Braking Issue.

[Panda69]

Hi Fellow VE Commodore Drivers,

I’m a long time viewer/reader first time poster, and I am hoping for some guidance regarding a braking issue that I have got in my VE Commodore MY09.5 SV6 Sportswagon.

Background History – I got DBA Slotted T2 Rotors and Bendix Heavy Duty Pads put on the front of my car about a month ago.

I also got a brake fluid flush and fresh Penrite Super Dot 4 Brake Fluid put in.

Current Problem – I thought all was good until about half an hour ago when I had to do an “oh ****” stop and got far from previously braking performance.
My brake pedal got to a spot and stopped, it wouldn’t go any further, like it hit a brake wall for a split second, I heard/felt what I thought was a slight grind (I couldn’t tell exactly what it was as the radio was turned up a little) and then the brake pedal travelled a bit further, the brakes bit hard and the ABS engaged, eventually coming to a stop, narrowly missing the dog that was running across the road.

I was doing 100 km/hr in a rural area when this incident happened.

Post this experience, and changing my underwear, I’ve found a long straight stretch of rural road to test the brakes on.

I accelerated to 100 km/hr (which is the sign posted speed) and tried an emergency brake situation, with a the same problem.

My brake pedal gets to a point, and stops, like it has hit a brick wall.

ABS does not engage and the braking performance is VERY poor. I feel that the brake effort isn’t enough for the wheels to start to lock up for ABS to engage.

Please note that before I got the new front rotors and front brake pads, braking performance was perfect. I have previously done trial emergency stop on exactly the same road with my ABS Brakes engaging and coming to a stop A LOT sooner than my car currently is.

I would appreciate people’s thoughts on this issue before I take it back to the mechanic tomorrow for a “Please Explain.”

 

[Benboy]

Drive vehicle (if at all) with extreme caution. Take to a reputable (Specialised) Brake Repair Centre to have the system thoroughly checked. You have obviously done something wrong with the installation/replacement/service.

 

[Panda69]

NB - I must add that I didn't do the work, the annoying thing, a local mechanic did the work for me.

 

[Sabbath']

I'd look at getting the rotors skimmed and the pads resurfaced as there may be some glazing causing insufficient braking efficiency.

 

[NU13]

could it be old rubber brake lines swelling with fluid under pressure?

 

[prktkljokr]

I would take it back to the mechanic, brakes are one of those things you don't screw with unless you know what you are doing, I would say (without looking) the bed in process was done incorrectly and they are glazed.

The ABS wont engage until a wheel locks, ABS looks at all the wheel speeds and only engages when there is a irregularity between all 4 wheels.

 

[Panda69]

Yep, taking it straight back to the mechanic who changed them. I totally agree when you say brakes are one of those things you don't screw around with, cause I honestly don't know where to start with them.

prktkljokr - You mention that you think the bed in process was done incorrectly. Would this matter even though the Bendix Heavy Duty pads stated on the packaging they came in it said "No Bedding in Required"?

 

[prktkljokr]

I still think they don't need bedding in on a standard rotor, but slotted?, im pretty sure they need a bedding in period before you can go full race with them, especially with a slotted rotor, I cant see it being a good idea to fit new rotors and pads then see how well they work straight out of the box without letting them settle.

There are a few things you can check,seeing they are new, take a look to see if the pad is making full contact on the rotor, the wear marks on the rotor will tell you if a pad has been fitted correctly, if it has not made full contact you should see on a new rotor that it will still be like new where the pad does not make contact, if fitted correctly, check if the rotor looks like it has been too hot, blue spots, a darker grey look etc, it could be glazed.