My front Ekar brake has very little stopping power and I can’t figure out why. At first, I assumed it needed a bleed which I did. That didn’t help. Then I thought I’d try new pads. New pads are in. Brake still doesn’t work well.
When I squeeze the lever I can feel the pads contacting the rotor and they slow me down a bit but not nearly as well as the rear brake. If I squeeze the lever even harder, the rotor starts to squeal horribly. The brake doesn’t feel spongy, just ineffective.
I’ve checked the bolts on the caliper and the lock ring on the rotor. Everything is tight. I’ve bled plenty of brakes in my time so I don’t think it’s a bad bleed.
I would probably try and rule out a contaminated rotor as the next step. You can use some rotor cleaner or Isopropyl alcohol to give it a clean. A very light sanding and then another go with the alcohol should bring it back to “normal”.
Alternatively you can swap the rear rotor to the front temporarily (if they’re the same size) however I’d probably avoid this as it sounds like the relationship between your rear pads and rear rotor is a good one.
I’d be careful about cleaning the rotor and reusing the pads from the possibly contaminated rotor. Try to verify if the rotor is actually the issue. I probably would have cleaned the rotor before the new pads went on. Also verify you have the correct pads for the rotor, sometimes the material can make a difference.
Finally, once you have clean rotor and pads try to do a systematic bedding in to establish a good interface between pads and the rotor.
Not a specific thing about those brakes but I would just start over again with new pads AND new rotors. Cleaning/sanding the rotor has never been enough for me, even with new pads.
The lack of power and squealing noise you’re experiencing strongly suggests it’s a rotor/pad issue, and almost certainly contamination related. Check for leaks around the caliper, and then start fresh on the rotor and pads. Be sure to perform a bed-in.
I’ve just overcome a similar issue with GRX where the front brake was screaming at high pressure inputs. I took it out yesterday after wiping the rotor down with IPA, found a long hill and pulled the brakes long enough to generate heat and voila, the screaming disappeared and effective braking resumed.
Good luck, there is a solution, you just need to find it.
Partly, but arguably no more than Shimano (where piston leaks are also not uncommon).
I’d suggest finding a store with experience in Campagnolo that may know exactly how to diagnose such an issue. Buying new pads (again) and a rotor, to then learn there is a leak is very much throwing away money.