I just completed front pad change on '99 f150. Performed same maintence two years ago with no problems. Had rotors turned. Test drive lacks breaking power on front, only in rear. Took apart again to make sure evertything seated correctly and bled lines. Again test drive indicated front failure or minimal stopping power. I was wondering if could be calipers or master cylinder. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

 

If you had not turned your rotors, the brakes would be less than desirable until the pads wore to fit the rotors. But, if you turn the rotors, they should stop like new. Unless, you somehow screwed up the master cylinder or ABS doing the brake job. You do have plenty of fluid, right? What kind of pads did you buy? If you bought the expensive carbon metallic brake pads, I think they have to get hot to brake properly. I don't know about the ceramic. I always use semi-metallic.

 

When you cut the rotors how much was cut off?
Were they checked for how much was left after cutting?

 

i did complete bleed on all brakes and still does not seem to alleviate problem. is there a way to test calipers?

 

the guy who turned them said there was enough for another turn

 

did your former pads wear evenly?
could be a froze caliper slide

do your new pads slide in the mounting bracket easily?

 

This may sound stupid, but I've seen it happen. I've seen the pads installed backwards with the metal backing plates up against the rotors. (Talk about metallic pads!) This leads to very poor braking performance.

 

neem57, braking performance is poor but what's the brake pedal feel? if your brake pedal has normal feel (i.e. it isnt going to the floor or its not unusually mushy), i'd suspect the pads were installed backwards as 2stroked mentioned.

 

thanks eveyone,

bled again and working fine