Brakes....

[StrongerThanDef]

Heres something, I have my 93 XLT 4.0. I changed the braking system, added new aftermarket rotors, carbon metallic brake pads, new brake drums, new brake shoes, and I had also cleaned everything with brake cleaner spray, bleeded the system and then added new fluid as well. The brakes work and stop the car, but it seems like they work better sometimes then others, like I feel more pressure in the pedal and then other times the pedal just makes the airy sound that it does when you press it and then engages about half way to the floor.

Other times it doesn't make the air sound and I get great brake pressure and engages by the time I have it an inch from it's regular position.....it doesn't make sense. What do you guys think?

 

[Alec]

Sounds to me like they need to be bled again, another problem with the fluid, or the master cylinder.

 

[StrongerThanDef]

hmmm....

I'm going to bleed them today, just out of curiousity. Also what could be wrong with the fluid? Think the Master Cylinder is good, but is there really a way to check?

 

[Alec]

Honestly I don't know much about brakes, but hopefully someone else can help more.

 

[mrboyle]

When you say you don't hav brakes, is it just not stoping, or is the pedal going to the floor?
If the pedal is going to the floor, you still have air in the system and you need to blead it again. Remember to follow te correct sequence (1.right rear, 2. left rear, right font, left front)
If you just have no stopping power, there are two possibilities. First, with carbon metalic pads you need to seat them in order to get the best performance from them. To do this you need to find a straight paved ,lightly traveled road. Accelerate from 0-25 ten brake fairly down to 15mph. Do this a minimum of 5 times then let the brakes cool afer 5min Once cooled retry the brakes and see if work any better.

 

[Robb]

Also remember to adjust the rear drums by driving forward and backwards several times and braking heavy. Peolple often forget that this is something they need to do regularly to keep the shoes adjusted.

 

[mrboyle]

Thanks Robb. I forgot to mention that The only problem with your suggestion is that unless the brakes are manually adjusted when origionally assebled they will not adjust properly using the self adjusters.

 

[Robb]

Excellent point mrboyle!

I guess my main point was to make sure the rear drums are adjusted correctly (just the slightest of drag with wheel spinning freely).

I just like to type the part about using the self adjusters. It is an important part of brake maintenance that A LOT of people forget. It is a major reason why people wear down their fronts quickly and overheat rotors.