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Caliper question .....

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Old Nov 6, 2002 | 04:48 PM
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Default Caliper question .....

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
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Old Nov 6, 2002 | 05:46 PM
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Default Re: Caliper question .....

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.
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Old Nov 6, 2002 | 06:05 PM
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Default Re: Caliper question .....

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>
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Old Nov 6, 2002 | 06:28 PM
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Default Re: Caliper question .....

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.
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Old Nov 6, 2002 | 07:41 PM
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Default Re: Caliper question .....

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>
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Old Nov 6, 2002 | 07:52 PM
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Default Re: Caliper question .....

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
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Old Nov 6, 2002 | 08:19 PM
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Default Re: Caliper question .....

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
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Old Nov 6, 2002 | 08:26 PM
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Default Re: Caliper question .....

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" />
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