</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">Originally posted by NoMo:
<strong>Thanks for the bit of clarification. Just want to make sure your brakes are working properly. They are kind of important. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />

It's definitely not unusual for the rear pads to out-last the fronts. Most proportioning valves are set to around 65/35 (%front/%rear) fluid distribution. But I've seen bad valves and clogged lines that caused almost all of the braking to be done by the front. It's difficult to notice this under daily driving conditions.

Also, with my ever-so-slight aggressive driving style <img border="0" alt="[Pirate]" title="" src="graemlins/bppirate.gif" /> I've crystalized a few relatively new pads. With used vehicles, I think it's especially important to check everything and not just assume that pad thickness means that everything is "OK". Who knows? It might be my old car you've just bought! <img border="0" alt="[Drunk]" title="" src="graemlins/drunk.gif" /> </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">I'm just the opposite. I'm a brake's best friend. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" /> Because I do alot of highway driving and I downshift. I just went back and looked at my service record which I keep on a spreadsheet.

I replaced the original factory front pads at 56649 miles. I replaced them with good OEM pads.
No work was done on the rotors.

At 81581 miles I noticed some front brake chatter. I couldn't get the rotors off so I took it in. The rotors were slightly warped plus were worn below spec so they were replaced. It was at that time that the rear brakes were checked (Geez...that long ago?). The front brake pads were still good so they were retained.

Right now at 98K miles I have some brake chatter again. So what I'm going to do as soon as I get some time is replace the pads and the rotors myself with possibly Raybestos rotors.

So...given that Sportages are notorious for chewing up front brake pads and rotors I think I've gotten real good service. And I would think if my brake proportioning front to back was whacked out I would have seen more rapid wear in the front. Hasn't happen.

<small>[ July 02, 2003, 05:16 PM: Message edited by: Axe Man ]</small>

she's almost at 126k so we'll see how they look when I pop them open

Went and got a decent jack(4 ton hydraulic bottle jack) and a little set of chocks.

I think the stock jack is made for looks cause it was a pain in the butt to actually use on the front breaks.

gotta wait on the brake shoes either need a new tool or the big guys muscles... <img border="0" alt="[Mr.T]" title="" src="graemlins/mrt.gif" />
cause I'm too little to break the lugs loose myself <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="images/icons/tongue.gif" />

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">Originally posted by Axe Man:
<strong>I'm just the opposite. I'm a brake's best friend. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" /> Because I do alot of highway driving and I downshift.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">I used to do a lot of "gear braking". Then I realized it's easier to change brake pads than replace clutches. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

Hope I can get the kind of mileage you've gotten out of both. But, between my heavy right foot & mix of city/highway, I doubt it.

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">Originally posted by NoMo:
<strong> </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">Originally posted by Axe Man:
<strong>I'm just the opposite. I'm a brake's best friend. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" /> Because I do alot of highway driving and I downshift.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">I used to do a lot of "gear braking". Then I realized it's easier to change brake pads than replace clutches. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

Hope I can get the kind of mileage you've gotten out of both. But, between my heavy right foot & mix of city/highway, I doubt it.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">I suppose. But so far...knock on wood (knocking on my head <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="images/icons/wink.gif" /> ) the clutch is fine. <img border="0" alt="[Drunk]" title="" src="graemlins/drunk.gif" />

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">Originally posted by Axe Man:
<strong> </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">Originally posted by tlabonte2001:
<strong>I checked my rear brakes about a month ago, and they did infact look brand new. As a matter of fact they have looked brand new for about 3 years now. I dont think they have been changed since I bought the Sortage in the begining of 99 (leftover).Thay have no ware at all.

So I ask you, How do I adjust the rear brakes. I know they need to be adjusted because when I start to drive in reverse or in forward I can hear them slap something (other metal). It dont doo it while I'm driving or when I stop, just when I start to move.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">They are self adjusting brakes when you back up. Under normal circumstances they don't have to be adjusted manually.

One good indicator if they are working OK: If your parking brake holds and it's not all the way to the top of it's throw then you should be OK.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">So then why do I have to change my front pads every single year at inspection time(I check and replace myself) and I have never even had to touch the rear shoes. They look damn near brand new. I just dont understand. Oh yea, My parking brake holds perfectly fine. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Confused]" src="images/icons/confused.gif" />

humm...is it the breaks you are hearing?
or is it the same slop that most people hear in the rear end that sounds like worn u-joint...

but is apparently normal on the kia????

seems it may be they same

I dont know actually, I guess I'll just wait until something breaks.

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">Originally posted by tlabonte2001:
<strong> </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">Originally posted by Axe Man:
<strong> </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">Originally posted by tlabonte2001:
<strong>I checked my rear brakes about a month ago, and they did infact look brand new. As a matter of fact they have looked brand new for about 3 years now. I dont think they have been changed since I bought the Sortage in the begining of 99 (leftover).Thay have no ware at all.

So I ask you, How do I adjust the rear brakes. I know they need to be adjusted because when I start to drive in reverse or in forward I can hear them slap something (other metal). It dont doo it while I'm driving or when I stop, just when I start to move.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">They are self adjusting brakes when you back up. Under normal circumstances they don't have to be adjusted manually.

One good indicator if they are working OK: If your parking brake holds and it's not all the way to the top of it's throw then you should be OK.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">So then why do I have to change my front pads every single year at inspection time(I check and replace myself) and I have never even had to touch the rear shoes. They look damn near brand new. I just dont understand. Oh yea, My parking brake holds perfectly fine. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Confused]" src="images/icons/confused.gif" /> </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">Well, are you using factory brake pads as replacements? Don't...they suck. Use a better grade OEM pad.

And...maybe your brake proportioning IS way off and you're never using the rear brakes. See the discussion above.

Since I havent changed them myself then I would have to assume that they are factory shoes on the rear. The fronts are that weaver or wearever or something along that nature. I did get new ones for the rear (Bendix) but I havent changed them because they look new, They look like they were just put on (but they weren't).

Maybe I should just put the new ones on the rear anyway. I'm ascaredy cat though. Never done them before, to many parts. But even if I do put them on and take the time, whats to say that they will work better anyway. So there's no posible way to adjust them at all. I thought all brakes had an adjustment for the rear. Must be wrong though, never did that before either. Never had to.

...and the last time your brake fluid was well and truly changed was????

If the fluid or lines have any contaminants in them (especially the long runs on the rear lines) the performance of the fluid will degrade in and around the rear brake cylinders due to heat, causing the "softness" of the rear brakes that you describe. Might be worth 20 bucks (3-4 bottles) worth of brake fluid and an "In! - Out!" afternoon of frustration and boredom to try clean the crap out of the lines.