Wilwood Brake & Clutch Pedal Description - Manual (Page 3)

BALANCE BAR ADJUSTMENT
The balance bar is an adjustable lever (usually a threaded rod), that pivots on a spherical bearing and uses two separate
master cylinders for the front and rear brakes. Most balance bars are part of a pedal assembly that also provides a mounting
for the master cylinders. When the balance bar is centered, it pushes equally on both master cylinders creating equal pressure,
given that the master cylinders are the same size bore. When adjusted as far as possible toward one master cylinder it
will push approximately twice as hard on that cylinder as the other, Figure 2.
Thread the master cylinder pushrods through their respective clevises to obtain the desired position. Threading one
pushrod into its respective clevis means threading the other one out the same amount. Sometimes this will lead to a
“cocked” balance bar when the pedal is in the relaxed position, see Figure 2, “no pedal effort”. This is perfectly acceptable
as long as each master cylinder pushrod is completely free of pressure when the pedal is relaxed.
Notes:
To obtain maximum performance from your brake system you should utilize Wilwoods quick check gauge, P/N 260-0966.
This gauge allows for quick brake line pressure checks from 0 - 1,500 psi for assisting brake bias set-up.
A flexible hose or cable connecting the balance bar (threaded rod) to an accessible knob or crank (similar to a drill auger) is
a popular way of adjusting brake bias to accommodate changes in track conditions and vehicle handling.
FRONT M/C
REAR M/C
FRONT M/C
REAR M/C
FRONT M/C
REAR M/C
NO PEDAL EFFORT
NOTE:
THE PUSHROD ADJUSTMENT DEPICTED IN THIS FIGURE IS REPRESENTATIVE OF A TYPICAL ASPHALT APPLICATION.
THAT IS, LARGE CALIPER PISTONS IN FRONT, SMALL CALIPER PISTONS IN THE REAR.
MODERATE PEDAL EFFORT HEAVY PEDAL EFFORT
Figure 2. Balance bar lever adjustment
MOUNTING PLATE
PEDAL STOP
ADJUSTMENT
NUT
PEDAL RETURN
SPRING
(OPTIONAL)
SEE DETAIL "A"
DETAIL "A"
INTERNAL VIEW OF MASTER CYLINDER
LARGE
HOLE(S)
COUNTERSUNK
PRESSURE
RELIEF HOLE
PISTON MUST
FULLY RETRACT
PAST THE PRESSURE
RELIEF HOLE
PUSHROD ALLOWED TO FULLY
RETURN TO SNAP RING
Figure 1. Master cylinder pedal stop and return hole position
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