Need quick brake help!

[ahhjaws]

Ok, this is for a J**p Cherekee. I was helping my friend change out his disk brake pads, and everything went fine. We bleed the brake system and added more fluid. But the brake pedal is VERY soft. We pumped it, and pumped it, and nothing. The brakes do work when the pedal is pressed all the way down to the floor, because you can't turn the wheel anymore. There is no leaking anywhere. So the actuall problem is just that the pedal is soft and only brakes when all the way down. Any suggestions?

 

[thechemist]

not helpful but just some advice....

dont open off the bleeder valve when doing just a pad swap, you could have used a C clamp to close the caliper and saved yourself the problem with bleeding.


BTW how are you bleeding the car?

 

[thechemist]

does it have ABS? did you run it out of fluid?

 

[ahhjaws]

Yea, we figured out that we were bleeding them wrong. Now that after we did it the right way (pumping the brake till they're hard, releasing the nut drain while pressing the pedal.)

Now the brakes seem fine when the car is off, but then get soft when the car is on.

 

[section525]

Chris.. I have this 'one-man brake bleeder' deal that works great. It's about $6 at any autoparts store. It's just a tube going into a bottle with a magnent on it. Just slip the tube on the nipple, open her up and pump until all the air is out and fluid starts coming.

Also, you should always start with the brake furthest from the master cylinder and finish with the one closest to it.