Something wrong with the brakes?

[underdog1924]

When I put my foot on the brake at lower speeds my brake pedal feels squishy, almost like pushing on a sponge. If I try to push through it the pedal will almost push back and the front end kind of jumps a little, almost like the rotors are jumping through the pads. I have Performance Friction Carbon Metallic pads on stock rotors and calipers. I don't know if that's the way thse kind of pads are, if it's bad brake lines, or something else. Hopefully you guys can help me out. Thanks

<small>[ March 03, 2002, 10:35 PM: Message edited by: underdog1924 ]</small>

 

[sdpatt]

The Performance Friction pads usually provide a firm pedal. Was any portion of the hydraulic system opened to allow the pistons to be pushed back into the calipers? If so, there may have been air introduced into the system and the lines would need to be properly bled to eliminate this condition. It is very simple to compress the pistons on the front calipers with a caliper spreader or a C-clamp.

Are you possibly pushing the pedal hard enough to active the anti-lock system and its characteristic pulsations? If you are having to push the pedal with any great effort, there must be something amiss with the rotors. Were new rotors installed? Were they properly cleaned before or during installation? The P-F pads work better after a few hundred miles as the carbon is embedded into the iron of the rotor. There should not be any great pedal effort required to reate the braking force necessary to activate the anti-lock. What kind of tires do you have on the car?

<small>[ March 05, 2002, 09:09 AM: Message edited by: sdpatt ]</small>

 

[underdog1924]

Let's see. Now lines we detached when I installed the pads. They have been on for over 5000 miles now and the rotors have never been changed. They did give the pedal a firmer feel, but I don't think the ABS is beeing activated. The feeling is in the pedal itself. It's more of a squishy feeling and you can hear it in the pedal as it depresses. Also if you try to push through it sometimes, the pedal will actually push back up and there is a loud droning noise. Right now I have Firestone Winterfire tires on it. Thanks for your reply.

 

[[email protected]]

Ha! I'll bet I know what this is!

You say the pedal is pushing back at you, and you hear a droning/buzzing noise?

You need to replace the ANTI-SKID RELAY.

Ford P/N is: F1DZ-2C013-A

I think the cost is $17 or so.

Make sure they verify that part number as an Anti-Skid Relay.

My car was doing the same thing. Eventually, it progressed into the ABS pump/motor on the driver's side continually running, even with power off. Had to pull the ABS fuse until I got said relay replaced.

 

[underdog1924]

Thanks I'll look into that. What exactly is the Anti-Skid Relay? Is it a mechanical part or from the sounds of it, is it an electrical part? Also where is it located and is it hard to replace? Thanks again.

 

[[email protected]]

Heeehehugh. Uhm, hard to explain, but if you pop the hood, and look right near the front/center straight down (we're going to lean closer to the driver's side) it's down there.

PITA for me to get to, but I have big hands, so I can't easily get in there.

Here's something that might help more: Goto the dealer, and ask them to show you the blow-apart/cut-away diagram showing where it is.

 

[underdog1924]

Ok cool...I ordered the part on Wednesday so I should be getting it Tuesday or so.