Doh! Soft brakes still
 

After replacing the rotors with dayles slotted ones, all new stainless lines, and all new ceramic pads the braking is still not all that great. I've gone through two bottles of brake fluid bleeding the brakes. I'm not getting any air anymore and the fluid is nice and clear. The problem is that when the brakes are depressed the first 1/2-3/4 of an inch are not there basically. Its as if there is air in the system but i can't seem to find it. Could this somehow be my master cylinder having air in it? It's really weird because after that the brakes are pretty good but i figured the brakes would be right there when i pressed them when i bought all this stuff for the brakes...Any info is greatly appreciated.

1. You can bleed the master cylinder.
2. Bleed the ABS
3. Possible bad mc or booster?

in order to bleed the master cylinder i have to pull it correct? or can i bleed it in the car?
Also the abs, how do i go about bleeding that??I wasn't aware that could be done..Thanks for the help thus far

Agree with Collin on the above.

In addition....

I would have thought ceramic pads were fast road or race spec, and they would not grab tight until they got hot. Have you given the brakes grief, and see if they improve when hot??

It is easier to drive a car which has the first inch or so of brake travel gradually applying the brakes. Otherwise it is very much an on-off switch thing, hard to drive smoothly in traffic. If the brakes grab strong after that, then that's the way I like mine to work.

Have you got someone else to try the car, see if they think the brakes are OK? Provided the car will stop straight and true and quickly for an emergency stop, you should have no worries.

Joe:)

I have bled a master cylinder on the car with other cars, I've never done it on the SVX. Pretty sure you can.

As for the ABS, I'm looking for it....

More than you ever wanted to know about brakes
 

http://www.subaru-svx.net/photos/fil...er95/18215.pdf

Here is some brake info, including the bleeding pattern. Apparently the ABS bleeder screws are underneath the abs plastic cover. I have never done it and can't check it right now. Hope this helps.

ABS
 

Here is a diagram of the abs module with bleeder screws.

http://www.subaru-svx.net/photos/fil...er95/18216.pdf

awesome finds i guess ill try some of those tests when i gets some time. The feel im looking for with the brakes is nothing like on/off but more like the super firm s2000/ 350z brakes...Well either way thanks for the help and those finds...

Best $15 I ever spent when I got the Mitchell CD off of ebay...

brakes
 

Want a fast, you might want to check your caliper sliders. The calipers slide on a shaft at the top of the caliper, if you remove the wheels, then the bottom caliper bolt, then pivot the caliper up, see if it can slide in and out without binding. I've seen them pivot up and down freely, when the top caliper bolt was actually turning. ie; loosening and tightening, it's the in and out movement that allows the brakes to work on the disc from both sides.

Re: Doh! Soft brakes still
 

I just went outside and measured Diana's brake pedal travel, and my brake pedal travel. We both have the SS brake line upgrade, so our brakes react quicker, and feel harder than the kids' SVXs. The pedal measures 6.5 inches from/to the carpet, with the engine running, pushing the pedal with my thumb, the pedal "free falls" about 1.25 inches, and "bottoms out" with full brakes at 2 inches travel, or 4.5 inches from the carpet. This is normal. If you want them to work in the first 1/2 inch of travel then, I belive you will have to re-engineer the pedal/pivot/master cylinder system. Tom

thank you sir i guess im just used to the instantaneous firm brake pedal on the forementioned cars....Thanks for the help

Re: Re: Doh! Soft brakes still
 

Tom is correct. I just put rotors and pads on today, and like before, there is a bit of travel before they grab good. BTW, I am running standard rotors (not drilled / slotted from CarQuest) and EBC Green Stuff performance pads. Working great! Seems to stop better already, and I haven't broken them in yet - just drove down the street and around the block.
Harry