Guest GMoney Posted August 7, 2015 Report Share Posted August 7, 2015 I acquired my grandmothers 2004 90K mile Buick Century. When I got the car the front brake pads backing plates where wearing on the rotors and the brake fluid reservoir was filled to the very top. (Strange in my book) Like someone ran it low and just tried to add fluid? The rear pads are about 50-60% life left, rear rotors are at the limit of thickness but not under. So I had the front rotors cut and they are just slightly under size now but only by a .5mm. I put new super cheap $18 pads on and the car stops fine under normal conditions but during a panic stop or hard braking they will not stop you quickly. The pedal basically feels like there is air in the system. No lights on the dash, not codes in the computer. What I have done to the system and in this order. 1. I bled the brakes manually and didn't get any air out. No difference. 2. I replaced the cheap pads with the best set offered. Wagners. No difference. 3. I took the car to Firestone because over the phone they said they would use a pressure bleeder and the scan tool to bleed the ABS system. The tech did not use the pressure bleeder and only used the scan tool to cycle the ABS system. He claimed he has never had to use a power bleeder before. No difference. 4. I Replaced the master cylinder with a new one from Autozone. No difference. 5. I pressure bled 32oz of brake fluid through the system at 30 PSI but without a Scan tool to cycle the ABS. Again no air came out and made no difference. The interwebs say i must pressure bleed at 35 PSI and use the scan tool at the same time. Anyone on here that can do this? Think this will fix my problem? Or is it some thing else like the booster or actual ABS module? This has me totally stumped and I cant give a unsafe car to a family member. I can't ask my grandmother anything because she is totally out of it, doesn't even know where she is at anymore. Thanks in advance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Green Bastard Posted August 7, 2015 Report Share Posted August 7, 2015 I would take it back to Firestone and tell them to do the job you paid them to do the first time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest GMoney Posted August 7, 2015 Report Share Posted August 7, 2015 I would take it back to Firestone and tell them to do the job you paid them to do the first time. Didn't pay them because they did not do what I asked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aussiek2000 Posted August 7, 2015 Report Share Posted August 7, 2015 are slide pins bound up causing a caliper to cock sideways instead of press on the pads 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest GMoney Posted August 7, 2015 Report Share Posted August 7, 2015 are slide pins bound up causing a caliper to cock sideways instead of press on the pads Slide pins are super clean, free of any rust. They are greased up and super smooth. The one pin is a larger in diameter and other has a plastic bushing to make up the difference. I had not seen that on gm before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benner Posted August 8, 2015 Report Share Posted August 8, 2015 Slide pins are super clean, free of any rust. They are greased up and super smooth. The one pin is a larger in diameter and other has a plastic bushing to make up the difference. I had not seen that on gm before. Very normal to see on GM slide pins. As for braking issue, seen issues with brake hoses expanding under pressure, also a new set of rotors couldn't hurt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cstmg8 Posted August 8, 2015 Report Share Posted August 8, 2015 I was also going to suggest rubber hose expansion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest GMoney Posted August 8, 2015 Report Share Posted August 8, 2015 Very normal to see on GM slide pins. As for braking issue, seen issues with brake hoses expanding under pressure, also a new set of rotors couldn't hurt. I will check the hoses but can't believe that rotors would cause a soft pedal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aussiek2000 Posted August 9, 2015 Report Share Posted August 9, 2015 I will check the hoses but can't believe that rotors would cause a soft pedal. If the are under spec, they shouldn't be on the car to begin with Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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