just bought a car and I have to brake hard to get car to stop is this because the break pads need changing?

Answer 1

It is probably the brake pads, but try checking the brake fluid first. It may be this, and it is cheaper than changing the brake pads for no reason.

Answer 2

Occasionally, new pads will "kook" the the rust lip on the upper and lower rust groove on the rotors if it hasn't been removed. Make sure the slide pins are clean and coated with synthetic brake grease. Bleeding brakes is not necessary when changing brake pads unless a line or hose has been replaced. If the brake fluid hasn't been flushed and changed in the past 60,000 miles it should be done. Moisture from the air enters the vent hole on top of the master cylinder cover. When that happens, the boiling point of the fluid is reduced and the fluid causes rust and corrosion inside the brake lines, wheel cylinders and calipers. Possibly the master-cylinder should be overhauled or replaced after checking wheel cylinder or brake caliper action with the wheels off the car.

Answer 3

To check your brakes:-
Look at the fluid level, it should be between min -max. if its below then there may be a leak. Check the inside wall of your tyres, if any of the cylinders / calliper's are leaking the tyre will be damp with fluid, check where you normally park your car for wet patches on the ground in case its a small leak on one of the pipes.
If new brake pads are fitted with a harder lining compound this would make the braking harder, but i doubt it is this,
Usually the cause of excessive force needed to brake is down to the brake servo, best to check this first, With engine stopped, push the brake pedal several times, then while pushing the brake pedal down start the engine, you should feel the pedal go soft and move down, if it feels the same as you start the car there is no vacuum in the servo, this could be perished diaphragm in the unit or more often a leak in the pipework, if diesel it has a dedicated vacuum pump, on petrol its a connection on the inlet manifold. AS with any braking problem if your not sure its safe, get someone who knows whats what.

Answer 4

Need more information in order to confirm the brake pads are to blame.

Is there excessive travel on the pedal? And does this reduce if the pedal is pumped several times? If this ocurrs it is likely to be air in the brake fluid.

Is there a grinding noise when braking? If so your pads are likely worn.

If you just have to push hard on the pedal then this would point toward the brake servo or the link between the servo and inlet manifold.

Answer 5

It's a possibility. Usually, when pads are worn, you hear a grating noise, maybe feel some vibration, maybe uneven braking such as steering wheel pulling left or right.
With power assisted brakes, you may have a problem with the hydraulics, such as low on fluid, spill over in the master cylinder, brake cylinders at one or more wheels sticking or not working.
You don't say what kind of car, age, or what you used before. It may be just a different feel from one vehicle to the next.
Because brakes are the most important safety feature in your vehicle, have them checked by a pro. Your brakes may fail and you may run into me.

Answer 6

more like the brakes need bleeding, if there is an air lock in the system the brakes feel spongy and the brake pedal travels right down when you press it before it begins to break, take it back to the garage you bought it from or if you bought private get it checked at a garage, some offer a free break check, worth a look anyway.

Answer 7

Some times if the break pads have been changed very recently and there is some wear in the discs, the breaking can be hard until the pads wear in to the exact shape of the discs that they press against. Usually a couple of hundred miles even. If you have any concern at all, check it out. I always say that the skill of driving is not in how fast one can go. Its how fast you can stop.

Answer 8

It could be worn brake pads, moisture (water) in the hydraulic fluid, leaking calliper piston seals, leaking brake fluid lines, a faulty brake servo. It will be a process of elimination to find the fault, but try the easiest route (less costly, and obvious if the problem!), the worn brake pad check first!

Answer 9

Yes it sound like you need new brake pads or maybe you have dust on the brakes either way you need to get it check at a garage

Answer 10

The brakes can act like that if the brakes are leaking or your fluid level is low or your disks are worn or there is air in the system or the calipers are sticking or the pads/shoes are worn. there are many reasons best get it checked out as soon as possible