my brakes suck

[pghz26]

i have a 1995 Z26 with stock brakes and it seems like they have the initial stopping power but when i get to slower speeds it isnt very effective. so much that i dont like driving the car because i am fearful of hitting someone or something. anyone have any idea what could be wrong?

[Mr. Beefy]

Have you inspected the pads front and rear? Also are the rear adjusters adjusted properly and both rear wheel cyls functional and NOT leaking? Have you checked the fluid and/or blead the brake lines?

[Money pit Beretta]

Hi and welcome.
When you pump the pedal does it get firm?

[pghz26]

the fluid is fine and i dont have any leaks. the brakes were change about 1000 miles ago and the front passenger had nothing left on the pads but the drivers side had about 1/4 of the padding left. that might mean something but im not sure.

[3X00-Modified]

Replace your rubber lines, I'm willing to bet the bracket that secures the line to the strut is rusted where its clamped around the line and that constricts flow and will also make your caliper stay under pressure when you release the brake, resulting in premature wear of your pads.

If you have the money I would do the lines, calipers, rotors and pads just to be sure. Other thing that can happen is the caliper slide pins will get frozen and cause the pad to wear uneven.

[pghz26]

any idea how much that will cost

[pghz26]

here is something i forgot to mention. About month ago i was driving was coming to a stop and i had no brake pressure and it turned out i had an enormous hole in the brake line heading to the rear passenger. the brakes sucked before that but i was hoping that was the problem but it wasnt they still sucked. the ironic thing is that the day before i changed the rear shocks. the brakes acted the same way before the line and after.

[3X00-Modified]

So you simply stated that you had a bad line, replaced it and they still feel the same... That doesn't tell me much.

For one these brakes are undersized for our cars, and two you need to concentrate on your front brakes... 70% or so of your stopping power is up there. Also when done you need to fully bleed the whole system, including the two ports on the master cylinder... that gets air out of the ABS setup. If a system is properly bled, fresh pads and rotors are put on, and the rubber lines are un-obstructed the pedal will fell good, YET you will still have subpar stopping power so don't think you can be doing tons of 60-0 stops quickly.

Rotors are 30-50 depending on quality level (Autozone)
Pads are 15-55 depending on quality level (Autozone)
Brake Hoses are 14 or so (Autozone)
And Calipers are 18 + 18 for a core, but you get that back when you return the old ones. (Autozone)

SO if you go bargain parts, you get a total of about $120 for everything... Now if you get the high end pads and rotors, its about 155-160 for those alone...

So the choice is yours... I always get high end pads and rotors, because cheap stuff tends to fade quick or warp easily.

BUT soon that wont be a problem since I'll be going to much larger front brakes.

[pghz26]

thanks for your input. i will try to do that stuff that you mentioned. im not worried about the high performance stuff right now i just want to be able to stop safetly. thanks again.

[3X00-Modified]

I didn't list high performance stuff, I only listed high quality stuff such as Ceramic Pads, and just more expensive rotors meaning they are manufactured better.

[pghz26]

oh i know i would never buy the cheap crap. i wont buy autozone brake pads though i havent had good luck with those before

[3X00-Modified]

I've had very good luck with the Napa Adaptive One brake pads... they hold up nicely and don't fade much. I also buy their Ultra Premium rotors since they have the veins painted black and the hat, so it wont rust as quick.

[diedemus]

I can definitely vouch for the rubber line issue, ask 3x00 about the "brake" issue on my gt lol

If I remember right I got re-man calipers from autozone for like $40 a piece, rubber front lines were under $20 a piece and I've put about 60k on the car since then with no issue... They are far from great, but they were never meant to be "upgrades"

If you can afford it I would definitely go with a better than stock setup.

[pghz26]

ok thanks i guess ill try something like that thanks for your guys input. it is appreciated

[pghz26]

what was wrong with the brakes on your gt