Shouldn't wheels lock when i stomp on brakes?

[Marmeister]

Some Urgent Advice please.....

I have EBC slotted Disks on all 4 wheels and EBC green pads (very recently) and braided hoses - although one appeared cracked so replaced it by rubber brake hose). Master Cylinder changed last year.

Problem is I can't lock the wheels when I stomped on the brakes (and thought I should be able to), although I can't recall if they were always like that. Brake pedal feels hard, no sponginess, and brakes do eventually stop the car but I think not as abruptly or fast as they should. And I don't think as quickly as would be needed in an emergency...

So I suspected the Power Booster. Just replaced it and bled all brakes. No difference. Could the green pads be the problem? Do they not grip tight unless they're pretty hot?

Out of Options...
Thanks
Marmeister

[vandor]

Yes, you should be able to lock up the wheels. Did you bed-in the pads properly? Does EBC have a bed-in procedure?
I'd call them.
Is the brake pedal hard to push under normal braking?

[azruss]

I put on all 4 new rotors with EBC greens and had the same issue. They are finally settling in after about a year (extremely mild braking). they are just now starting to come around. Csaba is right about a comprehensive "brake-in"

[So Cal Mark]

EBC does include a pamphlet with break-in instructions with their pads

[Marmeister]

Thanks Csaba, Azruss and Mark!

I did not Bed them in. I'll look it up and follow the procedure. I was just about to try putting cheap pads up on to see if I'm on the right track, but I had no idea about bedding in or that it could make this much of a difference (I must not have paid enough attention to look for notes that came with the pads, Mark).

Thanks for helping all of us with the best advice, guys.

Adham

[garion]

On a old car of mine (2004 Audi A4 3.0, 6 speed, before she was totaled in an accident), I put on some high performance brake pads and rotors.. I then preceded to bed them per the instructions.. 0-60-0 as fast as you can (without locking up the wheels), 10 times, let cool... When I finished, I had smoke coming from all 4 wheels..

But damn.. That car could stop on a dime when I was done. I never believed breaking in pads and rotors before that. Follow the procedure. Trust me.

[Marmeister]

Thanks, John. Hope I realize the same results
First attempt to find Bed-in procedures shows light/moderate braking for first 200-300 miles, then ......:

5-6 times at medium pressure bringing the car from 60mph to 10mph. Drive the vehicle for a few miles to allow the brakes to cool and repeat this procedure. During this final break in a brake odour will almost certainly appear and this is perfectly normal. This is known as green fade where the surface resins within the pad finally cure and burn off.

Will try it..

[fiat218]

Well I just learned something new, I did not know this about brake pads

[DanD]

Sometimes it helps to deglaze the rotors before doing the bedding in.

[vandor]

Well I just learned something new, I did not know this about brake pads

This is mostly for hi-po pads, regular street pads should be fine without bedding in.

[cricketland]

Some Urgent Advice please.....
Hello,
I'm planning a pretty much the same overhaul EBC discs, dimpled and slotted I'm probably gonna go for all four what the heck, Green stuff front and back , new hoses and calipers. so since 2011 how has everything with your brake overhaul held up ? regards M
I have EBC slotted Disks on all 4 wheels and EBC green pads (very recently) and braided hoses - although one appeared cracked so replaced it by rubber brake hose). Master Cylinder changed last year.

Problem is I can't lock the wheels when I stomped on the brakes (and thought I should be able to), although I can't recall if they were always like that. Brake pedal feels hard, no sponginess, and brakes do eventually stop the car but I think not as abruptly or fast as they should. And I don't think as quickly as would be needed in an emergency...

So I suspected the Power Booster. Just replaced it and bled all brakes. No difference. Could the green pads be the problem? Do they not grip tight unless they're pretty hot?

Out of Options...
Thanks
Marmeister