Brakes not stoping car, How should my 914s brakes feel Options

[brandomc]

Hey everyone, finally got some new wheels, tires and lugnuts on my car. Now i can really drive this thing, but I dont like the way the brakes feel. I can pretty much push the pedal to the floor and the car comes to a gradual stop. They are working ok for slow driving, but i definatly cant get the car to stop in an emergency. The rotors and pads dont look to bad other than rust and dust, so im wondering what i need to do to make the car stop correctly. What should my brake pedal feel like and how should the car stop with stock brakes? Would bleeding the brakes make any difference? Help!
Here are some pics of what she is looking like with the new rims!!

[RonnieJ]

Sounds as though you don't have the lines bled well, the 914 brakes can be a pain to bleed fully. Also you need to ensure the venting of the rear pads is adjusted correcltly.

[RonnieJ]

Here are a couple articles on adjusting and venting the pads from the Pelican site.

http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/9...leed_brakes.htm

http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/9..._brake_pads.htm

[jsaum]

The pedal should travel 1/4 to 1/3 then you should feel the brakes firmly engage. The pedal shouldn't travel all the way to the floor. If all of the brake pads are good and not worn you may have air in the system or may need a new master cylinder. You can jack up the car and have someone press the brake pedal and check each wheel to make sure each caliper is working.

Good luck,
Jsaum

[Drums66]

Sounds as though you don't have the lines bled well, the 914 brakes can be a pain to bleed fully. Also you need to ensure the venting of the rear pads is adjusted correcltly.

venting clearance is critical!
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/bye1.gif)(cool machine)

[Tom]

That's a nice looking car. Please get your brakes fixed before you need them in an emergency. Yours are not working right. When you get them right, you are gonna say " oh my goodness ". Be carefull when you put them to the test, as most other cars will not be able to stop as well.
Tom

[VaccaRabite]

My 914 with the stock brakes stops faster then my Daily Driver with power brakes. When they are set up properly, they work very well.

I agree that it sounds like you need to bleed the system more. Get a power bleeder, or use the long tube method. And make sure that the venting is set on the back brakes.
Zach

[RJMII]

how do your soft brake lines look? They can exacerbate the situation caused by having air in the lines. I'd check them; and if they need replaced, replace. Then bleed. (there is no point in bleeding twice)

[brandomc]

how do your soft brake lines look? They can exacerbate the situation caused by having air in the lines. I'd check them; and if they need replaced, replace. Then bleed. (there is no point in bleeding twice)

Thanks for the replys everyone. I will have to look at the soft lines tonight. To clairify, those are the lines running to the caliper from the hardlines right? I wouldnt figure there to be any other soft lines in the system.
I figured something was wrong with my brakes, 4 wheel disks should work really well i woudl think.

[McMark]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) check the soft lines (replace them, they're cheap), check the venting clearance, then bleed-bleed-bleed the system. It's a PITA and it seems like you're getting nowhere. But once the system is fully bled out, it's amazing.

[RJMII]

To clairify, those are the lines running to the caliper from the hardlines right?

Correct. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[qa1142]

If they are in good condition and you want to .... you should be able to lock the tires up with stock tires.

Anything less and you have some work to do

[bmtrnavsky]

When I replaced my rubber lines they were full of gunk! They were probably 50% occluded with crap... I was seriously shocked! New break fluid and lines made a BIG difference!

[brandomc]

When I replaced my rubber lines they were full of gunk! They were probably 50% occluded with crap... I was seriously shocked! New break fluid and lines made a BIG difference!

All my lines appear to be original, so i just ordered a stainless line kit. Hopefully i dont need a new mastercylinder. I will try the new lines and a good bleed. This car needs to stop. Ill update in a week as to what differences i see. Thanks

[VaccaRabite]

Please don't use the stainless flex lines on your car.
Use the rubber flex lines.

If you meant stainless hard lines to replace everything, thats fine, though the green coated steel lines from Napa I find easier to work with.

Zach

[SirAndy]

i just ordered a stainless line kit

Noooooooooooo ....


Please use new OEM rubber lines.
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif) Andy

[bmtrnavsky]

When I replaced my rubber lines they were full of gunk! They were probably 50% occluded with crap... I was seriously shocked! New break fluid and lines made a BIG difference!

All my lines appear to be original, so i just ordered a stainless line kit. Hopefully i dont need a new mastercylinder. I will try the new lines and a good bleed. This car needs to stop. Ill update in a week as to what differences i see. Thanks

I did SS lines, new master cylinder, pads and rotors with a good bleed and it was a BIG difference!

[davep]

Glazed rotors and cheap pads don't generate much friction. Turning or grinding the rotors and a good set of pads can make a huge difference. This supposes that you have already taken care of the lines and the calipers are in good shape; calipers seem to need rebuilding about every ten years.

[brandomc]

Please don't use the stainless flex lines on your car.
Use the rubber flex lines.

If you meant stainless hard lines to replace everything, thats fine, though the green coated steel lines from Napa I find easier to work with.

Zach

Why would i not want to use the stainless flex lines? It says they are better on the pelican site.

[brandomc]

Please don't use the stainless flex lines on your car.
Use the rubber flex lines.

If you meant stainless hard lines to replace everything, thats fine, though the green coated steel lines from Napa I find easier to work with.

Zach

Why would i not want to use the stainless flex lines? It says they are better on the pelican site.

I called pelican, and they already sent the lines, but talking to their teck guy he said i would be fine. I ordered the DOT approved Stainless lines which he said are safe for street use unlike the non DOT approved which has the stainless right up against the plastic inner tubing.