09-27-2004, 04:27 PM
Here is my opinion, right or wrong.
I think what alot of you are arguing about just comes down to semantics. A pad with a higher coefficient of friction will provide more stoping power with less pressure. So in that sense, it does affect how the pedal feels. Just like what one of you guys where saying that in the padock the brakes dont feel very good, but out on the track they do. Coefficient of friction goes up with temperature, especially with a track pad (to a point obviously, then they just fade).
Now, about the original post, your problem does not sound like new pads will fix it. Like others have said, its compliance in the braking system. Again, like others have said, this is the result of: junk, including air, in your brake fluid, old rubber brake lines, a flexable fire wall, bad calipers, etc. If your pads are low, replace them, but either way, you should do this: Completely bleed your brakes, use valvolyne synpower fluid, its cheap and its good stuff. Suck all of the old fluid out of the resevior and refill it before you start bleeding so your not putting old crap in there. Bleed it until all the old stuff is out and the stuff thats coming out of the bleed nipple is nice and clean, and bubble free. Be sure to use a clear hose so you can tell. Also, be sure bleed them in the correct order. See if that fixes your problem. Also inspect all the lines very carefully for leaks. Any leaks will introduce air and other bad things into the system.
I think what alot of you are arguing about just comes down to semantics. A pad with a higher coefficient of friction will provide more stoping power with less pressure. So in that sense, it does affect how the pedal feels. Just like what one of you guys where saying that in the padock the brakes dont feel very good, but out on the track they do. Coefficient of friction goes up with temperature, especially with a track pad (to a point obviously, then they just fade).
Now, about the original post, your problem does not sound like new pads will fix it. Like others have said, its compliance in the braking system. Again, like others have said, this is the result of: junk, including air, in your brake fluid, old rubber brake lines, a flexable fire wall, bad calipers, etc. If your pads are low, replace them, but either way, you should do this: Completely bleed your brakes, use valvolyne synpower fluid, its cheap and its good stuff. Suck all of the old fluid out of the resevior and refill it before you start bleeding so your not putting old crap in there. Bleed it until all the old stuff is out and the stuff thats coming out of the bleed nipple is nice and clean, and bubble free. Be sure to use a clear hose so you can tell. Also, be sure bleed them in the correct order. See if that fixes your problem. Also inspect all the lines very carefully for leaks. Any leaks will introduce air and other bad things into the system.