Brake pedal went all the way to the floor

EMMARODGERS73

MEMBER
2006 FORD TAURUS
6 CYL
4WD
AUTOMATIC
73,911 MILES

On January, 26, 2008, I had a two wheel front disk brake service, left and right new brake rotor, cleaned and adjusted brakes, replaced left front bearing, new tires and an oil change. Since then I have had major problems with my brakes. It only happens when I travel long distances or I am in stop and go traffic. The first time it happened, I was on the highway and I felt resistance pressure from my brakes. Like the brakes were sticking. The more I pressed my foot on the gas pedal, the harder it was for the car to pick up speed. I also began to smell something burning. So I stopped and I saw smoke coming from under the car near the brakes on the driver's side. I got back in the car to test the brakes out around the parking lot. The brake pedal went all the way to the floor. I pumped the brakes and the car eventually stopped. I got back in my car to go home and they worked fine. Once again, After about 40 minutes, The same thing started again. I have taken it back to Goodyear several times, but they say that they cannot find anything wrong. I know that something is wrong. HELP!

1 Reply

JAMES W.

MECHANIC
2,394 POSTS

Looking at your list of parts replaced, I didn't see "brake calipers". A lot of times as front brake pads wear, sediment builds up behind the piston in the brake caliper. To make room for the new, "thicker" pads the piston has to be re-compressed into the caliper over this sediment. Sometimes when the piston it's travel back out from normal brake use, the piston sill "jam" in the caliper and won't back off enough to release the rotor creating heat and causing the problem you describe. I would surely take it back to where you had the work done. You have probably put 25,000 miles worth of wear on your new brakes in the short time you have driven it. 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. Hope this helps.