derekcentrico

Okay, I had brand new pads, e-brake tightening, new drums, routers sanded, etc etc about 5 months ago. I moved to OKC (4 hours from where the work was done). My car was stolen and ever since I received it back (Geico sucks at repairing damages) the brakes have been weird.

Basically, I am having to push the pedal extremely hard and much closer to the floor for the brakes to work worth a crap.

What can be done to tighten up the brake pedal? I'd assume somewhat new brakes shouldn't require such efforts for stopping. Scared the crap out of me on the interstate...

Thanks.

JKov240

You might want to look at the brake master cylinder...sounds like the symptoms of one failing.

rick_rabies

check the fluid and bleed it again and see if that works.
see if you have any lines loose or disconnectd.
check the booster hose too.

derekcentrico

Not to sound like a total moron, but hey it's true I have little knowledge in these areas, where would I find instructions on how to do these steps?

As for fluid, there's plenty in the canister.

nomoshing

get a manual, i think your prob is the booster

1grex

It could be the booster. You could also have a leaking wheel cylinder that is contamining the pad/rotor, letting air in, letting fluid out, etc. Check brake fluid level, if it is low it has to be going somehwere. If you're sure the system is tight it will be the booster.

CRXREFIC

i had same symptom....

try bleeding the brakes first, and if you dont know how... you take off both front tires, and their will be a small nipple hose 10cm, loosen taht up have someone or yourself push on the brake untill you can hear it squirt the fluid out.. after your done with one side tight it back, and check the fluid level and add more if needed and repeat for the second side

derekcentrico

Fluid level is fine and hasn't changed so I guess I will try that bleeding idea... Now to find a way to raise the car up to take the tires off...

92ehatch

is it physically hard to push the pedal? if so you are looking more toward a booster issue

or

is the pedal too easy to push down and its not stopping you? if so you are looking towards a leak or bad master cylinder, or air in the lines.

derekcentrico

It's easy to push down, or hard to really get it to stop. My Accord stops on a dime with the sliest pressure.

The Civic was that way until recently. Now it requires the pedal to be pushed much further, near the floor, to get it to brake well... It moves easy and then when it's pushed quite a distance it gets rough as the brakes start grabbing...

92ehatch

ok that rules out the brake booster.

so as everyone else said. try to bleed them first. to make sure there is no air in the lines.

also look for leaks, look around the master cylinder, calipers, everywhere to make sure the fluid isnt leaking out

if that doesnt fix it i would look into a replacing the master cylinder

Doc13

If you aren't familiar with this kinda work, leave it to a pro.

You could make it worse.

derekcentrico

Mmm any idea what the expense on such an endeavor would be?

rick_rabies

repair manual and snap on tools makes you a certified Honda technician..didnt you know

rick_rabies

its super easy. get a person that has replaced a set of brake pads before and have them help you.
try bleeding the brakes first and foremost
one person in the driver seat
one person at a caliper with the wheel off.
as driver steps on brake use a line wrench and open the bleeder valve.

as he presses it down fluid will launch out and so will any air, before the pedal is all the way down and pulled back up close the valve then bring up the peddle
repeat like 3x on each wheel. even if brakes have been done whenever long ago. it always helps. especialy if you track the car..which it sounds like you dont. it simple. you dont need to be pursuaded to spend $345345 to a dealer soemthing to your car. cheers

Doc13

Which are you asking about? Doing it yourself? Taking it to a shop?

CRXREFIC

hey its soo easy man...

just remember what i said earlier mann

my first attempt at changing brake pads on a friend accord me and him did my method, and it worked out

30 mins of work approx to get everything out and in and bleed....

you just need that one wrench and a friend, cause a friend will make the work alot easier...

AND REMINDER follow what i said to bleeding

if it dont work then bring it to a experience person or just search to do this yourself