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Thread: Wilwood balance bar adjuster for brakes

  1. #1
    Senior Member danmas's Avatar
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    Wilwood balance bar adjuster for brakes

    I’m trying to figure out where to mount the adjusting knob. I don’t want it on the dash proper for aesthetic reasons. I’m a large guy and the driver side foot box is already tight. I’m thinking I could mount it under the dash on the passenger side. I could also mount it on the transmission tunnel but that feels busy. I have also thought about mounting it in the glove box. It won’t be used a lot but it is still accessible. Other options?

    Thanks!
    Dan
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    Mk4 complete kit arrived 10 May 23
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    Senior Member gbranham's Avatar
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    How about on the 2x2 below the dash, near where the manual suggests placement of the inertia switch? I'm curious why folks install these knobs, though. If you dial in your brakes via the balance bar when in go kart stage, do you need to adjust them again, or with any frequency? I guess it allows you to dial it in while driving?
    Last edited by gbranham; 12-02-2024 at 09:38 PM.
    Built an early MkIII years ago, sold years ago. Back after 18 years to build a MkIV
    Build Thread Here Partners: Levy Racing, Summit Racing, LMR, Breeze, Forte's Parts, Speedhut, Amazon
    MkIV Complete Kit Ordered 4/18/23, Delivered 7/11/23, Boss 427W, Edelbrock Pro Flo 4, TKX (.68 5th), IRS, Wilwood Brakes, 18" Halibrands, Toyo R888R Tires, Custom Speedhut Gauges

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    Senior Member danmas's Avatar
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    I think I’m going to copy blitzboy and install a center console stereo there.
    I’m installing it because Gordon Levy of Levy racing said I should and since I have his monster brake setup it make sense to do it. I think if you track the car, and I might, it’s useful to fine tune the brakes. And it’s a fun puzzle to solve.
    Last edited by danmas; 12-02-2024 at 10:38 PM.
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    Mk4 complete kit arrived 10 May 23
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    Senior Member ydousurf's Avatar
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    Hey Dan, I’m adding one in as well. I plan to put mine behind the primary dash on this secondary dash, along with my headlight switch and a few other “hidden” controls too.
    https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/albu...hmentid=197749

    I’m not sure I would put it in the passenger side, since if this does get adjusted without the driver knowing, then it becomes a safety hazard. Just throwing out my thoughts and idea.

    Doug
    Dj or Doug or TheLateDude
    ----- #19 of 25th Anniversary MKIV 9769 -----
    Build Link: https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/show...-Slow-Progress
    Ordered: Oct 07, 2019 / Production: Dec 28th, 2019 / Shipped: Jan 19th, 2019 First Start: In the future... / Graduation: Even further in the future...

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    Senior Member danmas's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by ydousurf View Post
    I’m not sure I would put it in the passenger side, since if this does get adjusted without the driver knowing, then it becomes a safety hazard. Just throwing out my thoughts and idea.

    Doug
    Doug,

    Thanks for this. You are spot on. I want it in a place where only I can adjust it. Really appreciate this.
    As an aside, I’m right down the road from you if you ever want to see my build or show off yours….

    Dan
    ----
    Mk4 complete kit arrived 10 May 23
    Current BOM

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  9. #6
    Member Wizbangdoodle's Avatar
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    I've got one of these too and my plan was to mount it under the dash just to the right of the steering wheel. Haven't checked fit there yet, but I think it will work.

  10. #7
    Senior Member Gordon Levy's Avatar
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    Mount it on the U panel at the front of the tunnel. Out of the way and easy to reach.
    99/2000 NASA PSO Champion-2005 west coast FFR challenge series Champions
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  12. #8
    Senior Member ydousurf's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by danmas View Post
    Doug,

    Thanks for this. You are spot on. I want it in a place where only I can adjust it. Really appreciate this.
    As an aside, I’m right down the road from you if you ever want to see my build or show off yours….

    Dan
    Yeah Dan, we’ll have to get together and do a show & tell & talk sometime soon! I actually just began working on mine again just these past couple weeks. I recently added remote battery terminals and a power cut-off switch in the trunk. This past weekend I added my grab bar on the dash and in the process of getting all the wiring all sorted out. I’m still in the pre-construction & custom modification phase. Which means I have a lot to do still. Planning to have it as a driver this coming summer. And I need to bring my build thread current too. Late as always. Anyway, carry onward with build fun…

    Doug
    Dj or Doug or TheLateDude
    ----- #19 of 25th Anniversary MKIV 9769 -----
    Build Link: https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/show...-Slow-Progress
    Ordered: Oct 07, 2019 / Production: Dec 28th, 2019 / Shipped: Jan 19th, 2019 First Start: In the future... / Graduation: Even further in the future...

