Mr.Ted
Well-Known Member
I just had brakes installed and I still have a real soft pedal. I thought when I did that I would have a better feeling brake pedal. Any ideas or suggestions? This is on a 98 Expedition 4x4 ,5.4 engine EB
Soft brake pedal
- Thread starter Mr.Ted
- Start date
Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.
1955moose
Full Access Members
- Joined
- Nov 23, 2014
- Posts
- 5,981
- Reaction score
- 1,338
Well I, and others here could throw out our diagnosis, but according to your opening statement, you stated you had them installed, vs you doing them, correct? If someone else did them let them redo, what they screwed up on. But let's get down to basics. If you now have a spongy pedal, theirs air introduced into your hydraulic system. Brake calipers rarely leak, although possible. My guess is either they ruptured the master cylinder seal or you've got air that somehow got in the brake system. If it was a shop, shame on them for releasing your vehicle this way. If you did the job, do a full inspection first, hoses, calipers, master cylinder, all of it. Brake pads should be solid feel from the get go! It might be as simple as bleeding all 4 wheels, and the master, or it might be a little more intense.
Sent from my N9131 using Tapatalk
Sent from my N9131 using Tapatalk
Mr.Ted
Well-Known Member
I did have someone to install them because Iam 76 years old it hard for me to get down and around, how ever the pedal was soft before the new pads were put on and I thought by putting new pads on that I would have a better pedal.The lines were never open to get air in them. The master cylinder is full.
1955moose
Full Access Members
- Joined
- Nov 23, 2014
- Posts
- 5,981
- Reaction score
- 1,338
OK let's do auto 101 basics. A hydraulic brake system will have a solid pedal with little to no sponginess, as long as system is purged of all air, and all lines, calipers, and all items like master cylinder are in sound condition. When you start your vehicle a normal functioning system pedal will drop some, and pedal will have a softer feel than pushing on pedal with engine off. That's because of the brake booster in the system. That being said, if you're pedal has a spongy, or soft feel, you most likely have a failing master cylinder, a leaking hose, or a leaking caliper. That last one is rare, unless the pads were allowed to run down so far that the piston came out so far that it *****, and falls out. What gets me is the mechanic installed your pads without doing an inspection, or asking any questions, like how do the brakes feel? Are they spongy, does pedal pulsate at speed. Installing new pads will not stop a spongy pedal. I'd take it to another shop that is knowledgeable in brakes, particularly antilock brakes.
Sent from my N9131 using Tapatalk
Sent from my N9131 using Tapatalk
Funny this should come up today. First off the brake pedal on my 2003 XLT is WAY softer than my 2014. My 2014 is a tight machine. Second, I tested the pedal today because after I did brakes a couple years ago ... I could push the pedal right to the floor. I kind of ignored it even though it made me nervous. So I tested it today (after 2+ years) and it pushes in a distance then stops like I think it ought to, doesnt go to floor. I have had other brake work done in between (rubber hoses, one caliper, parking brake.
Similar threads
