Soft Brakes
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 233
Likes: 1
From: Acworth GA
Soft Brakes
The brakes on my 01 seem to have very soft pedal feel to me. The car is fairly new to me, but I don't recall having an issue with my 97. With the engine off the brakes pump up and feel fine. With the engine running the brake initially feel ok, but as you keep pressure on the pedal you can feel it gradually bottom out. It doesn't throw any codes or cause drivability problems. We did bleed the brakes with the tech 2, but same result. Could this be a problem with a circuit in the ABS?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
sounds like some new brake pads and new brake fluid are needed.
soft brakes in many cases are from tappered brake pads, old brake fluid, air in the lines.
when you bleed the brakes did you do a full brake fluid flush without letting the MC go dry?
if you did, to it again after you change the brake pads to some new, non ceramic brake pads.
soft brakes in many cases are from tappered brake pads, old brake fluid, air in the lines.
when you bleed the brakes did you do a full brake fluid flush without letting the MC go dry?
if you did, to it again after you change the brake pads to some new, non ceramic brake pads.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,937
Likes: 21
From: Waldorf MD
How many miles on it? I know pad life depends on use, but 45,000 miles is normal life.
I strongly recommend HAWK HPS pads if you are going to replace them. Little dust and stop better than ZO6 pads.
I strongly recommend HAWK HPS pads if you are going to replace them. Little dust and stop better than ZO6 pads.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 233
Likes: 1
From: Acworth GA
The fluid is new, and the system has been bled several times. The master cylinder appears to be solid with no leaks. The pedal initially holds, but then as pressure is kept constant, like at a stop sign, the pedal starts to sinks. It almost feels like the a brake line rupturing, normal at first, but when pressure is lost it sinks to the floor.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
The fluid is new, and the system has been bled several times. The master cylinder appears to be solid with no leaks. The pedal initially holds, but then as pressure is kept constant, like at a stop sign, the pedal starts to sinks. It almost feels like the a brake line rupturing, normal at first, but when pressure is lost it sinks to the floor.
2nd have you noticed any fluid drips under the car by the wheels?
3rd The only time I have felt this as you describe is when someone has done an incomplete brake bleed. There is still some air in the lines. This happens when the bleed screw on the caliper is closed when the fluid is not coming out. This sucks some air back into the caliper. The bleed screw should be closed, when fluid is flowing through the valves.
4th. you may have caliper spread.
Take you brake pads out and check for pad tapper. Thicker on one side of the pad vs the other side. If you do have pad tapper, time for new calipers as they have spread apart.
I have never used a tech II for brake bleeding. Use the Motive power bleeder with 18-20 psi of pressure.
