I just recently replaced my front brakes with performance pads and rotors hoping it would help but it didnt. the pedal has no feel for the first 2 or 3 inches and then they are real soft after that. if i slam on them it stops but not like they should especially with the new brakes. they were like this before the brake job except the old rotors were shot so now its smoother then before. any ideas would be great.

thanks

joe

 

maybe there isn't enough pressure in the brake lines. I know after my first brake job, the pedal felt really stiff for a little while, then it finally softened.

 

air in the lines or a bad brake booster sounds like to me..

 

did you bleed the brakes?

 

+1! I think you might have some air in your lines. Bleed them and let us know what the situation is.

 

+2. and before you do it again and waste more fluid, get some Speed Bleeders and replace the stock brake hoses with stainless steel if they have miles on them. Speed Bleeders rule. You can bleed them by your self. IE, not making the wifey/girlie help. that in itself is worth the $24.00.

 

When new brake rotors are shipped they have a "shipping oil", thin film of rust preventative on them. Been selling car parts for 20 years and never did see one without it. If you did not clean this off, with at least 1 can ofbrake cleaner per rotor and a roll of paper towels, you will get the symptoms that you describe.
Second choice would be air in the lines, butr if you didn't open the system, can't see how air would have gotten in.

 

One can per rotor? Dang thats alot of brake cleaner. I know its farily cheap but isnt that a wee bit of overkill.

 

man cant figure out why thae landfills are filling up after ya do that run 2 galons of brake fluid thru the system to make sure ya got it all flushed (shipping oil burns off...no need to clean it off)[sm=boosign.gif][sm=boosign.gif][sm=boosign.gif][sm=funnypostabove.gif][sm=funnypostabove.gif]

 

Seems to me like air in the lines, check the master cyl. to see if it is leeking. you might have run the fluid low and let air in that way. How did you push the caliper piston in? If you use scored the outside of the piston this will cause it to cut the rubber seal and will cause a leak which might be your problem too!

Also Mikec04, I think you need to find some better brake cleaner! Gunk is the best stuff and it is the only kind I sell at my parts store.

Plus imnothot2 you are right it will burn off but it can cause your brakes to squeel if not cleaned off. Organic pads definately do not like the stuff and can cause the pads to crystalize and groan real bad.