Can not get a stiff break pedal it goes all the way to the floor

Tiny
ZACHS87GT
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 FORD CROWN VICTORIA
  • 83,000 MILES
I put new pads rotors calipers and master cylinder on my car and after bleeding the breaks for almost 5 days I still can not get a stiff break pedal it goes all the way to the floor when the car is off they pump up but still goes to the floor
Friday, September 23rd, 2011 AT 5:11 PM

16 Replies

Tiny
DAN_K
  • MECHANIC
  • 213 POSTS
Be sure to check the brake hoses at each wheel. I've seen the rubber "balloon" at times when the rubber is old and soft. If the hoses are ballooning, you will experience a soft brake pedal and they would need replacement. I am also assuming that you have properly bled all the air from the braking system. I would suspect there is air in the lines. These guides can help you fix it.

https://youtu.be/w7gUsj2us0U

and

https://youtu.be/WDxvEQrMkBg

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/brake-pedal-goes-to-the-floor

Please run down these guides and report back.
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Friday, September 23rd, 2011 AT 5:34 PM
Tiny
PROMECHANIC
  • MECHANIC
  • 536 POSTS
Did you manually bleed the master cylinder before you installed it? It sounds like that step might have been skipped. If so you need to remove it and bleed it. Most of them have instructions that come with them that explain how to do it. If not I can help you.
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Friday, September 23rd, 2011 AT 7:29 PM
Tiny
TFABE427
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1999 FORD CROWN VICTORIA
  • 150,000 MILES
After replacing the front brake calipers and rotors and bleeding the brakes the brake pedal still goes to the floor.
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Monday, March 15th, 2021 AT 10:17 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good afternoon,

Do you mean the pedal went to the floor before you did the calipers?

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/brake-pedal-goes-to-the-floor

You may have a bad master cylinder.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-a-brake-master-cylinder

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-bleed-or-flush-a-car-brake-system

I attached the procedure for replacing the master cylinder.

Roy

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Monday, March 15th, 2021 AT 10:17 AM (Merged)
Tiny
TFABE427
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
The brake pedal was fine before I replaced the calipers because the right front one was seized up. I replace both of them for good measure and now I cannot get a good brake pedal it only goes to the floor. I have bled the brakes several times.
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Monday, March 15th, 2021 AT 10:17 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Okay, make sure of one thing. Check the calipers and make sure the bleeder is at the top of the caliper. They front calipers are the same except the bleeder valve location.

I attached the bleeding procedure and a picture of the bleeder location.

Roy

1. Note: It is not necessary to do a complete brake system bleed if only the disc brake caliper was disconnected.

Place a box end wrench on the disc brake caliper bleeder screw. Attach a rubber drain tube to the disc brake caliper bleeder screw, and submerge the free end of the tube in a container partially filled with clean brake fluid.
2. Have an assistant pump the Brake Pedal (BP) and then hold firm pressure on the brake pedal.
3. Loosen the disc brake caliper bleeder screw until a stream of brake fluid comes out. While the assistant maintains pressure on the brake pedal, tighten the disc brake caliper bleeder screw.
Repeat until clear, bubble-free fluid comes out.
Refill the brake master cylinder reservoir as necessary.

ImageOpen In New TabZoom/Print

4. Tighten the disc brake caliper bleeder screw.
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Monday, March 15th, 2021 AT 10:17 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MUSTANGBURCH
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 1996 FORD CROWN VICTORIA
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 103,000 MILES
My friends and I were out on some back roads having fun so there were rocks flying when my brake light on the dash came on. Everything we ok for awhile then I pulled over for a little bit and got back in and the brake pedal was mush. I had to put it to the floor to stop it. I checked the master cylinder in the dark with a flashlight and it was empty, but no leaks comming from it. Im guessing it has to be a brake line, but not sure. I still did make the 10 miles back home. It just took about a block to stop though. Please help me and thank you for your time.
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Monday, March 15th, 2021 AT 10:17 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
You're leaking somewhere -the brake M/C just don't get dry like that.
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Monday, March 15th, 2021 AT 10:17 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MUSTANGBURCH
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Yah I know, but I couldnt do anything last night because it is so dark. Im pretty sure a brake line went south. Only about a $30 dollar fix so no biggie.
Thanks for your reply
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Monday, March 15th, 2021 AT 10:17 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Better get it fix fast -you're in danger here and others -don't use duck tape lol BTW I didn't know it was dark last night, the only thing I know is to help people with car problems.

You have a nice day comeback if needed-Good Luck!
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Monday, March 15th, 2021 AT 10:17 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MUSTANGBURCH
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Wow this is a biggie. I really cant afford to have it in the shop. My friend and I took a look today and the main brake line running down the driver side has a leak in it. Bad enough that when I pump the brake, brake fluid actually squirts. I cant find a replacement online so im guessing the only thing I can do is put it in a shop. Any suggestions on a quick fix. And I will take your words of wisdom of no duct tape haha. Thanks for you help so far. Sorry it took so long to get this information on the problem.
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Monday, March 15th, 2021 AT 10:17 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Go to a parts store and match your brake line with a short piece- fabricate it and use a compression fittings on it.
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Monday, March 15th, 2021 AT 10:17 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MUSTANGBURCH
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Ok sounds good. I will get on that. Thank you for all the help you have given me.
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Monday, March 15th, 2021 AT 10:17 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JDAVIS1070
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1994 FORD CROWN VICTORIA
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 14,000 MILES
After bleeding system, brakepedal sometimes catches, somestimes goes to floor
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Monday, March 15th, 2021 AT 10:19 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DAVE H
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,383 POSTS
I'm afraid you will need to re-bleed the system. Check for any leaks before you start.

MANUAL BLEEDING
NOTE:Check fluid level in master cylinder frequently during brake bleeding sequence.

Non-ABS
Clean dirt from master cylinder fluid reservoir filler cap area. Fill reservoir with brake fluid. If master cylinder is known or suspected to have air in bore, bleed master cylinder first. To bleed brake system, release vacuum from power unit by depressing brake pedal several times.
Install clear vinyl bleed hose onto first bleed valve to be serviced. See the BRAKELINE BLEEDING SEQUENCE table. Place other end of hose in clean transparent container.
Partially fill container with clean brake fluid so end of hose is submerged in fluid. Open bleed valve 1-2 turns. Have an assistant slowly depress brake pedal through its full travel.
Close bleed valve and release pedal. Pump pedal several times to push air toward wheel cylinders. Repeat procedure until flow of brake fluid is clear and shows no sign of air bubbles. Proceed to next bleed valve.
Check brake pedal for firmness. If brake pedal feels "spongy", repeat bleeding procedure. Top off brake fluid reservoir.
BRAKE LINE BLEEDING SEQUENCE
ApplicationSequence
All Models RR, LF, LR & RF
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Monday, March 15th, 2021 AT 10:19 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JDAVIS1070
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
[quote="jdavis1070"]Brakes problem
1994 Ford Crown Victoria V8 Two Wheel Drive Automatic 140, 00 miles

after bleeding system, brakepedal sometimes catches, somestimes goes to floor when trying to stop while driving.
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Monday, March 15th, 2021 AT 10:19 AM (Merged)

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