1998 Ford explorer weird brake problem!

[killersdad]

Hello all here, I am new to this forum.

I installed new front brake pads last week and noticed a slight pull to the right when braking.

So I ordered and installed new front brake calipers as the old ones were crusty.

While changing the calipers out there was a noticeable grunt/burp like noise that occurred.

After changing the calipers the pedal was expectedly soft so I did a 4 wheel bleed with new synthetic fluid.

After the bleed the pedal now goes to the floor with no resistance and makes a wooshing sound.

Did a second bleed with no change.

System is tight with no leaks and it bled out fine with no air.

Help!, and thanks in advance., Killersdad

Called a mechanic friend and he thinks the ABS pump is air bound and it is hard to bleed.

Anyone have a hack for this? Thanks, Killersdad

 

[Mbrooks420]

Probably a stupid question, the bleeders are installed facing up?

No fluid loss? Next suspect would be a master cylinder.

 

[CJYoung]

First thing, check your vacuum lines, better yet, statrt with the Brake Booster. After applying the pedal a few times, pull the hose going into Booster. If the audible WOOSH is heard, move on to the next trouble area, which would be to check the 2 lines on the Vacuum canister, behind inner fenderwall, under the air filter assembly. I unknowingly pulled one line off, and drove me nuts trying to find it

 

[killersdad]

First thing, check your vacuum lines, better yet, statrt with the Brake Booster. After applying the pedal a few times, pull the hose going into Booster. If the audible WOOSH is heard, move on to the next trouble area, which would be to check the 2 lines on the Vacuum canister, behind inner fenderwall, under the air filter assembly. I unknowingly pulled one line off, and drove me nuts trying to find it

Thanks, I will check that today.

 

[killersdad]

Probably a stupid question, the bleeders are installed facing up?

No fluid loss? Next suspect would be a master cylinder.

Yes, bleeders are up and no fluid loss. I will check the master. Thank you.

 

[Mbrooks420]

Yes, bleeders are up and no fluid loss. I will check the master. Thank you.

I only ask because I’ve seen it on here a few times after much troubleshooting.

 

[C420sailor]

Are you vacuum bleeding, or kicking it old school?

Does depressing the pedal move fluid out the bleeders when doing it the old fashioned way?

 

[J_C]

I'm also thinking master cylinder.

 

[CJYoung]

I'm also thinking master cylinder.

And Nobody Questions Mr. J_C!
How you been?

 

[killersdad]

Are you vacuum bleeding, or kicking it old school?

Does depressing the pedal move fluid out the bleeders when doing it the old fashioned way?

Yes, old fashioned bleeding and pedal pushed out fluid as normal.

I'm also thinking master cylinder.

Master and booster are ok. I was told air in the ABS pump.

 

[C420sailor]

Impressive. It’s generally pretty hard to get air in that thing. I’ve done entire front brake lines and not been able to pull that off

 

[410Fortune]

If the master cylinder was depressed too far while there was no pressure in the system you could have torn/blown the seals

Air in the abs pump happens, but it usually results in just a soft pedal, you would still have brakes. You can use a hood scanner to activate the abs pump and push the air downstream or you can go find a patch of gravel and mash the brakes 20 times causing the abs to activate, again pushing the air downstream. Careful! At your own risk and all that….

To me it sounds like your master cyl maybe toast

What I do when this happens
Gravity bleed, open the bleeders make sure reservoir is full
Let it sit overnite or until fluid starts to drip
Close Bleeders
Start to bleed as normal, when we do this we do not push the pedal to the floor we go 75% if the way until all 4s have been bled.

If still no pressure Builds up it’s likely bad seals
You can also try bench bleeding master it should build pressure in just a few
Pumps

 

[killersdad]

If the master cylinder was depressed too far while there was no pressure in the system you could have torn/blown the seals

Air in the abs pump happens, but it usually results in just a soft pedal, you would still have brakes. You can use a hood scanner to activate the abs pump and push the air downstream or you can go find a patch of gravel and mash the brakes 20 times causing the abs to activate, again pushing the air downstream. Careful! At your own risk and all that….

To me it sounds like your master cyl maybe toast

What I do when this happens
Gravity bleed, open the bleeders make sure reservoir is full
Let it sit overnite or until fluid starts to drip
Close Bleeders
Start to bleed as normal, when we do this we do not push the pedal to the floor we go 75% if the way until all 4s have been bled.

If still no pressure Builds up it’s likely bad seals
You can also try bench bleeding master it should build pressure in just a few
Pumps

Thanks, I will try that.