my brakes suck!

[BlackThorn]

ever since i had my car in the garage for new brakes i've had trouble with them. it just feels like i have to press on the brake pedal a little more than i should have to. and i noticed today when it was raining that they barely worked at all. i almost crapped myself when i hit the brakes cuz it felt like they weren't working at all at first. any ideas what the problem could be?

[Peyman]

bro let me just tell you i have that exact same problem, after i finally changed my brake pads and that stupid ABS light went off....i feel like i have to press way to down on the pedal...and just like you...sometimes i feel like it dosent even work until i push it as hard as i can...

[bmobyle]

You guys using factory or aftermarket pads?:???:

[BlackThorn]

factory

[SpecialFX]

Same problem as both of you. Had the brakes changed and adjusted several times, too!

[hozzle]

Tons of things may be the cause of your problems. I personnally do my own brakes. I am most careful when bleeding old fluid from the brake lines, reservoir and calipers. This process is something I've personally have seen done incorrectly at many garages. Check to see if the brake fluid reservoir has new fluid in it, but keep in mind this doesn't prove that there is new fluid in your brake lines or worse - air!?!
Some places will cut corners by replacing everything you ask for but not checking to see if all the rest of the components are operating properly (What I mean by this is check the rubber boots that protect your caliper slide pins, if the boots are off then chances are your pins are rusty).

[racingdude7]

i've got all new pads and shoes on mine all the way around. bled out my brakes and they are still the same. pedal goes almost half of the way down till you get something. don't quite know how to fix it either. but at least they work. my dad has a 93 cutlass supreme he put new pads and shoes on. it feels like the pedal on a new car. so i don't know what the deal is.

[BlackThorn]

i'm taking my car back into the garage again to see if something can be done about them. this'll be the third time. third times the charm right? if not i'll take it somewhere else.

[hozzle]

Please don't flame me racingdude but a soft pedal tells me there's air in your lines. I hope I'm wrong. Did you use anything special to bleed your brakes? Did anyone help you bleed the brakes?

[racingdude7]

no flame taken. i blead them myself a few times. when i had my strut mounts put on last week. i had the guy check them again. he found nothing. so i guess i live with them. but like i said at least i have them. although there is one time i didn't. coming over a small hill i had to swerve from hitting a car and i lost my brakes completely. talk about scary. went through the ditch and back up on to the highway. good thing i missed the mini van because the van i was driving didn't have insurance. and if it would have happend a little ways up the road i would have rolled it into a marsh a set it on its lid.

[hozzle]

The closest ride I had like yours was the time I was at the New York, New York Casino in Las Vegas... Manhattan Express!!!!hehehe