Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Brakes Soft pedal?'s

Lookin for some advice. I just finished up a couple days of hard track driving and was a little frustrated by what I think is a very soft brake pedal. I have switched to stainless lines, Valvoline Syn fluid, KVR pads and Powerstop cross drilled rotors but the pedal is way soft, especially when compared to my Audi. Any suggestions as to firming it up. I have new pads to put on, it's been bled twice since installing the lines, no evident leaks....

I think the KVR pads might be your problem. I'm no expert but the reason I didn't get them was there long warm up times. And there poor performance in the rain. This is just the input I got from other ppl. You may want to try some Mintec or EBC. Just a though.

Hope it helps,

Justin

Since someone mentioned soft pedals has anybody noticed this problem - One day I got in my car and noticed that the pedal was not as firm as it was before, still stops fine just not as good as it was. I never bothered with the dealership because I knew they would never be able to notice and would just pass it off. This happened months ago when the car had about 17K on it, the pads are excellent. I flushed the entire system and installed a synthetic brake fluid which made no difference. Anybody notice the same problem or am I just a loon?

I had a similar problem with my 97 gl. When I first got it the brakes were solid. But after having basically the entire system rebult piece by piece, the pedal became soft. The dealer passed it off, saying it felt normal to them, even when I had them compare it to my 98. They work fine, just a longish pedal, and not quite as firm and linear as the 98. I'm going to flush it for some synth soon, maybe add braided lines. Any ideas? seeya cp.

I got rid of my KVR pads a few years ago because they made my brakes worse. Didn't improve untill I got them blazing hot and I still was not impressed. Get the Mintex. I am using AC Delco HP pads at present. Far better than the PF and Raybestos too. I found that low dust/long life meant soft pedal/ lower performance.

This isn't the complete answer to a very complex issue, but until new pads are fully bedded into the rotors the pedal will be noticably softer than before. This is a very common complaint when brake pads are replaced, especially if the rotors are not machined at the same time.

Beyond that, the most common cause of a soft pedal is air in the system or old fluid. Fresh fluid with old but still excellent pads often feels noticably firmer.

The pedal can also be soft from a worn master cylinder, but this is quite uncommon.

I had a similar problem. I had installed new pads and the brakes gots very soft. The problem was the rotors. If the rotors are not resurfaced along with the new pads, the old groves on the rotors reduce the contact area with the new pads.

That, and people don't seem to be able to put the caliper springs back on properly. This makes a HUGE...lemme say this again...HUGE difference in pedal feel. As in, gee...the pedal goes to the floor vs. normal feel.

Make sure the spings go on the side of the caliper brackets facing the rear of the car! They should be a bit of a pain to put back on.

I'm going to have to get pictures of good vs. bad placement, since most people can't get it right. It took me a while to figure out!

-Lance

Grooves in rotors give more,not less contact area....think about it...draw a wavy line between two points, now draw a straight line, now straighten the wavy line....which is longer!!!????

I think what he is saying is initially, your pads ride on the high spots in those grooves until the pads bed in.

But I hear what you are saying.

TB