soft brakes

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Apr 28, 2008 | 04:35 PM

wmiller

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From: North East, MD

soft brakes

My brakes have felt soft for a while and feels like the rear aren't grabbing. I've adjusted several times no luck. If I pump the brakes a little they seem to grab much better. Could there be an air leak? Where should i look first. The resivoure hasn't droped any

Apr 28, 2008 | 04:51 PM

Cuda_jim

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From: MICHIGAN

I would guess the master cylinder has gone bad if you are sure you are not loosing fluid.

Apr 28, 2008 | 07:52 PM

wmiller

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From: North East, MD

any easy way to test?

Apr 29, 2008 | 04:33 AM

Cuda_jim

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From: MICHIGAN

I would start by disassembling and inspecting the rear brakes. Look for fluid leaks and/or brake hardware damage. A leaking axle seal can cause your symptoms too. BTW: I'm assuming you have drum brakes in the rear?

Apr 29, 2008 | 12:00 PM

wmiller

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From: North East, MD

you assumed right i have drums and there are no apparent leaks anywhere around the brake assembely

Apr 29, 2008 | 03:38 PM

Cuda_jim

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From: MICHIGAN

If you have a leaking axle seal...may not show up for a while. You might smell it though...nasty diff fluid. If there are no leaks and no damaged brake hardware then the master cyl is probably bad.

Apr 29, 2008 | 06:55 PM

PAVEMENTMAN

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I would also say master cylinder if theres no leaks.

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Apr 30, 2008 | 11:53 AM

wmiller

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From: North East, MD

the drums are about a month old so no problem there. The old ones had crack around the outside edge. After pumping the pedle bleeds down but not real fast maybe 10-15sec

Apr 30, 2008 | 12:50 PM

#10

tjbeggs

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From: Silver Lake Dunes, MI

The bleed down is common Its the vacuum booster. There is a no bleed down booster out if you want to fix that. But if the pedal truely is soft it could be MC, air or adjustment.

Apr 30, 2008 | 12:58 PM

#11

Neal 97 250

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From: Johnson City, TN.

My bet is master cylinder also. Could be booster.

Apr 30, 2008 | 01:39 PM

#12

RÖENTGEEP

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From: Celaya, Gto. MX

Quote:

Originally Posted by wmiller

the drums are about a month old so no problem there. The old ones had crack around the outside edge. After pumping the pedle bleeds down but not real fast maybe 10-15sec

I suppose you also changed the brake pads?, are they the same material as the olds ones?. The problem began with the change of the drums?