Brakes release slow

emorale3

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Ok so my car ever since new has always seemed to be really sluggish at releasing the brakes after pressing on them. I never paid attention to it until i drove a friends mustang gt and his does not do it. This is what it does, When im driving around and press the brake somewhat hard, it takes about a second or two (mississipi seconds) to fully release the brakes , then the car begins to roll freely. I also notice this when backing into my garage, ill press the brake and can see the brake lights on the garage wall. I notice that the brake lights do not turn off until about 2 seconds after i release my foot off the pedal. My friends car releases immediately and you can feel it when driving, as well as the brake lights turning off immediately after releasing the pedal. It feels as if the brakes release EXTRA SLOW on my car. What could cause this? Its always done it since brand new. It has never been issue to me but now it kinda bothers me because my friends car which is the same as mine ( my 09gt vs his 05gt) does not do that.
 

stkjock

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did you do a visual inspection on the pedal lever to make sure it was clear of obstruction?
 

emorale3

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Yes i did. theres nothing there that seems to be abnormal or in the way..Could this be the master cylinder??
 

94tbird

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sounds liek the brake caliper bolts may be sticking. i have the same issue with one of mine right now.
 

emorale3

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oh really, well I guess ima try lubing the caliper bolts and if it helps..its been doing it though since it was brand new..
 

mot250

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Also check that the front pads have the little wire spring in each end. They rest on the outside if the caliper mounting bracket. They help pull the pad away from the rotor once you release the pedal. It seems odd that you would have enough o the missing or broke to cause a problem, however.
 

Ampire

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One of the car's I owned had rust develop on the caliper pins because the rubber boot that sits over the pin pulled back and the grease came out. I fixed it by removing the pin, steel-wooling the pin and repacking it with grease.
 

skwerl

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If it has done it since brand new then it could be something not done correctly on the assembly line. I'd do a thorough front to back inspection and figure out where the problem is. Do all four brakes hang up or just one axle, or just one wheel? The answer to that will narrow down where in the system the problem is.
 

emorale3

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I havnt had a chance but i am going to check out the simple things first, Im gonna check out the caliper pins and grease them see if that helps
 

emorale3

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If it has done it since brand new then it could be something not done correctly on the assembly line. I'd do a thorough front to back inspection and figure out where the problem is. Do all four brakes hang up or just one axle, or just one wheel? The answer to that will narrow down where in the system the problem is.
This is also my best guess, that something was done incorrectly on the assembly line or maybe a defective part, since its always done this since i got the car brand new. At first i thought is was just normal for some reason, didnt think much of it, until i drove another gt just like mine. It was way different. I could slam on the brakes, and as soon as i let off it instantly released and could immediately feel the car rolling freely, mine drag for about 2 seconds till the car rolls freely. I couldnt find anything by searching on this site, so im guessing this is not common at all
 

Ampire

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This is also my best guess, that something was done incorrectly on the assembly line or maybe a defective part, since its always done this since i got the car brand new. At first i thought is was just normal for some reason, didnt think much of it, until i drove another gt just like mine. It was way different. I could slam on the brakes, and as soon as i let off it instantly released and could immediately feel the car rolling freely, mine drag for about 2 seconds till the car rolls freely. I couldnt find anything by searching on this site, so im guessing this is not common at all

I know you said the brake lights are on so its probably not the handbrake, but even so is it possible the handbrake is sticking?
 

emorale3

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I know you said the brake lights are on so its probably not the handbrake, but even so is it possible the handbrake is sticking?
I dont think so, unless the hand brake has something to do with when you press the brake pedal. Im not sure though
 

skwerl

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No, it isn't the hand brake. I would suspect the master cylinder, the brake booster or most likely a blockage in the main line somewhere. Possibly some slag at a fitting or connection.

The easiest first step (although not the cheapest) would be to replace the master cylinder.
 

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