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    Senior Member Blitzboy54's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by gbranham View Post
    How about on the 2x2 below the dash, near where the manual suggests placement of the inertia switch? I'm curious why folks install these knobs, though. If you dial in your brakes via the balance bar when in go kart stage, do you need to adjust them again, or with any frequency? I guess it allows you to dial it in while driving?
    I am as of right now not installing one on my second build for this reason. You definitely fine tune it after while on the road and it makes this task much easier. BUT, like you say for everyday driving you never touch it again. The other thing is though if you were to auto cross or do any track days the opposite would be true. Having the ability to adjust remotely would be a game changer. The nice thing is it would not be that hard to "retro fit" one in later. I might still do it but it's a $150 I just don't want to spend right now for something I may not ever use.

    But saying that don't be surprised if I install one....... I'm a mess


    This is what I did last time.

    Last edited by Blitzboy54; 12-03-2024 at 12:39 PM.
    Build 1 MK4 #10008 - Delivered 03/03/21, Graduated 7/20/22 - Sold 6/6/24
    Build Thread #1 https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/show...been-delivered
    Build 2 MK4 #11061- Delivered 08/24/24
    Build Thread #2 https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/show...006#post562006

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    Senior Member CraigS's Avatar
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    I had one in My MkII. Yes you get it dialed in pretty much in the first day or 2. And, if nothing ever is changed w/ tires or suspension, that would probably be good enough. But even that 1-2 day process is a heck of a lot easier if, between stops, all you have to do is twist a knob vs finding a place to get off the road and park. Also I did a lot of autocross and getting the brake bias just slightly more to the rear than you want on the street, made the entries in to hated tight corners suddenly a dream. I often made a 1 click adjustment between runs.
    FFR MkII, 408W, Tremec TKO 500, 2015 IRS, DA QA1s, Forte front bar, APE hardtop.

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    Quote Originally Posted by danmas View Post
    I’m trying to figure out where to mount the adjusting knob. I don’t want it on the dash proper for aesthetic reasons. I’m a large guy and the driver side foot box is already tight. I’m thinking I could mount it under the dash on the passenger side. I could also mount it on the transmission tunnel but that feels busy. I have also thought about mounting it in the glove box. It won’t be used a lot but it is still accessible. Other options?

    Thanks!
    Dan
    Just to add to the conversation, I ended up putting my brake bias knob under the dash on the center panel along with a battery cutoff switch. It is easily accessible (assuming I ever really use it) and looks relatively clean. Just another option to consider.

    I wrote about it a bit in my build thread: https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/show...l=1#post559614

    BrakeBias.jpg
    Last edited by BrewCityCobra; 12-03-2024 at 12:38 PM.
    BUILD THREAD: The Brew City Cobra

    Current Build: MK4 Complete Kit, Delivered December 2021; First Start November 9, 2022; Go-Cart November 23, 2022; Carbureted 427W, TKX, IRS

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  18. #12
    Senior Member Mike.Bray's Avatar
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    Here's where and how I mounted mine.



    I used a Tilton 90 degree adapter to make routing the cable easier.

    My build thread https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/show...Roadster-Build

    Thread on Stainless Steel AN brake lines.

    Thread on fasteners and torque wrenches.

  19. #13
    Senior Member danmas's Avatar
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    Hi Jesse, Yes, that’s where quite a few people suggest (Gordon and BrewCity et al.) However, thanks to your build thread I think I’m going to put an entertainment console there. Perhaps I can hang it out of the driver side panel on that entertainment console. I think it will depend on which touch screen I put there. I have seen some single din devices that have a tablet like screen out the front. I will make up something in cardboard and see how it fits. Thanks for the ideas gang.

    Dan
    Last edited by danmas; 12-03-2024 at 12:51 PM.
    ----
    Mk4 complete kit arrived 10 May 23
    Current BOM

  20. #14
    Senior Member Blitzboy54's Avatar
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    What Mike showed you is the the left of the steering column. If I was to put one it that's where I would put it too.
    Build 1 MK4 #10008 - Delivered 03/03/21, Graduated 7/20/22 - Sold 6/6/24
    Build Thread #1 https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/show...been-delivered
    Build 2 MK4 #11061- Delivered 08/24/24
    Build Thread #2 https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/show...006#post562006

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