Hey i just recently changed my brake pads in the front of my 2004 Cavalier with no ABS and now the pedal goes past the accelerator peddal when i brake. Any idea what this could be? I can still lock up the brakes but the peddal seems like its going way too far. i searched but didn't find exactly what i was looking for thanks.
hey try breeding the brakes it should help
Breeding? You can do that??
Generally the pedal sinks to the floor on the first few pumps after changing the pads. Has it kept doing this or did you just not keep trying?
Did you only change pads, or did you already attempt to bleed the brakes or otherwise do anything with the fluid? Did you loosen any of the fluid lines?
If you haven't already pumped them several times, bleed them.
When you pushed the piston back in, did you open the bleeder screw? You could have screwed up your master cylinder.
Bleed them until all of the air is out, if nothing changes after that.. let us know.
1983 Camaro Z28
All i did was change the pads. I used a piston press and then after everything was put back together i pumped the brakes a few times and i swear the brakes felt fine for about 3 days, but i dunno what happened ill try to bleed the brakes tomorrow unless anyone else has any ideas, thanks
did you make sure the bleed screws were tight?
I had a similar thing happen when I changed to drilled/slotted rotors and ceramic pads -- the lines were never breached, but the pedal travel was increased dramatically. As in your case, the ultimate braking force is still enough to lock up the wheels if you lay into the pedal. I've been holding out until I've got some other parts together before taking the car in for some work and getting the brakes flushed. I guess I'm probably still using the original fluid, so it ought to be a good idea.
It gives me an excuse to install some SS brake lines anyways.
Shop Manuals, Brochures:
www.kenmcgeeautobooks.com
I suggest checking the fluid level and adding if low, i'd also maybe try a clean and adjust in the rear.
Sappa wrote:I suggest checking the fluid level and adding if low, i'd also maybe try a clean and adjust in the rear.
Low fluid will not cause a soft pedal. Cleaning and adjusting the rear is a great idea, although it might not help much if any at all.
1983 Camaro Z28
actually cleaning and adjusting the rear can help dramatically, but the rears being out of adjustment will not cause a sudden drop in pedal, unless the adjuster wheel is not properly set with the tab to lock it in place, and they can spin backwards. Low fluid will not cause low pedal, but if your fluid is low, it tells me its leaking somewhere.....did you check your wheel cylinders? Perhaps your extra hydraulic pressure is seeping out of those and causing your pedal problems.....youll find out when you go to adjust them.
Yeah, the low fluid being a leak was kinda what I meant, but it was just a suggestion, can't really imagine an '04 having a rotten line already. As for the clean and adjust, i've seen the case (on a different type of vehicle) where ive had pads and rotors changed, went for a drive and had a low pedal, came back and adjusted the rears and it was right back up there again. Also on my car, ('04 cav, no abs), before replacing teh pads and rotors, I had taken the drums off and not adjusted them (was trying to find a noise) and the pedal was slightly lower/softer. But anyway, just suggestions!
