Brakes keep getting mushy
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Northeast
Brakes keep getting mushy
I recently replaced some rear brake lines and one wheel cylinder on my 88 f150 super cab. The brakes felt great for a week then started to get soft. I bled them again and they were good for a week again. I've done this 3 times.
They're getting air somewhere, Anybody have any ideas about if it's my fittings or the wheeel cylinder?
They're getting air somewhere, Anybody have any ideas about if it's my fittings or the wheeel cylinder?
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,301
Likes: 1
From: Dededo, Guam
Brakes keep getting mushy
It sounds like your master cylinder is on its last legs. My f150 did the same thing. brakes would feel good then they got mushy. Kinda freaked me out the first time it happened.
You might want to try bleeding the brakes again. Get a 1- 1 1/2 foot long piece of CLEAR 3/8 in diameter rubber tubing. put one end on the relief valve, and the other in a clear jar 1/4 full of brake fluid. make sure the end of the line is in the fluid. hope this helps ya.
You might want to try bleeding the brakes again. Get a 1- 1 1/2 foot long piece of CLEAR 3/8 in diameter rubber tubing. put one end on the relief valve, and the other in a clear jar 1/4 full of brake fluid. make sure the end of the line is in the fluid. hope this helps ya.
New User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Shamong USA
Brakes keep getting mushy
i had the same problem on a taurus that came into the shop one day. we popped the hood and as it turns out, the owner must have lost the cap to the brake fluid reservior, so in their infinate wisdom replaced it with a piece of tinfoil and a rubber band.
i really doubt this has anything to do with your problem, but its just funny.
but the air in the brakes thing may be your proportioning valve. i know when they start to go bad, you get similar symptoms.
i really doubt this has anything to do with your problem, but its just funny.
but the air in the brakes thing may be your proportioning valve. i know when they start to go bad, you get similar symptoms.
Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
Brakes keep getting mushy
I pulled much hair out a month ago over same condition. Replaced rear wheel cylinders and pads and brakes needed to be bled every couple of days after that. I finally found the problem at the master cylinder. Have someone put a lot of pressure on the brake pedal and feel for fluid eveywhere there is a fitting. Mine was leaking at the rear brake line coming out of the master cylinder. Just a small leak under hard pressure. I guess when I let off the brake it would suck air in there. Tightened the #$%$@ out of that line and it was fixed. It must be a very small leak in the system.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 1,577
Likes: 0
From: Southern MD
Trending Topics
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 183
Likes: 0
From: michigan
sounds like your sucking in air somewhere prob like that one guy said when braking hard, prolly a slight leak at fitting or pinhole in the line. Maybe even a over flexed rubber flex hose, but that would mean the brakes would always be spongy and not just after a couple weeks. The replacement wheel cylinders are also pretty cheap and poorly made and may be faulty from the factory. Worst case scenario its your master cylinder thats leaking or shot, or abs hydra. unit is leaking or shot . If you didnt already bleed the front brakes first then bleed at the abs unit(if equipped) and then the rear just to be sure of no trapped air in the line. For all you out there use two people when bleeding and start with the wheel closest to master cylinder first and thereon.booooya
S.N could also be a bad seal on master cylinder cap.
S.N could also be a bad seal on master cylinder cap.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 183
Likes: 0
From: michigan
sounds like your sucking in air somewhere prob like that one guy said when braking hard, prolly a slight leak at fitting or pinhole in the line. Maybe even a over flexed rubber flex hose, but that would mean the brakes would always be spongy and not just after a couple weeks. The replacement wheel cylinders are also pretty cheap and poorly made and may be faulty from the factory. Worst case scenario its your master cylinder thats leaking or shot, or abs hydra. unit is leaking or shot . If you didnt already bleed the front brakes first then bleed at the abs unit(if equipped) and then the rear just to be sure of no trapped air in the line. For all you out there use two people when bleeding and start with the wheel closest to master cylinder first and thereon.booooya
S.N could also be a bad seal on master cylinder cap.
S.N could also be a bad seal on master cylinder cap.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
66F100Again
1961 - 1966 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
12
Mar 9, 2007 03:36 AM
dbarracuda
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
4
Dec 3, 2001 12:07 PM
