Brake Pedal Feel

[robbygraham]

I have had my 182 for just over a year now, as soon as I got it the brake pads and disc were changed all round, for the first month the brakes seemed really responsive and would bite hard with only the slightest touch on the pedal, but after the first month all that bite strength seemed to have disappeared and it has stayed the same since, the discs were brembo high carbon grooved fronts, not sure what the rears were and minted pads all round.
Obviously I know that brake pads/discs wear out but short of changing the whole lot again how can I get the power back in them, car has only done 3k miles since changing them, the pedal doesn't exactly feel spongy but it doesn't bite as son as you press it, seems a little play, whereas before the moment you touched the pedal it felt like you emergency stopped, sorry it's difficult to explain the problem but any solutions would be greatly appreciated ( don't just say change the brakes cause there is loads of disc and pads left)

 

[H182]

Change the brake fluid or at least bleed them. Mine have never been that sharp even after doing this but work well enough. If you want them even better get some braided lines.

 

[robbygraham]

I may look into getting them bled, all other cars i drive the slightest touch of the pedal and it feels like i hit a brick wall, probably me not being used to it, is it worth getting braided line for the rear brakes

 

[TheEvilGiraffe]

Press harder :rasp:

Bleed them, fresh fluid if you're bothered and/or have done 30k of hard driving since they were last changed.

I may look into getting them bled, all other cars i drive the slightest touch of the pedal and it feels like i hit a brick wall, probably me not being used to it, is it worth getting braided line for the rear brakes

Over assistance. Stupid modern cars !!!

 

[Ralphizzle]

New pads? What pads you running... Ferodo DS2500, these 'bite' harder over stock? Guess they're glazed?

The rears don't do that much obviously being a FWD car.

 

[robbygraham]

I have Mintex pads? Just whatever I could get at the time from the motor factors. What's glazed ?

 

[Ralphizzle]

Whatever won't work if you want bite! That's why i asked if you where running Ferodo DS2500 pads. (high friction pads, with a higher heat load/resistance)

Glazed pads is when the pad surface is smeared over with brake residue when for instance you are 'riding the brakes'.
Or from excessive heat, the pads can't stand it and you get this molten layer on top of the pads.
Hence glazing...

Perhaps your pads needs them bedding in again after deglazing?

 

[Munson]

There's some irony in here TBH.

Many cars are very over-assisted as has been pointed out already. This gives the feeling that the brakes are amazing, but all it really means is the servo is doing most of the work for you, which in turn actually takes away nearly all pedal feel. I prefer a progressive pedal that doesn't try to break my neck when I apply pressure. You get much better feel through the pedal, and it's much easier to adjust braking force.

Also don't be fooled by over-assisted brakes. It doesn't mean the pads won't wilt at 300 degrees.