Charlie_Boy

I have standard brakes on my UK STI, however is the brake pedal supposed to feel solid or spongy, mine feel like they are spongy. I had the brake fluids changed last year and i have only done 2000 miles or so. Could there be air in the system?

Milamber

iTrader: (2)

Mines a 2003 STi but as they both use Brembo's they should be the same.

What have you been doing to make them spongy? If you have not been giving it death then they should be reasonably solid with good retardation.

Wouldn't describe them as spongy unless you've got some good heat into them, even then not really spongy just less effective.

My old MY00 had brakes that did the job but you just had no 'feel' from them. The brembo's are about 1,000,000 times better.

At the end of the day if you aren't confident in the brakes get them looked at.

Milamber

iTrader: (2)

Your pads could be on their last legs, have a word with Bob'5 @ Aztec and he'll see you alright.

Charlie_Boy

The pads have plenty of meat on them. Rather than say they are spongy, i'd say that there is some travel between pressing and stopping the car. Most of my driving is around town but even when you open it up i would expect to get more. I might try and get them bleed first before changing the pads.

Mark1983

iTrader: (2)

What brake lines do you have, the original 6yr old rubber ones or have you replaced them?

JohnD

iTrader: (5)

I remember when my son got a new 02 STi (Bugeye) the brake pedal felt solid with no softness at all. When we both got 03 STi's it was noticable that there was a small amount of softness on initial application. Both 02 and 03 used Brembos.
If you've noticed a difference since the fluid change, I'd certainly get the system bled. I've changed the fluid myself twice on my car and the brakes feel the same as they always have.
Don't forget there are two bleed nipples on each caliper!

JohnD

Charlie_Boy

The car is standard so whatever is on there. How long does a system bleed take? I'm not mechanically minded so i'll leave it to the experts. Local garage said it would take 30 mins to do around £40 to do.