i just changed my front and rear pads in order to hopefully increase braking power and shorten stopping distance. my front brakes werent too worn, but the rears were getting down there. i used hawk hp up front and axxis mm in the rears.

there was no rear shims and one of the boots around the rear piston was messed up bad so i just removed the shreds so they dont get caught anywhere.

i still feel as if braking isnt too great and abs kicks on easily. this is my first abs equipped car though

anyone feel this way and/or have braking distances (like magazine tests) 1998 se. i know my pads are different than stock

also does ABS make funny noises like pinging/grinding....sounds wierd, but dont know how to explain it

thanks

 

Did the front calipers pistons pushed back in the calipers with little pressure (using a c-clamp)? if not might could be seized calipers. Did the caliper pins slide in and out freely? Did you check their condition for absence of rust and presence of non contaminated grease? were the rotors shiny on both sides on all wheels? are the rear calipers seized? you can test this by having a helper apply the brake pedal with the pads off and the caliper sticking out: the piston should come out.
Was it difficult to rotsate the rear caliper pistons back in the calipers?
As you see many other small details influence braking performance.

 

If ABS is engaging, your pads and rotors are fine, but your tires suck. Grip to the ground makes a bigger difference in stopping distance than different brake pads.

 

How long have you had your brakes on for. If you just put them on remember that you have to brake them in first. The Hawk pads come with the a sheet that explains the brake in procedure. My Hawk pads dust quite a bit, but I am very happy with how well they stop when I've had to stomp on them .

 

the pistons and caliper pins were fine, the rotors looked ok too, no gooves, but not exactly brand spankin new either

i broke in the pads like the sheet stated

my rear tires do suck tho....hmmm

 

Yeah, ABS feels like somethings terribly wrong with your car if you've never felt them before. They will sound and feel like they're grinding and they will bounce. That's the calipers engaging and disengaging quickly. The thing you have to remember is to just stay on them. If you take your foot off and pump, you'll take forever to stop.

 

Rear tires should make ~ difference compared to the front tires under hard breaking as the weight of the car shifts to the front from the rear...

LEMAR