1999 Nissan Sentra Brake Issue

Tiny
CINTEE
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 NISSAN SENTRA
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 149,992 MILES
Brakes seemed to be not stopping car as quick and right front brake would smell like its hot. Changed brake pads and rotors (rotors were very worn, pads were still good. But changed them anyway). Now have no pedal pressure. Have bleed all four brakes both with the engine running, and with it not but with the key on. Can build up presure with key on and engine not running, but as soon as start the engine pedal sinks to floor. When pumping pedal, engine seems to die down. Not sure if that is relevant. Have checked all lines, have found no leaks. Thinking of changing master cylinder, but not sure if that is the issue. What could the problem be. Brakes did work fine before changing rotors and pads other than what I stated before. Please help.
Wednesday, March 23rd, 2011 AT 2:57 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
If no air are present in system, the most likely problem would be the master cylinder. The front right brake caliper should be checked for sticking.

Pumping the brake with engine running would affect the idling as the master cylinder requires vacuum to work and the pumping is draining the vacuum.
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Saturday, March 13th, 2021 AT 6:55 PM
Tiny
FIXITMR
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You could have a crushed brake hose on the right side which would make caliper not return properly and overheat pads. This cold be your only problem in the first place a s hot pads/rotor have less or none stopping force/grip.
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Saturday, March 13th, 2021 AT 6:55 PM
Tiny
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I replaced the master cylinder, bleed the lines again and still have no pedal pressure. Cannot get it to pump up. Any other ideas. The only other thing I can think of is before this happened when the car would get up to temperature and if you shut it off for a few minutes when going to restart it would act like it was flooded. Not sure if this ties into the brake issue or not. Please help.
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Saturday, March 13th, 2021 AT 6:55 PM
Tiny
FIXITMR
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I wonder how you lost pedal when only changing pads? You didn't open any lines did you?
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Saturday, March 13th, 2021 AT 6:55 PM
Tiny
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Nope, didn't open any lines. Just changed front brake pads & front rotors that's it. Now have a new master cylinder on it and still nothing. Am wondering if could be brake booster, that's about the only think left.
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Saturday, March 13th, 2021 AT 6:55 PM
Tiny
FIXITMR
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I dont see how brake booster could cause no pedal. Why not block off rear brakes and just try to bleed fronts? I use to use this trick when I needed my brakes to work after rear cylinder leak/hose break in rear. I put a small flat head nail between/in line fitting into master to stop/block flow. Instant full pedal and brakes(front only)
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Saturday, March 13th, 2021 AT 6:55 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
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Check the front calipers and hoses for leakages. Calipers pistons might be bad due to pitting at outer portion and with new pads, this pitted portion is now seated on the caliper piston seals resulting in leakages and pressure losses.
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Saturday, March 13th, 2021 AT 6:55 PM

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