A friend of mine helped me install a full Cobra brake setup over the weekend and were having problems with it. We installed the complete front kit, and a seperate rear kit that used the stock GT rotors. I used the stock PBR pads for the ront, and then ordered a set of Hawk HPS pads for the rears since they didn't come with them.
The install went fine for the most part, we ran into a few issues and took a lot longer than expected. Everything is installed correctly and mechanically functioning great.
The problem is with the stopping power. When the pedal is depress it feels like it moves down 1/2" or more without any grabbing at all. Beyond that, it's a really mushy, soft feeling when the pedal is depressed. It doesn't have any kind of a sharp "bite" to it like the pads are really grabbing onto the rotor. It takes quite a bit of effort to make it stop suddenly, or a long distance to stop normal.
My friend did some research and found out that it could be due to the ABS system after talking to Ford Racing. They said that an ABS Diagnostic utility is needed to cycle the ABS system and get the air out of it. Even though the rest of the system has been bled properly. They had said this was usually the primary cause in a case like this.
So...I took it to the Ford dealer this afternoon and told them about the problems. They said they would flush the brake fluid and refill it, then do the ABS Cycle to cure the issue. I went back and got the car and drove it home a few minutes ago, and it STILL is the same. It might be very slightly better, but definitely not even remotely as good as stock GT brakes. It still has that really mushy soft feeling and the threat like it's not going to stop when I want it to. At this point, my 06 Impala LT stops WAY better than my GT with full Cobra brakes.
I called the Ford dealership and they want me to take a ride with the service tech on duty that worked on my car earlier today so that I can point the problem out to them. I'm not sure where to even begin, especially if they can't see it plain as day. Quite frustrating, when all you have to do is drive the thing to figure it out. Especially after giving them $114 already to do the simple flush and ABS cycle.
I'm curious what your thoughts are guys, I'm in the hole quite a bit of cash with a car that has no stopping power.
The install went fine for the most part, we ran into a few issues and took a lot longer than expected. Everything is installed correctly and mechanically functioning great.
The problem is with the stopping power. When the pedal is depress it feels like it moves down 1/2" or more without any grabbing at all. Beyond that, it's a really mushy, soft feeling when the pedal is depressed. It doesn't have any kind of a sharp "bite" to it like the pads are really grabbing onto the rotor. It takes quite a bit of effort to make it stop suddenly, or a long distance to stop normal.
My friend did some research and found out that it could be due to the ABS system after talking to Ford Racing. They said that an ABS Diagnostic utility is needed to cycle the ABS system and get the air out of it. Even though the rest of the system has been bled properly. They had said this was usually the primary cause in a case like this.
So...I took it to the Ford dealer this afternoon and told them about the problems. They said they would flush the brake fluid and refill it, then do the ABS Cycle to cure the issue. I went back and got the car and drove it home a few minutes ago, and it STILL is the same. It might be very slightly better, but definitely not even remotely as good as stock GT brakes. It still has that really mushy soft feeling and the threat like it's not going to stop when I want it to. At this point, my 06 Impala LT stops WAY better than my GT with full Cobra brakes.
I called the Ford dealership and they want me to take a ride with the service tech on duty that worked on my car earlier today so that I can point the problem out to them. I'm not sure where to even begin, especially if they can't see it plain as day. Quite frustrating, when all you have to do is drive the thing to figure it out. Especially after giving them $114 already to do the simple flush and ABS cycle.
I'm curious what your thoughts are guys, I'm in the hole quite a bit of cash with a car that has no stopping power.