ZiggyDude Posted October 15, 2009 Report Share Posted October 15, 2009 I was wondering about the brakes on my 2008 SEL. The pedal feels real mushy. I think more by design than anything broke. I drove a Focus like this once. On the other hand the Taurus X does not have that feel. The car stops plenty fine. But you need push the brake pedal in really far. I prefer a tighter feel. Is there an adjustment for this? Thanx, - Ziggy - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted October 15, 2009 Report Share Posted October 15, 2009 I was wondering about the brakes on my 2008 SEL. The pedal feels real mushy. I think more by design than anything broke. I drove a Focus like this once. On the other hand the Taurus X does not have that feel. The car stops plenty fine. But you need push the brake pedal in really far. I prefer a tighter feel. Is there an adjustment for this? Thanx, - Ziggy - That is typical of most Ford products - not sure why. The only upgrade I know of that seems to help is braided stainless steel brake lines. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Depiry Posted October 16, 2009 Report Share Posted October 16, 2009 That is typical of most Ford products - not sure why. The only upgrade I know of that seems to help is braided stainless steel brake lines. Soft hoses will cause this ,try bleeding brake system,could also be air,Marty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlazedUp Posted October 16, 2009 Report Share Posted October 16, 2009 Air in the lines would cause the pedal to go to the floor. I think the brakes are shabby too, but if you have to make an emergency stop from , oh say , around 70 mph.....they work pretty damn good. I was surprised I didn't end up in the trunk of a jaguar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted October 16, 2009 Report Share Posted October 16, 2009 It's not air - this is a common Ford trait. The brakes work just fine but the pedal is mushy and not firm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Depiry Posted October 16, 2009 Report Share Posted October 16, 2009 Try stepping on the brake pedal several times when not moving,will reduce the pad clearances to the rotors and centralize the calipers and the pedal will be closer to the top,and won't be as mushy, Marty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Depiry Posted October 16, 2009 Report Share Posted October 16, 2009 (edited) T Edited October 17, 2009 by Depiry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZiggyDude Posted October 19, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 19, 2009 Hi everyone. Thanks for the replies. I suspect that the mush is more by design than something wrong. If you are also getting the same feeling then so be it. Some Ford products are that way regrets. I test drove a Focus a few years ago and it was like that. On the other hand I test drove the Freestyle, Taurus X - they were nice and tight. My older Probe and Ranger were tight to. So I suspect it was some choice made by the design teams. I wish Ford would stop the practice. So, no adjustments I guess. I suspect starting to change power assit units and all would be highly dangerous. So - just need to learn to live wityh it. Otherwise - nice car! - Ziggy - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted October 19, 2009 Report Share Posted October 19, 2009 Hi everyone. Thanks for the replies. I suspect that the mush is more by design than something wrong. If you are also getting the same feeling then so be it. Some Ford products are that way regrets. I test drove a Focus a few years ago and it was like that. On the other hand I test drove the Freestyle, Taurus X - they were nice and tight. My older Probe and Ranger were tight to. So I suspect it was some choice made by the design teams. I wish Ford would stop the practice. So, no adjustments I guess. I suspect starting to change power assit units and all would be highly dangerous. So - just need to learn to live wityh it. Otherwise - nice car! - Ziggy - I don't think anyone would "design" in mushy brakes. It might be a by-product of other design or tuning decisions though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeFord Posted October 19, 2009 Report Share Posted October 19, 2009 Keep in mind that this is a 4 wheel Disc brake system. Disc brake calipers will open up to clear a moving rotor when the brake pedal is not depressed. If you have a warped rotor, the calipers will open up more than 'normal' to clear the warped rotor. This will drive a lower pedal height because it takes more pedal to close the gap between the pad and the rotor. Check the run-out on your rotors. I replaced mine on my 2007 and it raised the pedal height. Still too low in my thoughts but at least it was higher with the warped rotors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlazedUp Posted October 19, 2009 Report Share Posted October 19, 2009 Keep in mind that this is a 4 wheel Disc brake system. Disc brake calipers will open up to clear a moving rotor when the brake pedal is not depressed. If you have a warped rotor, the calipers will open up more than 'normal' to clear the warped rotor. This will drive a lower pedal height because it takes more pedal to close the gap between the pad and the rotor. Check the run-out on your rotors. I replaced mine on my 2007 and it raised the pedal height. Still too low in my thoughts but at least it was higher with the warped rotors. The pedal height should never change. As the pads wear, the brake pedal will travel further when applying the brakes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Depiry Posted October 19, 2009 Report Share Posted October 19, 2009 (edited) The leading pad will wear more than the other creating space and a lower pedal,air in the system will cause a spongy pedal,air is compressible ,hydraulic fluid is not. I have a 2010 Limited 3000 miles,the brake pedal is 3/4" from the top and firm since I applied pressure while standing still,Marty Edited October 19, 2009 by Depiry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted October 20, 2009 Report Share Posted October 20, 2009 The pedal height should never change. As the pads wear, the brake pedal will travel further when applying the brakes. The fluid level will drop as the caliper cylinders move further out to compensate for the pad wear but the pedal travel shouldn't change. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlazedUp Posted October 21, 2009 Report Share Posted October 21, 2009 How long have you been a mechanic kirb ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted October 21, 2009 Report Share Posted October 21, 2009 How long have you been a mechanic kirb ? Doesn't take a mechanic to understand a braking system. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
end Posted October 21, 2009 Report Share Posted October 21, 2009 Has anyone slapped on some aftermarket brake pads? If so, what kind? I've found that they do make some difference in brake feel and performance... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted October 21, 2009 Report Share Posted October 21, 2009 Has anyone slapped on some aftermarket brake pads? If so, what kind? I've found that they do make some difference in brake feel and performance... Many folks use EBC pads with good results. They have several versions (colors). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcas Posted November 12, 2009 Report Share Posted November 12, 2009 Has anyone slapped on some aftermarket brake pads? If so, what kind? I've found that they do make some difference in brake feel and performance... I tried the Disk-Italia Kevlar pads on my WRX and they really tightened that up, noisy though. I am going to do the same on MKX as I liked the performance along with new rotors. Less dust also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MOFSTEEL Posted November 12, 2009 Report Share Posted November 12, 2009 These should help out in the stopping department. I might go this route if the price is right after my wheel upgrade. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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