[Cricket]

Can't really figure out what it is.

I'm going to replace my pads because I think the guy lied to me about replacing them, and I'm going to bleed my brakes as well, but here is my issue.

Sometimes when I'm braking the pedal feels hard as a rock and I feel like a stutter in the brake pedal. Sounds kinda like the jake brake on semi's...just no where near as loud, but similar. Other times it's ok. Well last night my e-brake light came on when I was braking and it was doing it, and when I let off it was all ok again. Any ideas aside from shitty brake pads...and hopefully not fucked up rotors.

[Lefty]

Check the pads; the rotors probably need turned and/or replaced. Also double check the master cylinder to make sure there's plenty of fluid.

[08blkgt500]

Originally Posted by Cricket Can't really figure out what it is. I'm going to replace my pads because I think the guy lied to me about replacing them, and I'm going to bleed my brakes as well, but here is my issue. Sometimes when I'm braking the pedal feels hard as a rock and I feel like a stutter in the brake pedal. Sounds kinda like the jake brake on semi's...just no where near as loud, but similar. Other times it's ok. Well last night my e-brake light came on when I was braking and it was doing it, and when I let off it was all ok again. Any ideas aside from shitty brake pads...and hopefully not fucked up rotors.

the e-brake light came on when you use the foot brake? weird... something with electronics?

[Cricket]

Something with the guy who sold it to me noticed some problems didn't want to fix them, and got it to where it would be ok when I test drove it and then all the problems would turn up. I'm fuckin pissed.

[Lefty]

The rotors aren't that bad. Run your finger from the inner part of the rotor across the surface that the pad touches, and to the outer part of the rotor. Is there a lip? And is the rotor surface smooth?

[Cricket]

all 4 have a lip, and they are smooth

[Lefty]

A decent lip? Or very VERY minimal. Usually when there's a lip on there it's either A.) time to turn the rotors, or B.) replace them.

[Cricket]

pretty minimal

[CarlosRafi]

Cricket:

I had similar issues with my '97 Cobra, including the occasional brake light. To make the story short, I found that one of the rear calipers was sticking. Cause, one of the big screws (pins) that hold the caliper, you know the one that is supposed to allow it to float, seized in place. I didn't get it because the rubber boot seemed to be in good shape. Well, I purchased new rotors, screws, pins, pads, etc. at the dealer. When I'm putting things back together I find that things were not lining up properly, specifically, the caliper bracket holes were a little off from the caliper holes. I had to use more force than I would've liked to in order to make everything fit together. I had to do it that way because I needed to use the car. Now I'm planning on doing the whole thing again but with new calipers, new brackets, and everything else. By the way, right now I have some vibration when I break hard at high speed and I don't think it comes from the front. The break light has not come on after the first repair.

Carlos

[Cricket]

sounds like me. I just hope I don't have to replace the calipers as well.

[Catfiesh]

I have seen the hydroboost sys cause weird concerns like this, especially the hard pedal.. if you cannot find any issues with the rest of the braking sys, Id look into a hydroboost unit... just a suggestion.

[Lefty]

Originally Posted by Cricket pretty minimal

Originally Posted by Cricket sounds like me. I just hope I don't have to replace the calipers as well.

I would see if you can measure the thickness of the rotors and I can check either tonight or tomorrow at school the minimum thickness of the rotors. (Though it should say on the rotor). If a caliper isn't leaking or sticking you shouldn't have to replace it. When you press the brake pedal, does the car pull either left or right? If it does, then that is a sign of a sticking caliper. It will pull left if the front left is sticking and vice versa for the right.

[Cricket]

nope. They aren't sticking. Only times it pulls if I'm braking is when the roads are pretty shitty, and the car just absofuckinglutely has to go in that groove.

[Lefty]

Originally Posted by Cricket nope. They aren't sticking. Only times it pulls if I'm braking is when the roads are pretty shitty, and the car just absofuckinglutely has to go in that groove.

I would replace the pads with some ceramic ones. See if that helps. If not, then get the rotors turned. If the brake shop won't turn the rotors, then it's because they are within discard spec. and you'll need new front rotors.

[wraitherx]

[Cricket]

Well I started to read up about the brand of pads I have...and I have yet to find anything good about them. They are VGX pads...going back to my HAWK HPS pads now.

[weems]

Sounds like your rotors might be warped.

[Cricket]

how much would OEM replacements run me do ya'll think? Or would it just be worth to get something better?

[Cricket]

Opinions?

Stainless Steel Brakes A2360007 - Stainless Steel Brakes Short Stop Slotted Rotor Upgrade Kits - Overview - SummitRacing.com

Power Stop 8144XPR-KT - Cragar Cryogenic Performance Brake Rotors and Evolution Pads - Overview - SummitRacing.com
& for the rear
Power Stop 8142XPR-KT - Cragar Cryogenic Performance Brake Rotors and Evolution Pads - Overview - SummitRacing.com

[Lefty]

Originally Posted by Cricket Opinions? Stainless Steel Brakes A2360007 - Stainless Steel Brakes Short Stop Slotted Rotor Upgrade Kits - Overview - SummitRacing.com Power Stop 8144XPR-KT - Cragar Cryogenic Performance Brake Rotors and Evolution Pads - Overview - SummitRacing.com & for the rear Power Stop 8142XPR-KT - Cragar Cryogenic Performance Brake Rotors and Evolution Pads - Overview - SummitRacing.com

I have Brembo slotted rotors. Love them to death. But they were pricey though. The OEM replacements shouldn't be expensive at all. Especially if you were going through Mike/Steve @ Tousley Ford. on this though...just upgrade to some slotted rotors while you're at it. Especially if you'll have the car for quite sometime longer.