soft brakes

Anyone experienced soft/spongy brakes on 09 models? what are some corrective options?

 

buy some stainless steel brake lines.

 

I know on my 2001 I changed did a brake job and was having soft brakes once I was finished and come to find out it was because my rear brakes were not adjusted right.

Just a thought!

 

i would rate myself better than average when it comes to working on cars. with that being said, is brake lines replacement a do it yourself job or a shop job?

 

Anyone can change brake lines. But there are a few things you should know - before jumping in.

The brake lines at the calipers (front) has a banjo bolt and copper crush washers. You CAN NOT re-use the crush washers. Buy new ones.

And - you should know how to bleed brakes properly.

 

my pedal is soft on my 08 im gonna check it out this weekend

 

I most have missed something if your pedal is soft why are yall talking out replacing the brake lines???

 

The idea behind why a pedal feels soft and changing the lines to braded steel is that the rubber lines "give" and allow the fluid pressure to expand the lines. When this happens, that makes the system "soft" and feel unresponsive because... it is. When you apply x force on the pedal and some of that force is transfered to expanding the lines... your'e not getting the full pedal force you think you should be getting. Switching to steel corrects this by not allowing expansion in the lines, forcing all the pressure to go directly to the calipers.

Kinda wordy explanation but, hopefully that helps. Also, from peeps that have changed over was it a really noticable change? I'm considering upgrading all the lines and getting some better drilled/slotted rotors down the line as the stopping power isn't nearly as good as I wish it was and feel it could be.

 

It makes perfect sense.... I just can't justify the cost to buy them - especially in this economy.

My husband and I installed stainless lines (and a lift kit) on a jeep this past weekend. The owner of the jeep said his brakes felt better than they've ever felt before..... I can believe it.

 

Eh for about $100 shipped off e-bay... seems like a relatively inexpensive mod, and worth it esp if it helps stopping power. I spend more than that on stupider stuff.... lol.

 

I need to do this. Too often, we concentrate on performance upgrades and forget about more important things like safety. I did this on my '05 Altima and it definitely made a difference in braking distance and feel. I later replaced the OEM rotors with slotted ones and I'm now a believer for life in these mods. Definite improvement.

 

my brakes are hard to push, they are just fine and dandy!

 

I'm with Wilson, going to check the piggy bank and start searching.....

 

I know, I know..... I've got a $350 exhaust out in the garage that I 'had' to have.

 

The '09 I test drove a month or so ago had soft breaks. We'll see what mine is like when it comes in in a couple weeks.

 

The brake pedal on my '09 makes a noise when I push it - hard to explain, but kinda like a short hissing, SPHFT.

Does that make sense? I don't recall this in my '06.

 

Look for the Goodridge brand. That's what I used on my Altima and they're a good quality and price.

 

yes it makes sense, i have the same problem on my 09...im glad to know im not the only one

 

But is something actually wrong or is that "just the way it is"?

 

^My guess is that it's just how it is. I've seen this same complaint many times on the forums over the 1+ year I've been a member. I personally don't have any issue with my brakes other that I'd like a shorter stopping distance.