Soft brake pedal

KATE WATSON

MEMBER
2001 FORD ESCAPE
3.0L
6 CYL
4WD
AUTOMATIC
180,000 MILES

Changed brake pads and shoes. Brakes adjusted. Took it for a spin. Pedal hard before starting. Once started pedal almost goes to the floor. Was good before changing brakes. Master cylinder replaced and all lines bled. Same problem. Help I have seen online other Escape owners with this problem, but no help.

5 Replies

CJ MEDEVAC

MECHANIC
11,005 POSTS

Just checking out your methods.

Kind of look over this long, boring, spectacular answer in this post (link below) and see if you did things like I describe.

Return with good news or maybe your techniques you attempted for the task.

The Medic

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Friday, December 2nd, 2016 AT 5:33 PM

KATE WATSON

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Didn't see a link.

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Wednesday, December 7th, 2016 AT 5:26 AM

CJ MEDEVAC

MECHANIC
11,005 POSTS

Sometimes I get carried away!

See if this one works

https://www.2carpros.com/questions/1998-ford-f-150-cant-get-brakes-bleed

This link is missing in the above link, you should be able to figure out where it went

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3Jhbz4mVKw

Maybe good news this time?

The Medic

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Wednesday, December 7th, 2016 AT 4:25 PM

KATE WATSON

MEMBER
2 POSTS

2 days stumping the mechanics at the local garage. Turned rod from master cylinder into brake booster and pedal hardened up. Don't quite understand since the only thing touched were brake shoes and pedal was hard before they were replaced!

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Friday, December 9th, 2016 AT 3:23 AM

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
48,397 POSTS

Hey KATE,

The best way to approach this problem is to use three vise grips and gently clamp each of the flex lines, at this point he brake pedal should not move, it is does it is a master cylinder problem, if not is is a problem with air in the line or the rear brake shoe adjustment.

Here is a link to the system brake bleed

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

and this guide.

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

Please let us know happens so it will help others.

Best, Ken