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04-09-2012, 02:59 AM | #1 |
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Brake Firmness
My brake pedal goes down an inch or two before really biting. However I've driven stock BMWs that have immediate and very firm action. I've got pretty much new front rotors (rears are due soon) and the pads aren't that old.
How do I make them firmer? Steel lines? Adjustment?
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04-09-2012, 04:15 AM | #3 |
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EBC Greenstuff. About 10,000km on them. However, the brakes have never been firm, even when stock.
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04-09-2012, 04:57 AM | #4 |
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Just to clarify, you are talking about the pressure of the pedal, not the actual bite of the pads? After the 1-2 inches I assume they work as expected, you would just prefer to remove that inch of dead travel?
I've experienced the same thing but have no idea how to fix it.. Sorry. |
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04-09-2012, 05:59 AM | #6 |
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Bled the brakes recently?
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04-09-2012, 08:19 AM | #7 |
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Definitely the stock pads.
My dealer explained after enquiring that the stock pads are soft. Since moving to bendix I have a lot better immediate response and feel. I'm on bendix blues at the moment and will stick with them. I've given them the absolute beans and smoked out a few times and they withstand the beatings with pleasure. |
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04-09-2012, 02:27 PM | #8 |
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Tay, as my previous post noted, I'm not using stocks anymore.
Yes, I'm referring to the pedal travel and feel. They have been bled properly so can't be air in the lines.
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04-09-2012, 05:41 PM | #9 |
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Stock pads were designed with a compound that created very high initial bite and then even off and then start to taper off. Aftermarket pads loose that initial bite that we feel as a high pedal. With aftermarket pads we give up high initial bite for a longer mor linear brake feel and stopping power. It's A trade off.
After the summer I switch back to stock pads as I have no need for the added performance in the winter or post track season.
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04-09-2012, 05:46 PM | #10 |
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My stock pads bit quite well to begin with, I recently had new ones fitted (still stock) but they have a fair bit less bite than before...
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04-09-2012, 05:57 PM | #11 |
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I had the same feeling after switching to SS lines, SRF and Stoptech calipers. I used a pressure bleeder when originally replacing the brake fluid. After bedding the brake pads, I went out a purposely engaged the antilock a few times. Then I bled the brakes again. First with a pressure bleeder, then the old fashion way (the two person method). It was shocking to see how much air came out of the lines. My pedal travel is probably 1/4" now. You may want to give this a try.
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04-09-2012, 06:00 PM | #12 | |
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Quote:
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04-09-2012, 07:17 PM | #13 | |
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Quote:
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04-09-2012, 08:21 PM | #14 |
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I just felt that I could get more pressure from the master cylinder than the brake bleeder without fear of blowing the cap off the fluid reservoir. When you open the bleed screw, you'll see that the fluid flows out much faster than when using the pressure bleeder. Probably goes without saying but make sure the car is running if you do the two person method.
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