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Kia Sephia Weak Brakes ~ Solved the Mystery!

63K views 69 replies 6 participants last post by  Loyale 2.7 Turbo 
#1 ·
There is a Fact: The Second Gen (1998~2001) Kia Sephia (Like my Wife's Model) has Weak Brakes and Suffers from Premature front Brake Wear. I Noticed the Weak Brakes since we obtained the Car.

I investigated further on the Subject on Internet and I Found that the Problem was so generalized that it ended in the Court, with Lawsuits against Kia, in some cities of USA.

I'm Lawyer, so I spent Hours and Hours Reading Documentation on-line, Such Like the Following:
(Each one is a clickable a Link to a Website)

"Judge Certifies Class Action Suit for Kia Sephia Owners"

"KIA SEPHIA BRAKE PROBLEMS AND CLASS ACTION"

"New Jersey's Court Desicions in the Subject"


Could you Believe that there are some Websites entirely dedicated to that issue?

"Facebook Page for the Sephia's Defective Brakes"

http://kiasephiadefectivebrakes.com/

Well, some of the Lawsuits says: (Source: Kia Sephia Brake Defects Promote Class Action Lawsuits in PA and NJ)

Consumers Suffer Brake Defects in 1998, 1999, 2000 Kia Sephias; Class Action Suits Filed in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, More than 166,000 Automobiles Could Be Affected
So, the Problem is a Fact that I Needed to Solve ASAP, but after Weeks Reading many Documents, seems like no one found the Answer of "Why" that Happens and "How" to fix that problem; they only talk about the weakness of the Brakes and the Front Rotors' Warp plus premature wear.
 
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#64 ·
The rotors had a superficial rust film, otherwise everything was immaculate; I cleansed everything and regreased all the ends of the Axles and Hubs; also changed the rubber boots that were torn and I was ready for the Upgraded Brakes' Retrofitting :thumbsup:
 
#65 ·
I removed off the Old Hubs still with everything attached,

Notice their small size and the holes all around the base for the wheel...





...Then I installed the New Hubs along everything.

Notice their increased size and no holes around their base.



Also, the bolts on the Upgraded Brakes' Calipers, are way much thicker and can be held with regular Nº 14 wrenches, while the smaller calipers on the old hubs, required Nº 7 hexagonal wrenches... among other improvements.
 
#66 ·
Also, I had to Obtain new Brake Pads, which have nearly twice the rubbing area than the old ones; this new ones has almost the same rubbing area than a 2012 Sorento's Pads, little less, which is Big for a little sedan...




Some months ago, I painted all the four calipers and brake parts on the "KiaStein" with high temp, red enamel; so, as the rear calipers were Red, I had to paint this new front ones in same Red, to match the rear ones...



Then, after Bleeding completely the system three times in a cross-pattern, with the Help of my Wife; I took the "KiaStein" for a Test-Ride to the Mountains' Roads.
 
#67 ·
Thanks to God, everything is Successful !!!

SUCCESS!!!

I've never drove a vehicle with such braking power, using little pedal force to completely stop, in a straight line; no matter if the road is paved, gravel or unpaved road.

Finally, the KiaStein features the awesome Braking system that I always wanted, it doesn't lock the wheels easily, and lets you maneuver correctly, during panic braking.

And the Best part: my Wife is Happy with her car's Behaviour.
Thanks to God.

Kind Regards.
 
#68 ·
So, this is the way to go: if you swap rear disc brakes on your second gen Sephia / first gen Spectra, those will be 10.1" so you Must swap the front disc brakes from the donor car also, in order to have same sized 10.1" front discs too, not the lousy 9" in front ... the Brakes works Awesomely with 10.1" all around in the four corners.

Don't touch the master cylinder at all. :shades:

Kind Regards.
 
#69 ·
important notice

Even in this year (2019) the Lawsuit against Kia, from 2001 regarding this Defective Brakes, is not over... yet, you can read further information on the Subject, on the following web link:

~► https://www.carcomplaints.com/news/2018/kia-sephia-brake-pad-lawsuit.shtml

Also, I saved a screenshot from the above linked web page, in case it disappears, see Below.

Kind Regards.
 

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#70 ·
Disclaimer

The purpose of this thread is to help to the second gen Kia Sephia owners, to understand the reason why there were brake problems with this model, how they occurs and how to resolve them, in case you want to keep this car and drive it, safely.

Everything is explained in the first posts, then you can read about my efforts and how I completely solved all the issues, in an easy way, using alternative factory parts.

Disclaimer: Use ALL the information I share at your own risk, do not attempt to do any repair nor swap any part, if you do not have enough experience with this, nor enough mechanical skills. I am not suggesting nor recommending you to do what I did. Under no circumstances shall I be liable for any actions taken or omissions made from reliance on any information contained on any post that I've shared on any web forum and other media; nor shall I be liable for any other consequences from any misuse you might do with the information and photos that I share.

All graphics, images and photos I share online are my property and are free to share, as long as you preserve their watermark.

Always read this thread completely, in order to understand clearly everything.

Kind Regards and Blessings.

JesZeK
 
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