Where Do I Go From Here?

It's a long story, but the short of is that my brakes aren't working very well after some work. Here's what's happened so far.

I changed the front pads and all of the rotors. The front pads are Hawk HPS and the rear are Raybestos Quiet Stops. The rotors are the Signature Series from Race Shopper. I removed the stock shims. When I went to bed the pads in the car would not stop very well at all. I finished the bed in and let it sit for a half hour. I came back out and took it for another run with no change.

My next step was to flush the system. I flushed out all the old fluid an refilled with ATE Super Blue. I bled the system and then took it out again. No change. I bled it another three times never finding any air.

Flash forward to last night. I re-bled the system the way it says to do it in the service manual. With the car on jack stands and running I started at the passenger rear - driver front - driver rear - passenger front, pumping about five times per caliper. Took the car out and it seem to get a little better. It also got better as the brake system heated up. However, there is still some travel in the pedal, more than before this started, and the initial bite isn't very good, once again worse than before. For reference these are replacing Raybestos PG Plus rotors and Axxis Ultimate pads. I can't lock the tires, and the ABS barely engages towards the end of hard stops.

I took it out again today to see if there are any changes, and there is no change.

If you were wiling to read all of that please, give me some suggestions. I also don't get why I have to get the system up to temp before it starts working worth a damn, but still not optimal. As it is my Ford Escape will out brake my TT. Tomorrow I am going to go out and put the shims back in, though I don't think it's the problem, it's worth a shot.

Suggestions, please!

I dont know how possible it is but I beleive I have read elsewhere where the ABS pump can get air trapped in it. There may or may not be a method for bleeding it.

I know its semi frowned upon for mentioning it but have you tried posting on 3si? You will be open to a ton more resources and minds there.

I was going to suggest checking the ABS pump, but as I know nothing of 3/Ss, and usually am not in this section, I figured I wouldnt. :) You 3/S guys scare me a bit.

But atleast someone said it so I know I might be right... But how exactly could air get trapped in there?

That's why you have to have the car running when you bleed it, to get any air out of the ABS pump. Of course I have no idea how you would know if I got it all out or not. I pumped about five times per caliper. I don't know if that's enough.

As for 3Si, I posted in the Brake section and got response and so I posted it in general and it's being ignored for the most part.

I've decided that I'm going to just take some drastic measures. I'm going to get Hawk to replace the pads under warranty. I'm going to call Race Shopper and ask them if those rotors need to get up to temp. I'm going to get a set if SS lines from Jason and replace the rear pads with Stillen Metal Matrix pads. Then I'm going to reinstall everything and put the shims back in. Bleed the system and see if that fixes it. If not then I'll have a shop power bleed the system. If that fails then all that's left is the MC.

BTW Jason, if I order those pads and lines from you I assume I can just come pick them up?

You change out the rubber break lines? The deteriorate from the inside out so are hard to spot if they are bad until you remove them.

Man, this really sucks Poly...never thought flushing/bleeding the brake system would be this tough. I was thinking about getting my calipers powder coated when I change out my brakes and rotors (yep, the ones I got from you) but seeing all the trouble that you're going through, I may think twice!?!

At any rate, good luck bro. I hope you figure this out because I'm sure I'll need the help too come my turn if I decide to go that route.

I think there's more to this than a bleed. I'll figure it out though.

^I bled mine when i did my brakes...had the calipers completely off for a few days, so i know the entire system was dry. Took quite a few pumps to get all the air out, but other than that no drama. You've gotta have something else going on.

^^Hmmm...guess I'll look into speedbleeders maybe!?!

I was going to suggest checking the ABS pump, but as I know nothing of 3/Ss, and usually am not in this section, I figured I wouldnt. :) You 3/S guys scare me a bit.

But atleast someone said it so I know I might be right... But how exactly could air get trapped in there?

:rofl:

Soon to be sigged.

You are my hero :)

Any resolution on the matter!?!

Not yet.

I still need to order the SS lines and I'm waiting on some rear pads. Beside that the Stealth is beiing held hostage in the garage. I can't back it out to test when I'm done for a month anyhow.

Concrete work.

Not yet.

I still need to order the SS lines and I'm waiting on some rear pads. Beside that the Stealth is beiing held hostage in the garage. I can't back it out to test when I'm done for a month anyhow.

Concrete work.

shes AWD just rev up and lauch outta there =) she can fly over concrete haha. altho its pretty tough to launch in reverse, altho ive seen a trans am at the track go to launch and forgot he was still in reverse and took off backwards lol

LOL

I have a video of a Chevy Caprice doing wheelies in reverse.

I have seen that, he just gooses the throttle and that god awful suspension just throws it in the air :) It makes me giggle.

I have always wanted to launch in reverse... but i think the stealth would totally clear it. Well... depens on how long the driveway is :/