Brkaes feel Soft

[beav626]

I love my 03 Escalade EXT

but......

I ve been in a dealer loaner car it is a 09 Tahoe with 50k miles.

The brakes on the tahoe feel very responsive compared to my Caddy

on the caddy I have new pads (last Fall) but whan I get in the Caddy after the Tahoe I feel like I have to push way to hard to get my brakes to work.

is this just the difference in 6 years of engineering?

 

[scottg918514]

Possible air in lines or a lot of moisture in fluid, but if only 09, that would be odd.

 

[beav626]

Possible air in lines or a lot of moisture in fluid, but if only 09, that would be odd.

The 09 feels good the Caddy feels soft.

 

[Physh1]

Bleed the brakes/change the fluid. Did you bleed the caddy when the new pads went in?

 

[bkboatnsleds]

They have totally different brake boosters. I think its just the nature of the beast. Brakes were not the strong point on our bodystyle

 

[beav626]

Bleed the brakes/change the fluid. Did you bleed the caddy when the new pads went in?

no I never did bleed the brakes after the install...

What is the easiest way to Bleed the brakes.

 

[bkboatnsleds]

Easiest way is 2 people.. One on the brakes, one on each wheel cylinder. I always start furthest from the master cyl and work closer so in this order.

Rear Pass
Rear Driver
Front Pass
Front Driver

Crack the bleeder (Put a hose on it so the fluid can go into a container .. less mess) Once cracked have the pedal pushed to the floor. Once on the floor tighten the bleeder then let up on pedal.. Repeat this until no air bubbles are coming out, or fresh fluid comes out (if you are flushing it all together) Just remember never let OFF the pedal or Pump the pedal when the bleeder is open, this will let air in the line.

Do this at each caliper in the order above. Also remember to keep the master cylinder full as you drain fluid. If that goes empty, you have let air into the system and will have to start over.

Not as hard as it sounds.. promise.

---------- Post added at 11:41 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:39 AM ----------

Oh - also I always suggest using a NEW bottle of brake fluid - it will assure no moisture is in it if its an old bottle... and don't get it on your paint!

 

[beav626]

Thanks BK- I will give it a go this weekend and post results.

 

[M3PO]

Best off flushing with new fluid while you are bleeding. Old fluid gets dirt and moisture. Remember not to get the brake fluid on the paint!

 

[ferr1s]

x2 on the fluid flush. I bought my '04 last year with only 30k on it and the brakes felt soft. Also, pedal travel was longer than what I thought it should be. I looked at everything from stainless steel brake lines to a new brake booster because there was some weird squeakes coming from around the pedal area too. I flushed the brakes with help from my brother in law and it solved all the problems and complaints I had. Firm pedal pressure, way shorter pedal travel, and no more weird squeaks.

Like the rest of the guys have said too, make sure you use new (unopened) brake fluid. This stuff pulls moisture out of the air pretty quickly. It would be a big waste just to grab a bottle you've had out of the garage and bleed them. Spend the $10 bucks and get a large bottle of new fluid (or 2, you can always return it if you dont use it) and do it right. It will also give you some peace of mind.

Of course lastly, like most modifications, you'll net like 10 rwhp and +5 mpg out of it too, so do it soon ;-)

- Ferris