I replaced my front brake pads and have noticed my brake pedal is "soft". The brakes do not seem to stop the car as they once did. Any idea why they would do this? I did not touch the brake line at all.

 

What type of pads did you get?

It may take some time for the pads to bed in...
The pedal shouldn't go down 'too far' though...

 

I bought some from Auto Zone. I cannot recall the brand. No high dollar, but would the brand make that much of a difference? Should I do some hard braking to work it in?

 

Unless it's their premium line... I don't think they're gonna be that good... I've had bad experiences with "lifetime" warantee brakepads...

Don't "work" you brakes hard until they are broken in... or you might glaze them and ruin them... Use them 'normally' and TRY not to do 'emergency' type stops for about 100 miles.

Your pedal feel should improve soon... if it keeps up then you'll have to figure it out... new pads? or need to bleed system? etc...