in the kit. I pulled onto a road with little traffic and began the process. I accelerated to 40 mph and once reaching the prescribed speed, I stood on the brakes, and repeated this process 4 times. I was surprised that on the 2nd slowdown I was able to lock up my 39" KM3's. After the 4 slowdowns, I proceeded to drive 15-20 minutes through the country side, avoiding the use of the brakes as much as possible. I did notice a bit longer brake pedal travel over stock, but am attributing to the larger volume needed to activate the much larger calipers. After the cooldown time, I repeated the 4 rapid slowdowns and returned home where the Jeep rested while I checked the rig over from the brake and transmission swap.
I have some fine tuning to do to the Jeep in regards to the transmission and plan to do another round of break-in later this week. Even without the pads well seasoned yet (as they say), I can already tell an improved braking performance over the factory calipers and Bosch brake pads.
Depends on the rig. As long as folks know to be very careful, that is all that matters.
There needs to be a better way for me to explain it, but you are trying to get into hot fade before you start the cool down. Try that on the next break in session.
The excess pedal travel is from a combination of things but not the larger master. It is too small master for the caliper piston area but the booster can't do much with a larger master so we compromise. The new caliper piston seals will over retract for a bit and then stop being silly after a while. That will get rid of some of the extra travel. Adjusting the booster push rod will get rid of any that is left that needs to go.
The stock calipers and Bosch pads are a pretty low bar. We can do better than that with just a set of our pads.
Noted. Will do. Should be able to do that in the next couple days. Should I focus more on getting into brake fade more than counting the number of reps?
Makes sense.
LOL!The stock calipers and Bosch pads are a pretty low bar. We can do better than that with just a set of our pads.
I want to see more of those mountains! Maybe next time you stop to cool down click a couple pics!
After you get everything correctly done .. would love to see a video if you can take something like below. This is a Blaine built, LS swapped jeep on 40s/RJ60s with his BBK with hydroboost. One of my favorite videos out there primarily because it's very short yet shows perfectly what a good dedicated build, by someone that really understandings fundamentals, can do. No brake dive, no bad behaviors, just superb stopping power.
Your BBK won't be that far behind.
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Adjusted the kickdown cable last night and took it out for round 2 of break in. First rep I stood on the brakes initially and immediately locked both front tires up, and let off enough to not let them continue to skid, but slow down rapidly. Did about 6 or 7 reps total this time around. Got brake fade on the last rep and then drove it around for 20 minutes, only using the brakes when necessary.
Pedal travel has noticeably improved, and is seemingly requiring less pedal input to obtain the same stopping power.
Hoping to get the rig out in the next weekend or two for a shakedown, and will report back on my experience in low range.
Bottom line, there is some black magic going on with the brakes, didn't know I could get this kind of stopping power out of a Jeep with oversized tires. I'm loving it.
Pedal travel has noticeably improved, and is seemingly requiring less pedal input to obtain the same stopping power.
Hoping to get the rig out in the next weekend or two for a shakedown, and will report back on my experience in low range.
Bottom line, there is some black magic going on with the brakes, didn't know I could get this kind of stopping power out of a Jeep with oversized tires. I'm loving it.
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And now you know.
The cold bite is the "magic" that makes this all work. Most high performance pads work really well when they are hot. Getting something to work at that first cold stop, that's the hard part. As much as I'd like to take any credit for that, I'm just the lucky recipient of someone giving me a call and telling me to go test them and then sent me a set.
It also helps if you keep using them enthusiastically until they are bedded and seasoned. The pedal input will continue to lessen until they are fully broken in.
And, for future reference, Chris will link this to every 12th month contest with a warning to the potential winners that you've set the standard they have to meet for a write-up or just take the money.
The cold bite you mentioned is quite impressive.
Noted. My boys enjoyed my erratic driving behavior, I'm sure they won't mind.
I'll take that as a win. Thanks.And, for future reference, Chris will link this to every 12th month contest with a warning to the potential winners that you've set the standard they have to meet for a write-up or just take the money.
Can do. The skidding will be entertaining, I can already tell you though, it won't resist brake dive like Blaine's rigs do.
Took the Jeep out over the weekend to the UT West desert to a place called Little Moab to shake the build down in prep for my trip to big Moab next weekend. Brakes worked great. I was worried about the 32rh driving through the brakes being paired with 5:1 gearing in my 2-speed Atlas. No issues there, and the big brake kit was able to lock the tires up as I skidded coming down some obstacles.
I am pleased.
I did not get video of it dropping down any obstacles, but here is an obstacle we call the Mini Dump Bump.
I am pleased.
I did not get video of it dropping down any obstacles, but here is an obstacle we call the Mini Dump Bump.
I like how your video showing off the BBK is you holding the gas pedal
I acknowledged that in the post. Didn't have the camera out for everything. Apologies.
I acknowledged that in the post. Didn't have the camera out for everything. Apologies.
Haha I'm just joking around, it's a good writeup and a sweet video.
Final Update: Very satisfied with the brakes. Ran Pritchett Canyon 2 weeks ago with my brother and father. Between the last time I posted, and the trip to Pritchett Canyon I installed a set of Mickey Thompson Baja Bosses.
The brakes worked great. I may have mentioned it above but I was concerned about driving through the brakes after the auto swap and the 5.0:1 Atlas t-case, but that is a non-issue. Even on the steepest downhill scenarios on Pritchett, I was not left for wanting more braking power, or in scenarios where the Jeep at idle could overpower the brakes.
@lBasket we made sure to get video of the Jeep actually braking this time, just for you. haha Cameras don't do steepness justice. The video makes this area relatively flat, just know it isn't. For interested parties, I have a full video of us running Pritchett Canyon on my channel.
I may periodically update this, but largely I'll be done. Feel free to post up if you have specific questions.
The brakes worked great. I may have mentioned it above but I was concerned about driving through the brakes after the auto swap and the 5.0:1 Atlas t-case, but that is a non-issue. Even on the steepest downhill scenarios on Pritchett, I was not left for wanting more braking power, or in scenarios where the Jeep at idle could overpower the brakes.
@lBasket we made sure to get video of the Jeep actually braking this time, just for you. haha
Cameras don't do steepness justice. The video makes this area relatively flat, just know it isn't. For interested parties, I have a full video of us running Pritchett Canyon on my channel.I may periodically update this, but largely I'll be done. Feel free to post up if you have specific questions.
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