I have an 03 ZO6 with 20K on it ...I bought it at 15K and basically drive it
every day...started to have a braking problem at speeds above 65, I would get a nasty vibration when braking. Finally determined it was coming from the rear brakes...esp the left rear. I got Napa rotors and a set of Hawk ceramic pads for the rear. Job went very smoothy...I cleaned
and lube all sliding pins, cleaned the hub...installed new rotors and pads.
When looking at the old rotors...the left one was definitely chewed up a
little, even though the stock pads had plenty of meat left.

Anyhow...I didn't bleed the system...figuring I would see how it felt as is.
The brakes were awesome from the get go..nice high and hard pedal and
the stopping power, even when breaking them in gently would just push you
forward in the seat if you didn't watch out. I was very happy.

Now...10 days later...all of a sudden the brakes feel weak and the pedal
has gotten soft...they should be getting better as they break in. I was
accelerating briskly last night and went to stop and almost overshot my
turn.

What to do now? Should I flush out the system? Keep in mind the fronts
are still factory stock and look quite good to me. There is no pulsation
however...I did notice the idle dips whenever I slow down the car. I do
have a vacuum bleeder...should I use it?

HELP!

 

Do you really need someone to tell you to flush and bleed your brakes with fresh fluid?

 

Get some speed bleeders from Russell to make it an easy 1 man job...and yes, you basically answered your own question.

 

Hey,

Flush the fluid really well and your pedal should become much harder. The best way is the 2 man method.

- Joe

 

I put Russell SS lines on my Z this weekend. Did not have an extra person to help. So I cut off an old golf shaft with the grip still on, opened the bleeder, pushed the pedal down with the golf shaft, rested the grip end against the seat, shut the bleeder and removed the shaft. Did that 3 times on each wheel. Worked great! The electric seat helps with correct pedal travel if you do not get the shaft length right.

Ed

 

Fresh fluid and get some SS lines while you are at it. That will make a big difference in the feel.

 

check the hoses on the vacuum booster.