DI Brakes Just Not Good Enough

RBBailey

Well-known member
Jul 26, 2004
6,758
3
Oregon
www.flickr.com
So I replaced the master, bled the system, then re-bled the next day just to be sure. But I just cannot be satisfied with how they are working.

Plenty of pad/rotor life left, especially up front. Pads have no abnormal wear. Everything is clean. There do not seem to be any loose wheel bearings. But all I can say is that the brakes simply don't grab. If I press medium/light on the pedal, I get the same response as if I really slam my foot down.

What should be my next step before taking it to a professional?
 

gthphotography

Well-known member
Aug 27, 2008
317
3
chicago
www.greghanrahan.com
I hate to offer this up, but at some point you're gonna have to put new pads and rotors.
If you've done the master and bled correctly, there only some much you can replace, like the lines.
I will say, that my original brakes were the best and every pair after have had a squishy feel that always left me wanting more.
But this last time I bled and bled and bed the brakes and now they're pretty good. Still not the same as factory new.
 

gthphotography

Well-known member
Aug 27, 2008
317
3
chicago
www.greghanrahan.com
Yeah. Both can swell internally, giving soft to no brakes. That's why I asked.
Yup. It helped a little with mine, but what really did it this time was using the nanocom to bleed the system completely.
I also use EBC Greenstuff brakes with dimpled and slotted rotors.
Ferodos I burned through, original as well.
I just watched a really good video about how brake pads are made and that you basically get what you pay for.
 

XCELLER8

Well-known member
Sep 21, 2009
249
12
it may sound unlikely but , one wheel at a time....remove the pads and see that the pistons actually come out of the caliper when you push on the brake pedal.....Iv'e had several of mine sieze up and only move slightly until I freed them up
 

RBBailey

Well-known member
Jul 26, 2004
6,758
3
Oregon
www.flickr.com
I did rebuild a caliper many moons ago (like 15 years) on a DI I had, so I suppose it could be frozen cylinders, but I would think the pads would wear unevenly if that were the case. So far, I don't see that happening.

I may try new lines.
 

WaltNYC

Well-known member
Mar 3, 2010
707
135
NYC
upgrade to D110 calipers and solid rotors. should be a direct replacement. larger pads and larger pistons. (note: NOT the D90 which has vented rotors)
 
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Tugela

Well-known member
May 21, 2007
4,754
561
Seattle
upgrade to D110 calipers and solid rotors.

I did this (along with stainless brake lines) and have been satisfied with the results. The pedal feel is softer but the stopping power is better. This is a worthwhile upgrade, but it doesn't answer the question of why the OP's stock brakes aren't up to scratch. It would be useful to find the source of that problem.
 

markwemple

Banned
Sep 9, 2019
301
17
Maryland
Actually, pads that need heat are high performance pads. Opposite of crappy. My race car's pads are down right scary on the warm up lap. I need to get some real heat in them. Just watch F1. Their brakes aren't up to real working temps until they are glowing.
 

Jimmy

Well-known member
Apr 10, 2006
740
64
Aurora, CO
Actually, pads that need heat are high performance pads. Opposite of crappy. My race car's pads are down right scary on the warm up lap. I need to get some real heat in them. Just watch F1. Their brakes aren't up to real working temps until they are glowing.

Crappy for the purpose of regular driving, which is what is being discussed here.
 

markwemple

Banned
Sep 9, 2019
301
17
Maryland
Crappy for the purpose of regular driving, which is what is being discussed here.

Unless you intentionally warm up your bakes. Yeah, great for a race car but not the best for a street truck. Just trying to be clear as racing brakes are insanely good at stopping, just not when cold.
 

Tugela

Well-known member
May 21, 2007
4,754
561
Seattle
110? DO you mean off of a Defender 110?

Correct. Also, "racing" and "Land Rover" aren't usually compatible concepts. If you want to talk Bowlers, that's something else altogether, but we're talking factory brakes on factory trucks.
 
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