changed brakes - only better after highway driving ?!

[ever_green]

I have changed my front brake pads on my 2000 corolla after it was metal on metal. I also had to change the front drums and the brake fluid all by midas. I did not notice any difference in braking and thought for a minute they might have not changed the pads! however after doing some 65mph+ highway driving the brakes stiffened up and became very sharp. but soon after some city driving they became loose and weak again! what's happening here? is there something wrong?

[CJCride]

Go back and have them check their work.

[fishexpo101]

Do you know what pads they used? Most pads need some sort of bedding in process before they work correctly. Think of it as breaking in the pads on the rotors. If don't incorrectly, you'll probably have some weird braking behavior. I total agree with CJCride - take it back and have them recheck their work. If it checks out OK, ask for the proper bedding process - if none is specified, there are tons of example methods online. Just look up bedding in brake pads. Just keep in mind that if you got brand new pads and rotors - could take a little bit of driving before the car starts to behave normally (have to wear down the machining marks on the rotor).

[craig01b]

Nope, not normal. First few brake applications may be weak, but the pads will seat themselves in a few miles, and things should be normal. I trust you mean rear drums, and if your front pads were metal on metal, you replaced the rotors also?

C