Brakes rough when you hit them hard

[Stardog]

I just tested the brakes a bit on my '20 GT with 2,900 miles on it and they are pretty crunchy when I hit them hard. I haven't driven the car in about 6 weeks because a coyote wiped out the radiator and AC condenser and I just got it back on the road. Coyote went straight through the lower grille so I find it unlikely that the brakes were effected but perhaps? I know I can just take it to the dealership but I'd rather not.

Thanks,
Jon

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[WD Pro]

‘Coyote eats Coyote’ - unfortunate, but there’s got to be a meme or signature in there somewhere ...

Anyhow, I’ve had two cars that would get rough brakes after washing / rain then standing (rust) and after heavy breaking (uneven pad deposits).

Both cars are at opposite ends of the scale (M3 and Kia Sportage lol) but some controlled braking would fix both of them.

Try something like the pad bedding procedure that steeda have just posted up and report back

WD

 

[Rapid Red]

Just drive as normal, it will work itself out. Clean em up with light braking, long slow rolling stops, a few miles will do it.

No need to bed the pads to the rotor .

 

[Norm Peterson]

Actually, re-bedding the pads might not be a bad idea at all. Scouring off the rust is likely to scour off whatever amount of pad transfer had developed prior to meeting Mr. Canine.


Norm

 

[Stardog]

I figured it was probably a little bit of rust but didn't like the fact that it didn't go away after driving it to work and back. Also, I'm in the desert and there shouldn't be much rust.

 

[Stardog]

‘Coyote eats Coyote’ - unfortunate, but there’s got to be a meme or signature in there somewhere ...

It was irritating. BTW I have the same issue with my Trek as your Sportage and M3.

 

[Jordan @ Lethal]

Yeesh Sorry that happened. But yeah it's likely the just the rust build up. My fun car sits a lot and that happens constantly. Try using a little brake cleaner as well.

 

[NightmareMoon]

Rough makes it sound like he’s just geting into the ABS

 

[Stardog]

Rough makes it sound like he’s just geting into the ABS

Not at all. My Focus ST stops on a dime and it doesn't do anything goofy like that even if I go 60 and flat smash the brake pedal just for fun.

 

[NightmareMoon]

Can you describe better than “crunchy”?

Pics of the rotors?

 

[Stardog]

Can you describe better than “crunchy”?

Pics of the rotors?

I'll go for a drive in a bit and see if it has sorted itself out in the last 500 miles or so since I posted. I haven't used the brakes hard since then.

 

[Stardog]

Nightmare, went for a nice midnight cruise last night. Brakes feel good. I never thought that sitting for 6 weeks would do that, especially in the desert. It has been more humid lately though.

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