The Triumph Dolomite Club - Discussion Forum

A couple of final words on the PDWA before I let the subject go. Jeroen is perfectly correct in that these parts were almost universal on British cars fitted with Girling dual circuit brakes in the late 70s. Stags and TR6s and 7s had them as well as MGBs and Midgets and other stuff like (notably) MkI Cavaliers. But it's more than interesting to note that, after their introduction circa 1977, they were widely used, but then completely dropped, by 1982 they had completely disappeared from production cars. If they were that good, they'd still be using them today! IMO it was just a passing fad by Girling, Lockheed and other dedicated brake manufacturers didn't make or sell a comparable unit. Either that or they were an attempt to comply with projected legislation from somewhere (USA maybe?) that failed to materialize. Like the much touted "no more convertibles" law in California which caused all the early TR7s to be built as hardtops and which turned out to be BS.

The other point, and I know one instance is not a statistical universe, back in 78, I was road testing a brand new Cavalier 2.0 MkI after PDIing it and experienced a total brake failure which turned out to be a faulty PDWA. I wasn't going fast, fortunately and managed to haul it to a stop with the handbrake, but it gave me a bit of a moment! There was no fluid loss and i'm still not sure how I lost all pedal on a dual system, but there you are. It was replaced under warranty and, from the alacrity with which the claim was accepted, I infer it wasn't unheard of. OTOH, i've never experienced such a failure since, nor do I know anyone who has, but I have heard reports from other dual circuit Dolomite owners where failure of a single circuit has resulted in a total loss of effective pedal, which kinda negates the point of having dual circuit brakes! I don't know whether this is down to the PDWA, it's only a suspicion, none of the cars i've deleted the PDWA on (now in double figures) has yet suffered a circuit failure.

Steve

PS, Dunhookin, you have a PM!

Having just fitted a club refurbished MC to my 1500SE I wish I had found this before I tried bleeding the brakes. I used a pressure bleeder at 18 psi (hand pumped) and the fronts were not a problem but I have no fluid at the rear so will have to start again.....

If all else fails, I'm still supplying the PDWA bypass kit if you need one!

Steve

If all else fails, I'm still supplying the PDWA bypass kit if you need one!

Steve

But for many years, when I get another Dolomite shaped car (or a customer car for work) the first thing I do is sort the braking system and one thing I ALWAYS do is swap out the original flexi hoses for the Goodridge braided type. I've never had one of those fail in this way. Which, in my book, is the best reason for doing it. I'm aware that many people think it's overkill/not necessary on street cars and even some who claim they aren't as safe (like to see some evidence please) All I can say is they work for me, fit and forget!

I use my own cars pretty hard on road and track and have done for more than 12 years and many thousands of miles in some cars. No failures to date.

Steve