Gentlemen I am in need of your knowlege...


I replaced my brake pads about 8 months ago. Since the replacement my brakes have felt softer then they were originally. If I tap the brake pedal first before I brake then I get the full firm pedal back.

I am wondering if a full brake flush would solve my problem or if anyone else has experienced this issue?

The car has 60,000 miles on it with this fluid. I don't track my car... yet I want to start and would like to have my brakes back to origianl spec. I replaced the pads with OEM pads and shims.


Thanks

 

sounds like they just need a good bleed. Having air in the lines will cause that "mushy" feel in the pedal

 

If your fluid is that old, then that is definitely the problem. You should do a full fluid flush, not just a bleed. My brakes started feeling mushy after only 6 months / 10K miles.

 

If you pump the brakes and the petal comes up you have air or the calipers are not moving freely . When the calipers stick the pistons can be pushed back in the calipers requiring the pump of the petal , to move them closer so they can squeeze on the rotor. The stainless steel anti-rattle clips are designed to keep the pads close to rotors , to minimize pad movement . This will reduce petal travel . The stock calipers require a lot of movement to get clamping force required to stop the car . Any items that are not correct will increase this movement and create the petal feel that you are describing.

brad

 

I'll add my support to the flush and bleed of brake fluid. At 60k miles, it's long past time to do this and will eliminate one more variable from your list.

 

I'll agree that a bleed will probably solve the problem.. and there is nothing wrong with a flush. But mileage has nothing to do with it.. there are plenty of cars driven many miles in a relatively short time with minimal brake use.. and the fluid is fine.

 

This is true. However, the car has 60k humid Louisiana miles on it, not dry Texas miles .

 

I get the impression that this fluid has seen 60K miles over 1 to 2 years.

 

Interesting about the shims... So what you are saying is if they didn't put the shims on correctly this could be the cause?

I do plan on flushing my brake fluid soon. I will keep everyone informed.

 

no im almost positive that the shims arent the problem