I just replaced the brakes pads today on my 2000 Grand Caravan. I used the plain old standard brakes pads that you would get at a NAPA or Checker. I did everything right... they are installed correctly, I bled the brake lines to get the dirty brown fluid out, I refilled the brake fluid to full. I did not replace the rotors as they are still good with only a couple small scratches.
I expected bleeding the brakes would change the feel in the brake pedal, which it did. The problem is, the brake stop the van worse now then they did before. I'm not sure why. Everything is tight and they aren't leaking any fluid. I can put the pedal to the floor and it doesn't slow nearly as fast as it should.
Any ideas? Are the pads I replaced them with just crap? (The old ones were squeeking and they stopped better.)
2006-10-05 15:15:37 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Ok, thanks everyone for their ideas. I did think maybe air in the lines, but I was careful to keep the master cylinder full, so it wasn't that (yep I've done this many times too...)
As far as the rotors... yeah they are cheap but why replace them if they are good? They had just a couple very minor scratches. No grooves or anything like that. I didn't turn them either. Again, why if they are fine?
In the end, it did turn out to be a "burn-in" issue. After driving it for a while they eventually started getting better. After about 100 miles, they were working like they should be.
And just so you all know, I did go out on the highway and do several slam-on-the-brakes-at-75-mph runs before I posted this question because sometimes that's necessary. I've changed brakes on many vehicles and I've never had a set that took that long to wear in.
Thanks.
2006-10-07 18:07:37 · update #1
Sounds like you still have some air trapped in the lines. When bleeding brakes never let the master cylinder get dry, this will introduce air into the system. Before you bleed the system again, I would check to make sure that you don't have a leak, have someone hold the brake pedal in and check each line, not just where it connects but the whole line. If you don't see any leaks then:
First try to bleed the system again, start from the bleeder farthest from the master cylinder. So it'll be passenger rear, then driver rear, then passenger front, then driver front and last but not least at the master cylinder itself. Between each wheel, check your master cylinder and add fluid if needed.
If that doesn't help, you can gravity bleed them. To do this, fill master cylinder and then open each bleeder slightly, when the fluid is coming out good, close each bleeder off.
If you still don't have a pedal, you may have to "back bleed" the system. This will take a specail tool, so you may have to take it into a garage.
Good luck.
2006-10-05 17:03:17 · answer #1 · answered by ladylucknc 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should of changed the rotors!! The rotors now are pretty cheap so there is no point in paying to get them machined! Change the rotors and you will see a difference!! Good luck!!
2006-10-06 18:09:05 · answer #2 · answered by SOLUN macedonia 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think of it particularly relies upon on the plane form. I fly as much as i will my own Kitfox taildragger with vast gentle tundra tyres and braking is rarely a controversy because of the fact this is going to basically be used while taxiing. in view that I stay in Norway and fly in the process the iciness too, one ingredient i will aid you comprehend is that there has been days while it replaced into quite risky to stress my vehicle to the airfield because of the fact the roads have been so slippery. in spite of the undeniable fact that it replaced into no longer something to take off or land from a similar slippery runway. shop your ft removed from the toe brakes and you're fantastic - iciness or summer season.
2016-10-18 21:45:51 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you did not properly bleed your system...if u drained the old fluid and then refilled it u screwed up...now u have to take ur master cylinder off the car and bench bleed it, put it back on the car and bleed the brake lines as well....remember not to let the reservior go empty ever or you gotta do it all again...if you did not empty the reservior before (which u almost certainly did) then all u have to do is bleed ur brakes again from the bleeder valves at each wheel
2006-10-05 16:06:50 · answer #4 · answered by jimmy V 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Did you turn the rotors or drums or did you install new ones. my guess is oil is on the new linings. Also note that 200 miles or more of driving is required to "burnish in the pads so they mate to the rotors."
2006-10-05 15:19:28 · answer #5 · answered by djtzclark 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Did you check and adjust the rear shoes. Are you sure you got all of the air out or did you accidentally add air when you bled them.
2006-10-05 15:41:27 · answer #6 · answered by Lab 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It sounds like you still have air in the lines, even crappy brake pads will stop (They'll just wear faster)
2006-10-05 15:24:15 · answer #7 · answered by The Man 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Replace the rotors or have them machined .
2006-10-05 15:25:00 · answer #8 · answered by vwjessie69 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
you either still have air in the lines or your master cylinder is going bad.
2006-10-05 15:19:51 · answer #9 · answered by mustang656 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