Re: weak brakes

From: Scott Lane (rsb7424@gmail.com)
Date: Mon Jul 27 2009 - 00:17:00 EDT


Are your rear brakes adjusted? They may need replacing if you are
around 100k, or at least adjusted. That will make a big difference in
stopping power, at least it does on my truck.

Rascal

On Sun, Jul 26, 2009 at 7:09 PM, Barry Oliver
<barrysuperhawk@comcast.net> wrote:
>
> Ok, guys, I have a stupid problem and I am not sure what to look at to fix it.
>
> The brakes on my truck have always been stop-on-a-dime good, even stock.  when I wore out the first set at 70k or so, I gave ceramic pads a try.  at first I loved them, all of the stopping power, and none of the dust.  The downside seemed to be that they literally ATE the stock rotors.  From 70 to about 110k, I went through 3 sets of rotors, yet the pads continued to look new.  from 110k to 125k I didn't drive the truck much, so it sat most of the week and the rotors rusted...  At 120K or so I swapped the ceramic pads and the stock rotors.  The ceramics had not even worn off the bevel noticibly.  Then about 130k or so I got some dimpled/slotted rotors and tossed them on.
>
> Arguably, I should have a pretty quick stopping truck now with new Ceramic pads and new high-zoot rotors, but I don't.  Apparently I have a crappy combination, because I have driven truck with drums all around that stopped better.  Even with the "light" 17" tires on, it seems to take an inordinate abount of pedal force to stop.  Where i used to have to modulate my foot pressure to avoid activating the anti-lock, now I don't.
>
> Low speed stops aren't as bad as high speed or towing stops.  putzing around town, things work almost [albeit less] as effectively as before, but even dragging a light trailer totally exacerbates the problem.
>
> My Mechanic buddy showed me how to test the brake booster, and I notice a difference with the BB disconnected, for the worse, so he doesent think the BB is Mahtzoed(tm).
>
> So.  *I* think my problem is those ceramic pads and I am considering switching pads and dumping the Ceramics in favor of something else.  To that end, any suggestions on what pads I should try?  If not the Pads, what else can/should I look at?
>



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