95 XLS brakes takes a long time to brake

[coolfez]

hi all,

This is on my wife's car and when I press down on the brake pedal, it takes a while for the car to stop. There isn't that instant stopping feeling that cars should have. She said it has been going on for a while. I am not sure what it could be. If it was the brake pads being too thin, shouldn't they have been screaming and squealing? Thanks

[Jack Deth]

if she rides the brakes the rotors may be glazed

[bob2]

some of the calipers may be stuck. this is a serious problem, that has the potential to be fatal. i would park that car until i had it fixed.

unless, of course, your wife is well insured...

[fourwheeler]

If you want to try to unglaze the pads, take the car up to 55, stomp on the brakes until around 10 mph and repeat 4 times, then let the brakes cool by either driving for some distance or parking the car. If the problem continues, like Bob2 said, check to make sure the calipers are working properly and the slide pins are not stuck. You should be able to move the caliper a bit from side to side and see the pads move when someone is pushing on the brakes.