Another Mushy Brake Story!!!
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Junior User
Joined: Aug 2004
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Another Mushy Brake Story!!!
Hey guys,
I have a 2001 Ford Expedition 4WD and just replaced the rotors and pads.I then bled the system starting with the wheel farthest away from the master cylinder. Also made sure the fluid did not get low.I then test drove it and the brakes were mushy.However when i trun the truck off and pump the pedal a couple times they firm up correctly.Not sure what that's about.
I stomped on the brakes a few times and they stopped evenly however the brake pedal travels about an inch before i feel contact with the brakes.
I bled the system again and had no air in the brakes however still have a mushy pedal that is now worse then when i changed the brakes.I read somewhere that i may have gotten air in the ABS but i don't see how.If there is air in there how can i cycle the system to purge the air.
Thanks in Advance
Fleet Owner
Joined: Apr 2008
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It takes time for the new pads and rotor to break-in. During this break-in period, a little extra travel in the brake pedal is normal. Both the pads and rotor have high spots that have to wear down until you end up with two flat surfaces mating with each other.
As a rule, I don't bleed brakes when changing pads unless I have to open the system to change a hose, caliper, etc. First I'll drive the vehicle with the new pads and make sure everything is okay. Only then if everything checks out will I bleed the brakes. Doing it this way helps to narrow the possible problems if something goes wrong.
As a rule, I don't bleed brakes when changing pads unless I have to open the system to change a hose, caliper, etc. First I'll drive the vehicle with the new pads and make sure everything is okay. Only then if everything checks out will I bleed the brakes. Doing it this way helps to narrow the possible problems if something goes wrong.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
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I had a psudo-similar problem, my brakes were crap and I replaced the rotors pads and bled them and I still had a soft pedal. My fluid however was brownish (still see through but way off color). I rented a power bleeder and flush 4 tall bottles though (1 at each wheel, excessive I know), but, after my shade tree fluid change at 154k mi. it was stopping on a dime and had a nice firm pedal. You could have air in the ABS as well, this happened on my mustang and I had to bring it to the dealer to get the abs cycled (and bled again obviously), in my case all of the fluid bled out on the right front due to a 'friend' who 'knew what he was doing' just took the caliper lines etc. off becuase he is an idiot (IT WAS JUST A PAD CHANGE, sweet mothr of god that still pisses me off).
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