Does anyone have power brakes in an 11?

[Larry LewisParticipant]

I’m considering installing a servo in my 11B. Has anyone done it? Is it worth doing?

[David FaulknerParticipant]

I put one on my 11BL Larry after seeing one fitted on an 11B. Used an MGB ‘remote’ servo after advice from Andy Burnet which James plumbed in for me after I mounted it. Definitely worth it for me and detailed here: https://osl282.info/page.php?31

[Ian HarveyParticipant]

I have just fitted one on my 11BL and am writing an article for FP at the moment!   I used a servo kit for an MGB/MGA/Morris 1000 and the hardest part was running the pipes from one side of the engine bay to the other, but apart from being very fiddly and time consuming, it went ok and has made a noticeable difference.

[Richard LarterParticipant]

I fitted a popular after market Lockheed servo. Not enough space on the offside near the master cylinder which would have been easier (Light 15 with twin SU carbs) so I fitted it on the nearside, more pipework and I lost the hot air heater. Main problem was pipe size, the Citroen pipe size is 1/4″ but servos are 3/16″ so adaptors are required.

Cheers Richard

[Larry LewisParticipant]

Thanks for the information- I can buy a new servo for a 1955-57 Ford Thunderbird that will fit nicely on the drivers side of my 11B. The ones that you all mention would work too, but I would like to be able to hold in my hand each one to see which one will fit best. The Thunderbird unit would be more easily available on this side of the pond. A 55-57 Thunderbird is a rather heavy car even though its a two-seater and does have a  V8 engine. It might be too much for a Traction but I will look into it.

[David FaulknerParticipant]

Larry you don’t want much more than 1.90 boost talking to Andy Burnet so a 7″ or 8″ should be enough. Much more than that and the brakes lock up apparently.

[TOC HelplineParticipant]

I know the late Mike Tennant had a servo fitted to his braking system, but I do not know what happened to his car.

 

[Ian HarveyParticipant]

Easier on a lhd car!

[Larry LewisParticipant]

Thanks for the advice- something to keep in mind if I do it.

[Robert Mitchell-WilliamsParticipant]

I don’t have servo assisted brakes in my 11 but have completed a floating brake shoe conversion that has improved braking performance to the point where the wheels can be locked up under heavy braking.

Key thing to consider is achieving uniform contact between the brake lining and the drums across the whole available braking surface of the drums.

The original Citroen design involves the shoes pivoting on a fixed point resulting in minimal contact and very poor adjustment as the linings wear. The reduced surface area in contact provides far less friction hence the need to push the shoes harder and the requirement for a servo to assist to get reasonable stopping power.

If the brake shoes can ‘float’ you can achieve full contact between the brake lining and the drums, the extra contact area between the two allows for far more friction to be generated allowing good stopping power without the extra force from a servo. The additional benefit is that the brakes can also be adjusted on the snail cam as the wear allowing for better life from a set of linings before they require replacement.

More details on the conversion kit I have installed and manufacture can be found here:

https://www.yellowboxengineering.co.uk/floating-brake-shoe-upgrade

https://www.yellowboxengineering.co.uk/store/Front-Floating-Brake-Shoe-Conversion-Kit-for-Citroen-Traction-Avant-4-Cylinder-p154947526

[Richard LarterParticipant]

Like this.A simple modification

Cheers Richard

[Larry LewisParticipant]

The floating shoe method looks like the way to go but I would have to have the drums and shoes matched over here which won’t be a problem. Glad to know that Roger W. is still kicking.

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