Sears

I've always thought my braking was poor compared to other LS1 cars I have driven. I replaced the rotors and that is not the cause. Pads are also new, factory GM. How do I test to see if my calipers are working properly?

Thanks,
Justin

Louis

iTrader: (7)

Justin
Unless there is air in the lines, its hard to say. Sometimes, with the C4 corvettes, you would experience a "spreading" of the caliper, where the side opposite the pistons would spread, but then never retract, causing a soft pedal.

Explain to me the symptoms, what it does compared to other cars, ect.

Sears

Other cars I drive, you press the pedal slightly and it grabs pretty hard and instant, jerking me around since I am not used to it braking that hard. Whereas mine, you press the pedal and it just drags to a stop, never really grabs hard.

I've bleed the brakes over and over, same result. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Sad]" src="gr_sad.gif" /> Pedal is stiff..

Justin

<small>[ November 06, 2002, 06:06 PM: Message edited by: Jsears8 ]</small>

trackbird

iTrader: (4)

You may want to take a look at the power brake booster and it's associated plumbing. you may have a leak in the diaphragm or a hose or at a connection point. The other question would be how much idle vacuum are you making? Are you running a cam, etc. These are just some starting suggestions over and above the usual things (bleed the brakes, look for glazed pads, etc). Hope this helps. Good luck.

Sears

Heads and Cam, but the cars I am comparing mine too also have heads/cam. What would casue the pads to glaze over? I will check for leaks around my brake booster and line lock.

I should of also mentioned, that when we bled the brakes there is a squeking noise coming from the master cylinder when I pump the pedal.

Justin

<small>[ November 06, 2002, 07:43 PM: Message edited by: Jsears8 ]</small>

Louis

iTrader: (7)

The squeaking is normal. Mine has been doing that since I got the car. As for the grabbiness of the brakes, that has to do with the pads. I run Hawk Blues at the track, and let me tell ya, They dust like no other, but sure stop. Theyll put you through the window.

For the street, I run the Hawk HPS pads. Big difference, less dust. Ill take a picture of the concrete where I took my rim off. All the dust made a big circular pile, and then it rained. Its now etched into the driveway.

I wouldnt reccommend the Blues for the street, and especially not with your rims Justin. I have already been there with pad dust and forgelines.

Now the vacuum shouldnt be an issue. I have H+C as well, and I have no braking issue.

If the pads are glazed, go get them warm, then do some 100-20 stops. That will clean them up for sure, and most likely bed them for you as well. I do that on every new set of pads. Smoke will bellow out, but theyll be fine <img border="0" title="" alt="[Cool]" src="gr_images/icons/cool.gif" />

Let me know! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />

Louis

Sears

Thanks Louis! Now I have something to do inbetweeen classes tomorrow. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" /> Followed by cleaning the wheels, AGAIN. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="gr_eek2.gif" />

I will switch over to the Hawk HPS pads also.

Justin

Louis

iTrader: (7)

If you dont mind keeping up with the wheels, and you dont drive the car everyday, Go for the HP+s The make a little noise, dust a tad more than the HPSs, but offer a little more stopping power. If you dont want to deal with that, stick with the HPSs

(HPS- Hawk Performance- S treet)
(HP+- Hawk Performance + )

Hope that clears it up a little. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Cool]" src="gr_images/icons/cool.gif" />