Pins and bushings for the floating half of the front caliper are shot. Probably clanks on bumps, too.

At least replace the pins and bushings, both sides. If there is still play in the caliper floating side (it should move ONLY straight in and out), replace the caliper.

Put new pads in, obviously.

Soft pedal is because the floating caliper is moving sideways.

If the caliper is OK, the pads weren't installed properly (or were the wrong pads) -- on the floating calipers up front, the two little "ears" are springs, must fit under the sides of the slot in the caliper to hold the pads down. If they got cocked, the pad might have been sideways instead of seating in the correct position, only had pressure applied to one end instead of the whole back. It should sit right up against the outer side, flat. If it gets one end up on the side of the slot, there will only be pressure on that end, not the whole face when you step on the brakes.

If the wrong pad was used, it might be too long to fit, leaving one end out of the slot.

I always seat the outer (floating) pad and pump the brakes back up before re-installing the wheel to prevent that outer pad going sideways.

Peter

__________________
1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!