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Spongy Brake Pedal

hpracing10

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hpracing10 Enthusiast

hpracing10

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Just tonight after fueling up at a gas station, I started my truck up and at the first stop sign my brake pedal went almost all the way to the floor, it was real spongy and not firm at all like usual. I can still stop, but I find that I have to pump the brakes to stop because once the pedal reaches a certain point it gets real soft and doesn't stop quick at all. As soon as it reached a certain point, a red light that says BRAKE on the bottom of my tach came on and also a message that read SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM on my DIC. What could be causing this? I have disc brakes on all four wheels. A buddy of mine once had the same problem on an older ('98) silverado and he said it came out to be the master cylinder went bad? Does this sound right? Any ideas are greatly appreciated! Thanks

hpracing10 Enthusiast

hpracing10

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It was just flushed about a month ago. I didn't have time to check the fluid level last night, this morning I did though and it is down about half of what it should be. It was just full saturday because I changed oil and checked it then. So now I am thinking that I'm dealing with a leak somewhere. Could a line be rusted through leaking fluid causing me to lose pedal? that would explain the loss of fluid. Now that I have determined that it IS low on fluid, I think I can rule out the master cylinder. Anyone have any ideas? Thanks

pm26 Senior Enthusiast

pm26

Posted
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A spongy pedal could simply mean that there is air trapped in the system. I would bleed the brkaes again to eliminate this possibility.

hpracing10 Enthusiast

hpracing10

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Ok, I will check the bleeders and bleed it again. But why would it have worked fine up until now for the past month? I may trace all of the lines just to make sure none of them are leaking anywhere. If I do come across a leaky line, is the best way to fix it to splice in a new piece of line, or should I run a whole new line from the proportioning valve? Thanks for your advice

hpracing10 Enthusiast

hpracing10

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went out and checked everything over, found the problem. The brake line for the right rear wheel that runs along the rear end is leaking real bad about right in the middle of the line. Should be an easy fix, since that particular line connects right above the rear end and also over at the wheel. I plan to bleed both rear brakes when I get it fixed, will I need to bleed the front too or will they be fine since the leak is at the back? Thanks!

Jubei69 Enthusiast

Jubei69

Posted
Posted
went out and checked everything over, found the problem. The brake line for the right rear wheel that runs along the rear end is leaking real bad about right in the middle of the line. Should be an easy fix, since that particular line connects right above the rear end and also over at the wheel. I plan to bleed both rear brakes when I get it fixed, will I need to bleed the front too or will they be fine since the leak is at the back? Thanks!

 

 

If you are replacing brake lines, then replace them all and if you can afford it, upgrade to ss braided brake lines...

r1byker Enthusiast

r1byker

Posted
Posted
went out and checked everything over, found the problem. The brake line for the right rear wheel that runs along the rear end is leaking real bad about right in the middle of the line. Should be an easy fix, since that particular line connects right above the rear end and also over at the wheel. I plan to bleed both rear brakes when I get it fixed, will I need to bleed the front too or will they be fine since the leak is at the back? Thanks!

 

 

Bleed them all, starting from the farthest from the master cylinder and then work your way progressively closer to the one closest to the master cylinder.

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