Question regarding braking?
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Question regarding braking?
I have a 2005 Expedition recently purchased with 65,000 miles. I had the brakes done about 400 miles ago due to increased stopping distance, noise, vibration, etc. My question is that I am noticing that I have to depress the brake pedal quite a ways down before I really start to feel the vehicle braking. (hope this crude picture helps...
Normal pedal position - no pressure on pedal.
x
apply pressure to pedal (slowly increasing in pressure)
x
x
begin to feel resistance and notice the vehicle slowing down
x
x
x
Heavy braking occurs, and vehicle actually begins to stop.
x
x
x
pedal at full pressure, as far as it will go.
So I ask this because the expeditions that I drive at work stop on a dime as soon as the pedal is depressed, and this leads me to think that mine needs to be "adjusted". So can I fix this by bleeding out the brake lines and topping off fluids? I am afraid to say that I took it to a national chain to get the brakes done due to lack of time, and I am needless to say, not happy with the result or the service, and will not take it back. HELP.
Normal pedal position - no pressure on pedal.
x
apply pressure to pedal (slowly increasing in pressure)
x
x
begin to feel resistance and notice the vehicle slowing down
x
x
x
Heavy braking occurs, and vehicle actually begins to stop.
x
x
x
pedal at full pressure, as far as it will go.
So I ask this because the expeditions that I drive at work stop on a dime as soon as the pedal is depressed, and this leads me to think that mine needs to be "adjusted". So can I fix this by bleeding out the brake lines and topping off fluids? I am afraid to say that I took it to a national chain to get the brakes done due to lack of time, and I am needless to say, not happy with the result or the service, and will not take it back. HELP.
Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2009
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Bleed em
What did the shop do to your brakes? Was it just pads or did they replace anything else?
What you have sounds like either air in the system or a faulty master cylinder.
I'd bleed the brakes since thats quick and easy to do and see if it improves. While yuo're doing that check for any leaks.
If you don't have leaks, no air comes out and the brakes dont improve then you probably have an internal leak in the master cylinder. Sometimes this manifests as brake fluid running down the brake booster. You will notice the paint on the brake booster is stripped off by the brake fluid.
What you have sounds like either air in the system or a faulty master cylinder.
I'd bleed the brakes since thats quick and easy to do and see if it improves. While yuo're doing that check for any leaks.
If you don't have leaks, no air comes out and the brakes dont improve then you probably have an internal leak in the master cylinder. Sometimes this manifests as brake fluid running down the brake booster. You will notice the paint on the brake booster is stripped off by the brake fluid.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 167
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From: Fort Gratiot MI
I took my wifes car into the dealer to have work done. When we got it back the brakes were the same way very spongy.
Well I called and took it back to them and they bled the brakes and got more air out of the line. I think sometimes they just dont do a road test after they are done with a car and if they do it, they just look the other way if something isnt right, to get the next car into the bay so they can make more money that day.
So I bet the brakes just need to be bled off as Ogers suggested.
Well I called and took it back to them and they bled the brakes and got more air out of the line. I think sometimes they just dont do a road test after they are done with a car and if they do it, they just look the other way if something isnt right, to get the next car into the bay so they can make more money that day.
So I bet the brakes just need to be bled off as Ogers suggested.
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they got me for the whole package. I changed pads, and rotors. I ended up going with the heavy duty stuff all the way around......then my eyes bled when I saw the bill, I had fun explaining that to the wife.....but I'm off topic. I changed everything, and the brake pedal is just as spongy as before, the stopping distance and noise is fixed, but i suppose I need to bleed the brakes myself.
any ideas out there on the most cost effective way to do this by myself?
any ideas out there on the most cost effective way to do this by myself?
Fleet Owner
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The most cost effective method is to bring it back to the people you just gave all of your hard earned money to and tell them you're not happy with the way it's braking. Let them make it right, that's what you paid them to do.
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alloro,
thanks for responding, I wish I could. That particular repair shop is three states to the west right now.
Are those, bleed the brakes with 1 person tools worth it? (Those pistol looking things?)
thanks for responding, I wish I could. That particular repair shop is three states to the west right now.
Are those, bleed the brakes with 1 person tools worth it? (Those pistol looking things?)
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Power bleeder by Motive products, spend the $50, it is an excellent tool.
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I bought one not only to bleed brakes, but it doubles as a tester for the various vacuum components under the hood. So to me it was worth it.
The one trick to bleeding brakes with it is to remove the bleeder screw and use one of the tapered rubber fittings that comes with it, stick it in the bleeder hole and pump. If you use the fitting that snaps over the bleeder screw it leaks, sucking in air so you never know if you're done bleeding or not.
The one trick to bleeding brakes with it is to remove the bleeder screw and use one of the tapered rubber fittings that comes with it, stick it in the bleeder hole and pump. If you use the fitting that snaps over the bleeder screw it leaks, sucking in air so you never know if you're done bleeding or not.
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From: Calgary
As you said, it was from a national chain - I would take the bill to a local locaiton of the national chain and ask for thier assistance. Part of the reason that national chains exist is that there is a percieved notion of support and quality with a large brand. (Could this be one of the reasons that you went to the national chain when time was lacking and you were't close to home?? - If so, tell local guy that!!) Although if it's not a "corporate store" another franchise owner may not care... but on the other hand he may want your future business!!! I'd give it a try!
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