spongy brakes, excess travel

Handling, suspension, and brake tuning discussions
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woodyg
Posts: 46
Joined: Tue Sep 01, 2009 7:57 am

spongy brakes, excess travel

Post by woodyg »

I have had somewhat spongy brakes since I got the car 10k miles ago. when I got the vehicle the front pads were fine but the rotors appeared warped. I just changed the rotors and pads yesterday and the vehicles stops great beside this spongy pedal. I bled the system at the 4 wheels. I am not sure how great a job i did I had my wife was womening the pedal. I bled each wheel about 3 or 4 times. The brakes are still soft, spongy and they travel to far. you can get them pumped up a little. all suggestions before it visits the pro Shop would be aprreciated
2006 vibe, White, 1zzfe, auto, AWD, PW, PL, CC, AC, 192,000 miles....(07/14/2014). been working on my cars for many years. I am an OK backyard tech.
star_deceiver
Posts: 5802
Joined: Fri Jun 05, 2009 1:49 pm
Location: Airdrie, AB

Re: spongy brakes, excess travel (woodyg)

Post by star_deceiver »

Buy another bottle of brake fluid and do it again. This time though keep adding new fluid to the resevoir and pump ant each wheel until the fluid runs clear (AKA brake flush) to make sure you get all the air out!
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2009 Vibe. (Traded in - 12/12/12)
woodyg
Posts: 46
Joined: Tue Sep 01, 2009 7:57 am

Re: spongy brakes, excess travel (star_deceiver)

Post by woodyg »

I took it to sears yesterday for a front end alignment. while they I had them check the brakes. they could not find any issue with them. i had them do the brake flush for $35. They seem about the same.
2006 vibe, White, 1zzfe, auto, AWD, PW, PL, CC, AC, 192,000 miles....(07/14/2014). been working on my cars for many years. I am an OK backyard tech.
Sublimewind
Posts: 5140
Joined: Thu May 24, 2007 4:44 am

Post by Sublimewind »

It's possible you have a vacuum leak.. as the master cylinder is vacuum actuated.. Could be a leaking master cylinder as well.. Is it possible that when YOU did the brakes, you mighta sucked in some air from the rez? If that happens, it can take a long time (upwards of 2 bottles of fluid) to get it all out...
woodyg
Posts: 46
Joined: Tue Sep 01, 2009 7:57 am

Post by woodyg »

I definitly did not suck any air in when i did the brakes. the condition was there before I change the pads and rotors. I cchecked the brake booster and that is working fine. I think the only vacuum to the master cylinder is from the brake booster and that should not affect the spongy issue i am having....thx for your input
2006 vibe, White, 1zzfe, auto, AWD, PW, PL, CC, AC, 192,000 miles....(07/14/2014). been working on my cars for many years. I am an OK backyard tech.
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