Brake Pedal: Travel Vs. Drag

[IAN]

I recently did some brake work and did bled everything today using a motive power bleeder. I pushed about a 1/2 gallon through the system. Pedal seems firm.

Questions:

I notice some different theories on brake pedal travel.

Some people seem to like to remove the pads and then slowly advance the pistons by slightly pressing the brake peddle to the point where the pads need to be tapped in with a hammer. This method eliminates a lot of pedal travel. But it also creates a bit of drag.

How much resistance is too much? I have the pads pretty snug against the rotors now because I was trying to reduce pedal travel. Now I'm wondering if they are too snug and it takes too much resistance to turn the wheel.

Any thoughts on the issue?

[Oh Haha]

Did you replace the caliper seals?

New seals will retract more than well worn ones so the pedal feel can change after some miles.

Unless your pads are completely clamping down on the rotor and not retracting, the movement of the car will wear them down in a few miles so it's a moot point.

My Protege had a sticking caliper to the point that you could feel it slowing the car when coasting.