New Brake Pads = Poor Brakes.

[EZ Tutty]

Hey all,

Changed my front brake pads a few weeks ago, Ferodo DS2500's (same as i had before), and ever since my brakes have been a bit hit and miss, however they used to be great with the same type of pads, i find low speed breaking isn't too bad, but high speed braking is appauling, and the brake pedal feels kinda hard.

The discs are well above there minimum thickness, and i've removed any lips on the inside and outside, aswell as removing the pads since fitting and using some 150grit paper to take the top layer off incase i cooked them the first time i put them in

I've also replaced the brake fluid, and bled the ABS using Vag-Com, which has made no difference at all.

I've also checked the vacuum hose that goes to the brake servo, and all seems well, the brake pedal doesn't creep if i keep my foot on it or anything, i don't get it.

Does anyone have any suggestions, as this could be kinda dangerous.

Cheers

EZT

BTW i'm on standard 288mm Brakes with Ferodo DS2500's, EBC Turbogrove discs, and DOT 5.1 fluid (as i have been for the past year or so)

 

[Ibiza125]

Standards are 280mm.

Pads take a little while to settle in.

 

[EZ Tutty]

sorry i ment to put 280,

the pads have been on for the past month, in which i've done about 900miles, they should be bedded in by now.

 

[ibizacupra]

are the calipers seizing? had the same poor pedal on mrsB on a pad change, calipers were a sod to push pistons back in..

give the brakes some hell... in case you have glazed the surface

 

[Riko]

I have similar issue with pagid fastroad pad on standard callipers. Were fantastc for the first week but now squeek like hell and are rubbish at stopping at any speed!

 

[EZ Tutty]

@Bill i don't think the calipers are seizing, pistons went back nice and easy.

after a few hundred miles of being gentle on the brakes i've started to give them some real punishment, to no avail

Think i might just put up with them for a bit, then go for some wilwoods or something when i can afford to.

 

[ibizacupra]

wilwoods suk..
avoid imho

 

[EZ Tutty]

not much else to fit under standard wheels tho is there?

and for not much monies?

 

[cupramillo]

SHould have signed up to the Brembo Group Buy!

 

[DaNnY_LaD]

wilwoods suk..
avoid imho

I do rate mine tbh bill bet then again u cant beat brembos lol

 

[ibizacupra]

I have run them, so know 1st hand..
I dont rate them at all. good you find them ok, for me they wore pads wedge shaped

AP's for proper braking, Brembos for oe fitment (if you have wheels to clear them)

 

[EZ Tutty]

well it looks like you were right Bill,

Took the car out in the wet yesterday and noticed under heavy breaking the passenger side wheel kept locking up, but i couldn't get the driver side wheel to.

So i assumed the problem was with the driver side caliper, took the caliper off, pumped the piston out, and removed the caliper compleatly. I noticed a few black rings on the piston nearer to the front, which must of been holding it back against the seal.

I removed the black rings from the piston with some fine scotch bright (this doesn't remove any of the metal as the pistons are a very hard steel), cleaned and inspected the seals and dustboots, which look like new (otherwise i would of waited and replaced them), put the caliper back together and stuck it back on the car.

Did the same on the passenger side for the sake of it (although the piston looked much better), presure bled the brakes and viola the brakes are back to normal