What would explain shitty brake feel? My 87 GXL had a much better pedal feel than my 89 t2. And the pedal in the gxl was much more sensitive. Perhaps i have old crappy fluid? The pads are new... the rotors are in really good shape....

Thanks!
-Ross

 

89 T2 is quite a bit heaver than an 87 GXL if I remember its something like 300 lbs.. I could be wrong thou..

Could be the fluid.. I changed mine and felt a slight difference.

Have you bled your breaks? master cylinder might also be going out..

 

No, the pedal does not feel spongy, its just not as responsibe. Master cylinder is new. Calipers are new. Pads are new. Rotors are a bit glazed. Perhaps he used cheap pads?

 

Have you had a look at your rubber lines, I had simalar problems and it turned out that on of the rear Hoses had rubbed and worn through the outer casing of the Pipe and my brakes felt like S**t.

Also it sounds like you have had some major brake work done was all the Fluid drained? i have heard of ABS systems developing Air locks in the ABS pump.


Chris

 

That is an extremely good possibility. A good brake pad is always worth the money in my experience. Get some Axxis metal masters or some Hawk hp's for around $40-50 for a set of fronts. Try them out and you'll probably spend the money to get the rears too. Make sure you seat them properly like they say in the directions as well. Good luck!

 

its the abs that makes brakes it feel shitty

 

Next order of business -- removing abs

 

my brakes feel fantastic, and I have abs

 

All the n/a cars I have driven have had much better brakes than the turbo's I've driven. It's been discussed that the cause is the inadequate master cylinder. The turbo cars use the same master cylinder but have more pistons to operate, thus lowering the mechanical advantage the master cylinder has, abs probably doesnt help but the real solution is to rig a half decent master cylinder in there and replace the rubber lines with stainless steel.

 

rx7t2, that makes no sense because i had 4 piston brakes in my gxl. The only thing different is the abs in my current car.
I just think the brake pads are ****. He probably had it done at speedy's or something. They're red on the back if that tells you anything. The oem ones are black from what i remember.

 

Maybe try some new pads then. I have the Hawk HPS pads I got at www.tirerack.com and they seem to have mad grip yo ;-)

They didn't cost that much either.

 

the abs makes the brakes seem spongy? i don' tknwo if that is the correct word to describe them.

But it is like slack? the first inch of travel does nothing, then all of the sudden u get a lot of brake... It is like it not linear?

something like that.

 

Thats what mine does Cheers. And there is always a ton of air in my front left caliper. There were 2 seized pistons in there and ever since I freed them Ive had shitty pedal feel I guess I need a new one.

 

What's a good master cylinder replacement, then? If the TII one is inadequate, as you say.

 

I WISH!! I'd love that. but its linear... and doesnt feel like a mazda brake pedal, you know what i mean? They're usually very sensitive... mine isnt. I mean it stops.. but you dont have the same brake pedal feel.

 

Personally I think the thoughts are way off base. The ABS would have noting to do with the feel of the braking system, unless it's leaking profusely. The TII brakes, when new, were incredible. My '89TII will stop on the proverbial dime. I've also had to rebuild the calipers. The fronts especially, because of condensation in the lower part of the caliper has a tendency to freeze up the lower pistons after time.
If everyone is having a problem, there certainly must be a problem with your systems. Need good pads and lines, and be certain all calipers(pistons) are functioning properly. Don't forget these systems are 12 plus years old, and will need maintenance to perform properly.