Brakes - Part 2
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 18
Likes: 3
From: Royal Oak, MI
Brakes - Part 2
Okay, so I just recently replaced my brake pads, (rubber) lines, and did a flush (Motive power bleeder). The front pads were thin, the rears were pretty shot (the car has 55K on the clock and were likely original). I went for a test drive around the neighborhood - glorious! They felt perfect, car rolled freely, no longer wooden, etc. All great stuff.
This morning went for a longer drive - started out fine, then eventually I was smelling a whiff of brake pad. Clutching the car at stops, it wasn't rolling as freely - call it slightly hanging up. The wooden pedal feel returned. Back at the garage, all four wheels were hot to the touch.
Normal for (way thicker) new pads? Adjustments I should be making? I'm all eyes and ears.
Still very, very in love with this car - guidance or insights most appreciated.
This morning went for a longer drive - started out fine, then eventually I was smelling a whiff of brake pad. Clutching the car at stops, it wasn't rolling as freely - call it slightly hanging up. The wooden pedal feel returned. Back at the garage, all four wheels were hot to the touch.
Normal for (way thicker) new pads? Adjustments I should be making? I'm all eyes and ears.
Still very, very in love with this car - guidance or insights most appreciated.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,354
Likes: 325
From: San Antonio Tx
My brakes were dragging enough that if I stopped in my driveway after a long drive it would not roll back down the slope. When I pulled the calipers it took alot of pressure with a c clamp to push in the pistons. With new seals in the caliper pistons on the bench I could push in the pistons with my thumbs. Problem solved. Also check the parking brake adjustment. Master cylinder pushrod adjustment can cause dragging but not likely unless you recently replaced the master cylinder.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 18
Likes: 3
From: Royal Oak, MI
My brakes were dragging enough that if I stopped in my driveway after a long drive it would not roll back down the slope. When I pulled the calipers it took alot of pressure with a c clamp to push in the pistons. With new seals in the caliper pistons on the bench I could push in the pistons with my thumbs. Problem solved. Also check the parking brake adjustment. Master cylinder pushrod adjustment can cause dragging but not likely unless you recently replaced the master cylinder.
I do recall using a c-clamp to push the old pistons in (with the pad of course), but didn't recall having to use a LOT of force to do so. What was weird here is that it started out fine - and ended up with all four wheels hot and about the same temp. I'll look up the parking brake adjustment. I've done lots of brake jobs (cars and bikes) but never rebuilt a caliper before - I suspect it isn't too difficult but somewhat intimidated as I have not done it before. I'm sure getting rebuilt calipers is a waste of money but liking the ease of the idea. Wondering about aftermarket setups (Power Stop, etc.)
I have had the car all of three weeks and of course am anxious to start driving it regularly.
Thanks again.
