I put on new calipers, new "High end" pads and my brakes have gone worse. Comming down a hill, ( our town is one big hill) if i have to ride them for 5-10 seconds. They just fade away to nothing. If i stop, they smell like a big semi with their brakes on fire....If they stay cold, they seem to work fine. If i have used them a bit, i tend to jump out when i stop and smell them. The only time i get that bad burnt brake pad smell is when i feel them fade away........Could it be bad pads? The calipers were rebuilt ones, could they be bad?

 

where did you get your pads, what brand are they, etc.

 

adjust the rear brakes.........do the rear brake cylinder upgrade

 

I bought them from Lordco ( Jobber Store) , they were like retail $130 ( he said top of the line) If all it is adjusting the rear brakes , did i wreck the front ones by overheating them maybe?

 

It sounds like the rears are not doing their fair share. Have you checked or adjusted the rears? Did you get new rotors in the front along with the new calipers and pads?

 

The drum brake dodges are known for doing nothing! I had a 99 and never ever put brakes on it. I've heard that the slave cylinder upgrade helps a lot (as should adjusting the shoes).

On the front brakes, I always get the cheapest ones that still have a warranty. They wear out much faster but seem to grip a lot better. Think of it like soft tires - better grip, no life. The regular parts stores (oreillys, autozone, etc) will replace brake pads for free if they have a warranty!

 

Hopefully get time get it up on jackstands today. I replaced the rotors last year, im hoping they should be fine...

 

Did you 'set' the pads after install?

Do a search on this and check it out, there's a few knowledgable brake guys chiming in on the threads...

 

Set the pads? I have no idea what that means..... Any links you could point me out to?

 

Setting the pads is simply, after installing, take it for a mild drive and give it a few moderate stops from about 50 to almost zero without coming to a full stop before parking. This will do what they call "setting the pads". Some have a far more scientific version of what they think is right too but if you dont do something of the sort then the pads can glaze. This is why you're not supposed to put new pads on unturned old rotors too. So they can set together.