Brakes... useful things... getting them right
 

Hi Everyone,

Just a quick one really... When I press the brake peddle there is more travel in it than I would ideally like. Now I am no mechanic but I believe it is potentially to do with air in the brake line being compressed.

I went out in the wife's 206 the other day and it brakes much quicker and more efficient than the scooby. :eek:

So what do I need to get checked and secondly, without spending mega bucks can anyone suggest decent road pads/disks for a WRX 07.

Cheers

Stu

Air in the line is usually spotlighted by a spongy pedal, not excess travel If the brakes are working, they may need adjustment.

Any competent garage can bleed them for you to check, though.

Might also be a worn wheel bearing causing ' pad knock off '

Mick

Subaru brakes are known to not be as sharp as other cars systems, under servo'd is a term i keep hearing being used. The standard 4 pots are pretty pants in general, braided lines will help plus a decent set of pads and disks, however the only real solution is to upgrade them.

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for that. I guess my next stop is the local specialist and see whats what.

Pad compound can make or change effects

Thats just how they are you have to give them a good prod to get full breaking this is due to you car having 4 pots and better modulation and the 206 has typically over assisted 2pots

Also, have a look at brake stoppers. They're only about £40-£50, easy to fit and really sharpen up the feel of the brakes.

As already mentioned:

Air.
Wheel Bearing "pad knock off"

In addition:

Worn discs - with excessive "lips" on the edge of the disc
Seized caliper(s) or a stuck pad.


All of these can cause excessive pedal travel and spongy feel.

Don't even think about wasting money on a brake "stopper" until the above have been addressed and ruled out.

edit: Also, if the car has been stood a while..or been washed without being driven immediately afterwards. Look at the inner surface of the brake discs (the side you cannot see through the wheels) if its heavily rusted, you can guarantee the brakes will feel crap. New pads+discs required plus inspection of calipers to make sure nothing is seized.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.sco...9176a29249.jpg

^ This is what I see at least once every week ^

In almost every case the brakes are spongy with a long pedal travel regardless of the make/model of car

When you say travel do you mean movement in the pedal before the brakes engage, Or after the brakes engage?

Mine had around 6mm of free play, after adjusting it back within spec the brake feel was massively improved.
Can't remember exactly what it was 2mm or something, it's in the owners manual, and quite easy to adjust.