Hi Robin,
I’m sorry to hear the instructors are having issues with the brake performance.
If the brake is not stopping the vehicle quickly enough, the most common cause is usually an installation or alignment issue rather than a problem with the pedal itself. The SAFEDRIVE system works by mechanically pushing the vehicle’s factory brake pedal, so the alignment between the QuickConnect and the Brake Pulley Mount is very important. If those components are not aligned with the natural direction of the vehicle’s brake pedal movement, it can reduce braking force and responsiveness.
Usually, the biggest culprit for symptoms like this is excessive slack in the brake cable. What happens is when you press the SAFEDRIVE Brake, it will pull the slack out of the system first, then it will start applying the vehicle’s brake. Since the SAFEDRIVE Brake moves around 4 inches, if there is excessive slack, part of that movement is used just removing the slack instead of applying force to the vehicle’s brake pedal.
For example, if there is 1–2 inches of slack in the system, then only the remaining movement is actually being transferred to the vehicle’s factory brake pedal. This can result in the brake only being partially applied, which can make it feel like the vehicle is unable to stop quickly or come to a complete stop properly. To resolve this issue, you would loosen the QuickConnect where the cable is attached, pull some of the slack out of the system, then retighten the QuickConnect where the cable is secured between the two copper washers.
You do not want the cable too tight. If the cable is adjusted too tightly, it can slightly engage the vehicle’s brake pedal even when the SAFEDRIVE Brake is not being pressed. This can cause the vehicle’s brake lights to stay on and can also wear down the brake pads over time as the vehicle is lightly “riding the brakes.”
Having too much slack can cause the symptoms you are experiencing. Ideally, you want a very small amount of slack in the system, just enough that the cable can deflect approximately 1/2' when wiggled between the QuickConnect and the Brake Pulley Mount. If this is the issue you are experiencing, it is usually a very easy adjustment to correct.
If you can send a few pictures of the installation, especially around the driver-side brake pedal area and the QuickConnect/Pulley Mount alignment, I can take a closer look and help troubleshoot the issue further. I should be able to tell you the exact issue causing the symptoms and how to correct it.
You can email pictures to this email thread or text them to our support number at (708) 683-7618
We also have our installation instructions and installation video available on our support page. https://gosafedrive.com/pages/support
Please feel free to reach out with any questions.
-Alex
