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1996 Ford Thunderbird Cannot gain brake pedal

Tiny
MANTICAMDAMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 1996 FORD THUNDERBIRD
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 999,999 MILES
I replaced all brakes parts except power booster, which is fine no vacuum leaks in it or the entire car, and the double hulled brake lines that run from m cylinder to rubber hoses at each wheel. I have bled and bled and cannot obtain a stiff pedal. I get a squishy sound when I press teh pedal. I have had my system pressure cleaned and bled, and after many running and tossing many bottles of fluid through it get a foamy type result in my bottle and tube while bleeding
? Mind you I can stop very well, just have no pedal.
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Sunday, May 23rd, 2010 AT 10:11 PM

10 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Are the rear brakes properly adjusted?
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Sunday, May 23rd, 2010 AT 11:34 PM
Tiny
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And all is adjusted
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+1
Sunday, May 23rd, 2010 AT 11:42 PM
Tiny
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Interesting that I read your post tonight. A good friend of mine called with the exact same problem with an escort. However, when I went to help, he had no pedal and had just replaced rear wheel cylenders. I re-bled his, got a ton of air out of them and got a slight pedal. Then he told me that he didn't know he had to adjust the brakes because they were self adjusting. I adjusted them and then all was good. However, your problem, although similar, is different.

When you replaced the master cylender, was the push rod adjustable? Also, did the old master cylender do the same thing?

Let me know.
Joe
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Sunday, May 23rd, 2010 AT 11:52 PM
Tiny
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The push rod is supposed to be adjustable. Perhaps I did not adjust the rear correctly. I do not know why but drum brakes give me a hassel. I was more concernd with the oamy nature of the fluid.
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Monday, May 24th, 2010 AT 8:13 AM
Tiny
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Something tells me that is where the problem lies. If it isn't set properly, your brakes may work perfect, but the pedal may go to the floor.

As far as the brake fluid, I honestly feel it is just from running so much fluid through the lines. As long as you didn't have any poping or hear any air come out, it should be fine.

Let me know if that works with the master cylender.

Joe
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Monday, May 24th, 2010 AT 10:28 AM
Tiny
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My brake pedal is as stiff as that of a new car. Next, suspension.
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Thursday, May 27th, 2010 AT 7:07 PM
Tiny
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I'm glad they're fixed. Was it the adjustment to the master cylender? If not, what was it and what needs done to the suspension?
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Thursday, May 27th, 2010 AT 10:31 PM
Tiny
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Hay, I just realized you gave me a positive review. Thanks. It's appreciated. Also, as far as "how busy." Never to busy to help good people. Let me know if you need anything.

Take care,

Joe
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Thursday, May 27th, 2010 AT 10:36 PM
Tiny
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All I had to do was increase the length of the pushrod to the proper specs and suddenly I have brakes, of coure everything else is brand new. This did justify the money and effort however. THe suspension. After 16 years all the rubber is gone. Time to replace it all. This task is daunting as I have never done such.
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Thursday, May 27th, 2010 AT 10:37 PM
Tiny
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Don't let it bother you. It really isn't that bad. Chances are you are refering to sway bar bushings. It unbolts and you replace them. If there is something other, let me know and I'll do my best to help.

You sound a lot like me. I have just spent the last 3 days basically rebuilding my 93 Dakota. At 220K, it needed a few things. It won't die, so I decided to fix it up. It plows my driveway and everyones on my street in the winter, and it seems my wife always has something to haul the rest of the time. My oldest son will be 15 this year. I figured it would be a good starter vehicle for him. If he dents it, what can I say. I have more than goten my money out of it.
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Thursday, May 27th, 2010 AT 10:56 PM

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