Brakes, did I miss something?

[Grayguy]

Ok, lately my brakes have been leaving something to be disired. When i first got the car from my mom 2 summers ago, I could stop well, and had the ability to lock the brakes up. Now, they are kinda crappy. I noticed a few squeks, so i pulled the calipers off and replaced teh front pads even though they didnt' need it (old pads were about 1/2 life) Then I just pulled the rear drums and the shoes probably have about 3-4 mm left on them.

So, what did I miss. Why aren't my brakes stop like I think they should?

[hooRAH]

Because you're having difficulty generate brake line pressure.

[Eye8Pussies]

^ in short- bleed your brakes, and check your master cylinder

[Grayguy]

how does one "check" their master cylinder. I already checked fluid level...it's good.

[marc780]

Bleeding brakes means removing the air from the system. Fluid is incompressible, air is compressible when mixed with brake fluid. So search a post on how to bleed brakes and bleed them. If you bleed them and still does not brake well, then you probably need to replace the master cylinder (and bleed that too).
Also your rotors and drums should be smooth, if they are rough it will definitely interefere with good braking (the linings have less metal to grab if surface is rough).

[Gavin96V6LE]

how much shocks affect breaking..but master cylinder does have its part

[nodrogkam]

your brake pads and discs weren't glazed or damaged were they? Having some...well A LOT of fun in my dad's corolla which doesnt have ABS totally caused the brakes to be crispy, and in turn it was harder to stop and it was almost impossible to lock up the brakes unless it was soaking wet outside.

[Grayguy]

I am well aware of how to bleed brakes, thanks. He said "check the master cylinder" and I'm still not sure what he means. All my springs and struts are shot to crap. I ordered new stuff a week ago and it's still not here

[Gary_602Z]

Originally Posted by marc780

Also your rotors and drums should be smooth, if they are rough it will definitely interefere with good braking (the linings have less metal to grab if surface is rough).

Only true when putting new pads/shoes on grooved rotors/drums. Once they wear in your stopping power is almost good as new as long as everything else is working right

Gary

[kamesama980]

well the shocks/struts will definitely play a major part, as will bleeding the air. by checking the master cylinder he probalby means make sure its sealing well, that the piston or cylinder doesnt have gouges somehow.