Just purchased and 06 H3 and have concerns about the travel of the brake pedal before the brakes actually grab. I had an 04 Colorado before and would expect the feel of the brakes to be somewhat similar. I understand that the weight of the vehicle plays a big part of this but I really have to get on the pedal before they engage. I mentioned this to the dealer before the purchase and they said it was normal so I asked to test drive another H3 that they had on the lot and it had the same feel. It almost feels like trying to stop a vehicle that was built 50 years ago. Is this normal? How far should the pedal travel before the brakes engage? Thanks.

 

My brakes are great, on them and she stops. A good friend who is a mechanic once told me that brake pedal travel is determined by the rear brakes. I'm not sure how true this is but I'd look at rear pads first. Changing brake pads on the H3 is so easy, one of the easiest set of pads I've ever changed.

 

I would get a second opinion, if your not mechanically inclined than take it to a neutral garage... The pads or rotors or both may need to be replaced... Mine even w/ all the weight and being a 1st gen stops great! If I were to quote get on them I would be decapitated by the seat belt restraint lol...

 

My 08 Alpha's brakes require very little pressure to stop it.

 

same thing with my 08H3 breaks just need a little pressure works great!!!

 

Mine are great too, but then again I have new pads and changed my brake fluid to DOT5.

 

Yep, true that drtom, but we've been using DOT4 and 5 here on older cars, without any drawbacks.. 4 and 5 handle the heat much better than DOT3..Hence no fade and better pressure
I've had DOT5 in mine now for a few months and it's great..The H3 brakes like a car