Brake pedal is extremely hard?

2008 HONDA CIVIC

164,213 MILES • 1.8L • 4 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC

ORABUENA95

MEMBER
2 POSTS

The brake pedal is extremely hard, brakes were changed recently. When braking, the brake pedal has to be forced down in order to stop instead of using the normal amount of force on a brake pedal. When at stops with brake pedal depressed the car would stall but start back up with no issue. Happens randomly not all the time. Would get a p0171 code but code would clear itself.

Apr 11, 2024 at 9:19 AM

STRAILER

✓ASE Certified Mechanic
54,832 POSTS

The p0171 code and stalling is a separate issue so please make a new post for it. If the brakes were fine before the brake pad replacement, then the new brake pads are too hard and do not stop the car, "lifetime brake pads" are like this. I would get a new set of pads, semi metallic, not ceramic and install them. Here is how to install the brake pads correctly. Check out the images (below). Let us know how it goes.

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Apr 11, 2024 at 11:59 AM

ORABUENA95

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Would a bad brake booster cause this? Saw videos on how to test by lightly depressing pedal with car running then turning car off. The pedal shouldn't rise back up within 30 seconds or so if it instantly rises it's a bad booster. The pedal to the car instantly rises up after turning on the car.

Apr 11, 2024 at 4:43 PM

STRAILER

✓ASE Certified Mechanic
54,832 POSTS

Yes, the booster can cause this issue. If you start the car and then shut it off, then remove the booster vacuum check valve, you should hear a woosh sound as vacuum escapes. If not the booster is bad, here is how to change it out. Check out the images (below). Please let us know what happens.

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Apr 12, 2024 at 5:48 PM