1993 Honda Civic Spongy Brakes

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MIKE WEST
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
The car is a 4 door sedan e/w non ABS brakes with 225k on the odomoter. New pads and shoes were recently installed. Brake fluid level does not drop in reservoir.
The brakes are spongy even after bleeding them 2 times. With the engine off, I pump the brakes about 3 times anf the pedal becomes stiff and will hold that way. Once I start the engine, the brake pedal will drop about 2 inches.
If I slowly depress the brake pedal when driving at a speed of about 20 mph, the pedal will go to the floor with very little braking taking place.
At the same speed if I depress the brake pedal briskly, the pedal will go down about half way and the brakes will hold. If I keep pressure on the pedal, it will not drop further.
Any suggestions of what to do would be appreciated.
Thanks,

Mike
Apr 3, 2006 at 7:56 AM
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LOSONE
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 1,616 POSTS
Replace the master cyl. When you installed the pads it caused reverse fluid flow through the master cyl and broke the seal so fluid now bypasses internally. Good Luck
Apr 3, 2006 at 8:13 AM

Suggested Repair

Replace the master cylinder. The expert says installing new pads caused reverse fluid flow that damaged the master cylinder seal, so fluid now bypasses internally.

Conversation Summary

A 1993 Honda Civic with non-ABS brakes and recently installed pads and shoes has a spongy pedal after two bleeds, with no drop in reservoir fluid. The pedal firms when pumped with the engine off but drops after starting, sinks slowly toward the floor with little braking, and holds when pressed briskly. The expert recommends replacing the master cylinder because reverse fluid flow damaged its seal and fluid is bypassing internally.

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