Brake performance..any advice

[Sime]

Hi peoples, you may remember that I recently posted a question about rear brake rattle - well, I have had several places test them and all could find nothing wrong.

I'll just live with it I guess (it has lessened in the last few weeks).

One other thing; have any of you noticed a definite 'lack of performance' with your PT brakes? Mine are really bad, I mean it's the 4-disc model with ABS - recently I didn't see a stop light (I AM Australian - don't hold it against me! We have stop lights in more obvious places over there) and had to HAMMER the brakes, hard enough to almost push my foot through the floor. The result? A gradual stop, NO abs engagement (since the wheels didn't lock-up) and a very scary experience! The brake dudes have all said that it's got new pads front/back and there's nothing wrong!

Am I just expecting too much?

Any advice would be great, thanks to all.

Simon.

[Sci-Fi]

Thats strange, I found the PT brakes to stop quite well, better than most cars out on the road. On several occasions, I had to release my brakes to prevent the guy behind me from hitting me because it looked like they couldn't stop in the same distance. Maybe your pads are glazed and weren't broken in properly. Might want to replace the pads and check the calipers to see if one or more are sticking. For the fronts, get ceramic brake pads; NAPA: Ceramix part #RBPCMX7716 or Raybestos: part #PGD841QS. Less or no dust and longer brake pad life over the factory installed pads. Rattling is probably from the parking brake or the wear indicators on the pads are misadjusted.

[Sime]

Thanks for the info. I think that I'll get it overhauled, but it concerns me that two separate places checked the brakes out and mentioned there were no problems! The ceramics are a good idea - hae a suspicion that the pads are a little on the cheap side...

I may also be used to my own car (the PT is my wife's) as that has a little bit better brakes - (Brembo

Cheers

Simon

[Jimbo]

Sime, I would try another brake place.I have all disc
on the 03 and the 04 has a rear drum and they both
stop very well.

[RallyDRock]

these worked for me but have to have 17" or larger wheels
18" summer wheels shown

[redrum]

out of curosity, how much?
am thinking of doing the same
redrum
03GT

[RallyDRock]

something like $650 comes with stainless lines. they are a 2 piece rotor w/ billet hat, fixed 4 piston calipers.
they squeak a lot but i really dont care cause they grab like a mofo
serious highway stopping power, almost got me rear ended a couple of times (sent the other car off onto the median) but saved my front end from a big 'ol buck.

methinks the stoptechs are more streetable but cost almost double

[quicksilverdon]

I agree with Sci-Fi. Sounds as if maybe your pads are glazed. You can take them out and see, sand them a little, but might as well get ceramic pads while you're at it. I find the brakes to be good.