New Rotora brake pads feel spongy on MS3

[VAspeed3]

I replaced the front pads on my '07 MS3 a couple weeks ago. Bled the lines with about 5 or 6 pumps of the brake pedal each side.

Noticed the pedal felt softer than it used to, so I bled again about 10 more pumps each side. No change.

Also, I can feel the brakes take a while to completely release when coasting to a stop. I tried "Rotora" ceramic pads ($72)because the OEM's were $238.

Is the pedal softness from air still in the system somewhere or can pads themselves feel soft?? The brakes work OK, but feel different.

 

[camrycev6]

You would know if you had air in your line. You would have moments where the petal would drop to the floor because the air compresses much more easily than the brake fluid. Since you bled the lines and drew the fluid into the system (and of course you know you got it all when the pedal becomes consitently firm), I would say it is a difference in brake pads. $72 sounds a little cheap to me for pads, so maybe try another brand next time.

 

[VAspeed3]

You would know if you had air in your line. You would have moments where the petal would drop to the floor because the air compresses much more easily than the brake fluid. Since you bled the lines and drew the fluid into the system (and of course you know you got it all when the pedal becomes consitently firm), I would say it is a difference in brake pads. $72 sounds a little cheap to me for pads, so maybe try another brand next time.

You may have a point about cheap pads. It's just that the cheap pads still seemed expensive when I had just replaced pads on the wife's car for about $30. Oh well, you do have to pay to play fast.
These feel less grippy and make a lot less dust than the OEM's did.

 

[camrycev6]

I think you might be correct sir!

 

[wisniaPl]

you should go with ebc

 

[speedsports]

Highly recommend Cobalt GT Sport for your next brake pad change!

 

[onikaze]

did you resuface your rotors or replace your rotors or did you just slap on pads?

 

[VAspeed3]

did you resuface your rotors or replace your rotors or did you just slap on pads?

I did not since there was no vibration at all with the original ones. Given my experience with all my cars in the past, if the vibration bothers me, I just replace the rotors. I've found that turned rotors warp again after a few weeks anyway.

My only worry is that the original rotors are naturally worn a little thinner by the OEM pads, but I did not check them for thickness to see if they are out of spec.
I know I'll have to get new rotors and pads anyway if I track the car again. These Rotora ceramic pads are in no way track worthy -- 2 or three hard stops makes them fade away to nothing in the blink of an eye!!

 

[arkenzo]

did you resuface your rotors or replace your rotors or did you just slap on pads?

You don't need to resurface the rotors when installing brake pads for the 1st and 2nd and hell even 3rd brake pad change.

 

[mazdaspeedster3]

You shouldnt have to bleed your lines to do pads unless you mess with the lines them selves. If you are just recompressing the piston you shouldnt have needed to bleed the lines. Did you remover the caliper from the car and the line, replace the pads and then put it all back together?

 

[onikaze]

the following is based on my opinions and personal experiences working as a dealer tech, racing and brake manufacturing work. please note there are many different opinions out there regaurding brakes. that being said.

i have found that not resurfacing rotors just because there is no vibration is a matter of opinion or preference. however is does tend to hinder braking performance. part of the reason because the brake pads and rotors transfer material to eachother during use. if you change pads only the rotor has a layer of the old brake pad material on them and if the new pads are of a different compound then they slip more then grab and tend to build more heat. this is part of the reason that performance brake manufactures suggest new rotor or at the very least resurfacing when using there pads. also bed in precedure is very important.

for more information on this you may wish to check out the following.

http://www.ctbrakes.com/faqs.html

 

[arkenzo]

You shouldnt have to bleed your lines to do pads unless you mess with the lines them selves. If you are just recompressing the piston you shouldnt have needed to bleed the lines. Did you remover the caliper from the car and the line, replace the pads and then put it all back together?

(iagree) oh and onikaze, I'm not even going to bother reading your post, like I said before, you don't need to resurface your rotors, not after the 1st brake pad change. Don't seem so shocked (loser)