Hello Everyone,

I'm curious on the brake pedal is supposed to feel once depressed. Mine feels like its soft to light feel 1/4 of the way down and medium feel after that. Car stops fine and with good grip, but I I would think it would "catch" earlier in the throw and harder has it catches. I've owned my XJ8 for 2.5 months and I bought it with it feeling this way.

Recently I discovered a leak in the passenger rear caliper, so I took the chance to do a brake overhaul.. Replaced the passenger rear caliper and the rotors/pads all the way around. Afterwards we bled the brakes

1st Time: My brother bled the brakes with his wife doing the typical two person method. pump/hold brake pedal, open bleeder, let brake pedal sink a bit, close bleeder and repeat in the following order: right rear, left rear, right front, left front. He did follow the special bleed procedure on the new caliper found in the service manual.

Pedal feel felt too soft for me, so.....

2nd Time: Redid the entire procedure again with my brother. (Less the special bleed procedure for the new caliper)

Pedal still felt too soft for my taste

3rd Time: Bought a Motive Pressure Bleeder. Pressure Bled the entire system again and redid the special bleed procedure for the new caliper. I also made sure to keep the bleeders in the 12 o'clock procedure.

Pedal still feel too soft for my taste.

I'm not sure of this is the typical feel for these cars or possibly a Master cylinder issue? I'm curious on your thoughts or experience in this issue.

Thanks so much.

 

Mine feels similar. I ended up re-doing my brakes because of a sticky caliper and bled all 4 brakes once I was done. Car stops but similar to you it feels like the pedal goes down a tad too far. For me personally as long as it stops, there is no air in the line, and no leaks, I am okay with it.

 

I've owned my 2004 VDP for close to 4 years now and the brakes have been the same as you described, a bit soft, but the car stopping distance seem to be fine and comparable to my other cars. I was waiting until I've had to do a brake job to see if things were going to change.

 

Thank you for your input! It makes me feel a little better knowing that others experience the same brake feel..

Im going to live w it for now since the car does stop fine and hopefully I get used to it. The new pads and rotors definitely did help w the grip and stopping power.