Soft Brakes

Beubank · October 23, 2006

I have a 2000 GMC 2500.

I recently changed front brake pads and I had the rotors turned. After doing this I test drove it and the pedal was soft. I then blead the brakes and I had a good pedal feel. The next day I drove about 3 miles and there were times the pedal felt normal and times that it went down quickly with less stopping power. The pedal would go to within about 1-1.5" of the floor.

I bleed the brakes with it running, I couldn't get any fluid out if it was off. Seems weird to me.

Thanks

plinkie · October 27, 2006

I have a 2000 GMC 2500.

I recently changed front brake pads and I had the rotors turned. After doing this I test drove it and the pedal was soft. I then blead the brakes and I had a good pedal feel. The next day I drove about 3 miles and there were times the pedal felt normal and times that it went down quickly with less stopping power. The pedal would go to within about 1-1.5" of the floor.

I bleed the brakes with it running, I couldn't get any fluid out if it was off. Seems weird to me.

Thanks

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Sound like you still have some air in the brake lines. All you can do is make sure your brake fluid is up, and keep bleading the brakes until no more air comes out. A small amout of air is all it takes to affect the brakes. Once you loosen the small nut, let a generous amount of fluid flow and make sure the person pushing on the brake pedel doesn't take their foot off the brake until you have tightned the nut. Then move on to the other side and do the same thing.

alvocado · October 28, 2006

You may have air in the ABS system. You have to get the ABS to activate (don't recommend doing this while driving if the brakes aren't working properly) in order to release the air then re-bleed. I believe the dealer can activate them with a diagnostic system as well.