Brake Pedal Distance
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: 12-30-2007
Posts: 256
From: Syracuse, NY
Brake Pedal Distance
Pardon my ignorance, but..... I just replaced my pads and rotors today, but the brake pedal still feels like it has to be pushed down pretty far... i didn't disconnect the brake lines, so i don't think it would need to bleed them...... right? What could it be? I don't think it's my imagination.
New Member
Joined: 06-11-2008
Posts: 25
From: Western New York
I'm about halfway in agreement with masterchief1112. When you compress the piston, there's a gap between pad and rotor, even with new pads. Pumping the pedal several times should move the piston back into position, reducing pedal travel. You shouldnt need to bleed the system.
Senior Member
Joined: 07-05-2008
Posts: 5,464
From: Akron Ohio
Generally you don't have to bleed brakes if you do not open the system up but I have had to in th past in a rare case.
Often I think this is caused by the system being low on fluid or previous work done and the system just was not bleed out properly.
Adding new rear pads should raise your pedal up as it will have more material and less need for fluid to fill the caliper piston if the E brake is not adjusted properly. As pads wear your pedal travel will increase a little.
If you do have to bleed start at the right rear and do the left rear then move to the left front then the right front.
If you have rear drums make sure they are adjusted up.
Like stated above if the system was not opened and if there was not any air in the system from before pumping the pedal is usally enough.
Often I think this is caused by the system being low on fluid or previous work done and the system just was not bleed out properly.
Adding new rear pads should raise your pedal up as it will have more material and less need for fluid to fill the caliper piston if the E brake is not adjusted properly. As pads wear your pedal travel will increase a little.
If you do have to bleed start at the right rear and do the left rear then move to the left front then the right front.
If you have rear drums make sure they are adjusted up.
Like stated above if the system was not opened and if there was not any air in the system from before pumping the pedal is usally enough.
Last edited by hyperv6; Mar 30, 2009 at 08:08 AM.
Member
Joined: 06-03-2008
Posts: 69
From: Sheboygan, WI
this is absolutely not true
Last edited by ChevyMgr; Apr 1, 2009 at 07:20 PM. Reason: fixed quote tags
Senior Member
Joined: 01-13-2008
Posts: 4,708
From: Washington State, where it rains
Just run it in reverse a few times and hit the brakes moderatly hard..ths will auto adjust them..depending on how far out they are you may need to do it about 5 or more times... and you won't over adjust them this way either...you'll feel the diff as you do this....