S40 (New) Brakes : Spongy Brakes

[cloughy_2008]

Recently had front pads replaced, ever since then the brakes have a faded feel with more pressure required on the pedal to get car to stop. A friend of mine said i probably need a brake fluid change, seems strange the brakes were stong before the front pad change, any ideas? Also if i did have to replace the brake fluid does anyone know roughly what that should cost? thanks.

[dazc]

Originally Posted by cloughy_2008

Recently had front pads replaced, ever since then the brakes have a faded feel with more pressure required on the pedal to get car to stop. A friend of mine said i probably need a brake fluid change, seems strange the brakes were stong before the front pad change, any ideas? Also if i did have to replace the brake fluid does anyone know roughly what that should cost? thanks.

They probably just need time to bed in.
Give them a few hundered miles and they should feel better
Daz

[Madhouse]

I'd agree with dazc although maybe the type of pads you have could not be as effective - budget pads? Is it general driving speeds or high speed braking you notice it?

[S60D5NI]

Could also be some air in the system.

If doing the job 'by the book' you should open the bleed valves when retracting the calliper pistons. This is to reduce risk of pushing any 'crud' back into the (sensitive) ABS module. However, is a risk of getting some air into the system. If doesn't settle down in a few hundred miles, get the brakes bled.

I have heard that manufacturers (including Ford / Volvo) are moving towards a system were you have to hook the car up to the diagnostics gear to retract the calliper pistons. Progress or just another stumbling block for DIYers / independents?

[cloughy_2008]

Thanks you all for your comments, dont notice it that much at high speeds, when i need to put the anchors on quick a couple of times i've got close to the back of somone! I've done a couple of hundred miles so i'll give it a week or so before taking it in (dont trust myself with my own brakes!) thanks again

[s40Fid]

Suffered the same fear factor after a couple of hundred miles on new pads fitted for front and rear. I'm assured from my regular service garage of non-budget pads being fitted but the pedal certainly has to travel a lot further before breaking kicks in before the pads being done.

Any comments welcome, cheers.

[toxophilus]

Originally Posted by cloughy_2008

Recently had front pads replaced, ever since then the brakes have a faded feel with more pressure required on the pedal to get car to stop. A friend of mine said i probably need a brake fluid change, seems strange the brakes were stong before the front pad change, any ideas? Also if i did have to replace the brake fluid does anyone know roughly what that should cost? thanks.

Did you do the pads yourself or did someone else do them? Did they tell you to bed them in properly? i.e. no hard braking for 150 - 200 miles? If you haven't let them bed in properly there's a good chance that they've glazed the surface which is why they don't feel good.

From a personal point of view, if I'm changing pads I always change the discs too, regardless of their condition.