Brake Firmness

BMWRX · 04-09-2012, 02:59 AM

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?

BMW86 · 04-09-2012, 03:07 AM

Are you using stock pads? I've read that most aftermarket pads don't bite as hard as the OEM pads. How many km's on the pads?

BMWRX · 04-09-2012, 04:15 AM

EBC Greenstuff. About 10,000km on them. However, the brakes have never been firm, even when stock.

Dec540 · 04-09-2012, 04:57 AM

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.

BMW86 · 04-09-2012, 05:24 AM

Seems really odd. I think best bet is to jump in someone else's 135i and see if the braking behaviour is consistent.

AussieRacer · 04-09-2012, 05:59 AM

Bled the brakes recently?

Taymaishu · 04-09-2012, 08:19 AM

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.

BMWRX · 04-09-2012, 02:27 PM

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.

DriveHard · 04-09-2012, 05:41 PM

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.

BBK · 04-09-2012, 05:46 PM

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...

Pig Farmer · 04-09-2012, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMWRX

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.

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.

Pig Farmer · 04-09-2012, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pig Farmer

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.

Oh, one more recommendation... Tap the calipers with a rubber mallet while bleeding to help the air escape the calipers.

TimMc · 04-09-2012, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pig Farmer

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.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pig Farmer

Oh, one more recommendation... Tap the calipers with a rubber mallet while bleeding to help the air escape the calipers.

Interesting. What benefit would the old fashioned method have over the pressure bleeder method? Love my pressure bleeder! Good recommendation with the tapping.

Pig Farmer · 04-09-2012, 08:21 PM

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.

04-09-2012, 02:59 AM	#1
BMWRX Major 98 Rep 1,092 Posts Drives: F82 M4 CP Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Brisbane, Queensland iTrader: (0) Garage List 2017 BMW M4 [0.00]	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? __________________ 2017 BMW M4 Competition - Mineral Grey 2009 BMW 135i - Titan Silver - SOLD
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04-09-2012, 03:07 AM	#2
BMW86 Major General 398 Rep 9,156 Posts Drives: RS3 Sedan / Macan S Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Australia iTrader: (0)	Are you using stock pads? I've read that most aftermarket pads don't bite as hard as the OEM pads. How many km's on the pads?
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04-09-2012, 04:15 AM	#3
BMWRX Major 98 Rep 1,092 Posts Drives: F82 M4 CP Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Brisbane, Queensland iTrader: (0) Garage List 2017 BMW M4 [0.00]	EBC Greenstuff. About 10,000km on them. However, the brakes have never been firm, even when stock. __________________ 2017 BMW M4 Competition - Mineral Grey 2009 BMW 135i - Titan Silver - SOLD
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04-09-2012, 04:57 AM	#4
Dec540 Captain 136 Rep 677 Posts Drives: M2 LCI Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sunshine Coast, Australia iTrader: (0)	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, 05:24 AM	#5
BMW86 Major General 398 Rep 9,156 Posts Drives: RS3 Sedan / Macan S Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Australia iTrader: (0)	Seems really odd. I think best bet is to jump in someone else's 135i and see if the braking behaviour is consistent.
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04-09-2012, 05:59 AM	#6
AussieRacer Major 24 Rep 1,058 Posts Drives: 2008 135i Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Aust iTrader: (0)	Bled the brakes recently? __________________ Current: 135i Auto, Le Mans Blue - w/ Bridgestone RE-11 rears, GP Thunder 7500k angels, & "golf tee" mod plus a few M3 suspension bits and pieces...
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04-09-2012, 08:19 AM	#7
Taymaishu Banned 145 Rep 3,016 Posts Drives: I love massive black cocks Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: in my ass and around my mouth iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 125i [5.50]	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.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-09-2012, 02:27 PM	#8
BMWRX Major 98 Rep 1,092 Posts Drives: F82 M4 CP Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Brisbane, Queensland iTrader: (0) Garage List 2017 BMW M4 [0.00]	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. __________________ 2017 BMW M4 Competition - Mineral Grey 2009 BMW 135i - Titan Silver - SOLD
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04-09-2012, 05:41 PM	#9
DriveHard Colonel 115 Rep 1,998 Posts Drives: X1 and R58 JCW Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Long Island iTrader: (0)	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. __________________ X1, R58 JCW, M2 in my future if planets align
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04-09-2012, 05:46 PM	#10
BBK Banned 88 Rep 3,070 Posts Drives: A boring one... Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Australia iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 BMW 135i [5.76]	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, 08:21 PM	#14
Pig Farmer Major 340 Rep 1,293 Posts Drives: E92M Join Date: May 2010 Location: Florida iTrader: (0)	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.
	Appreciate 0 Quote