Soft brake pedal again

[Briggslite]

So I have had a soft brake pedal since I bought my vehicle a year ago. This last weekend I replaced all 4 calipers, rotors, pads and soft lines. I bled the system as best I could but when I was done the brakes were about the same as they were before. I've dropped the truck off for the brakes being bled at the local Ford dealership but was wondering if anyone had any definitive conclusions on this soft brake pedal issue that people discuss. Mine would go nearly to the floor, 2-3 inches off the floor at best, all the other Fords I've had in my life I have not had this issue.

Is the brake bleeding going to do it? Will the Master Cylinder resolve this? I don't understand what is different about the brake pedal assembly that has been a part of other people's discussions.

Any insight would be glorious and appreciated.

 

[07EddyB]

Well - I bought my 2007 in 2008. It had what I would call soft brakes then. The brake fluid reservoir had a leak so it was replaced under warranty and they bled the entire system. No change at all. I have since replaced all pads and rotors under normal maintenance with also no change at all. Ive actually gotten in the habit of pumping the brakes coming to a stop. Light braking - release - full braking. It stops - I've accepted it as normal. Only time it's a problem is when I drive our van and almost put everyone through the windshield the first time I hit the brakes.

 

[tripplec]

I was told once on another of my vehicle after doing pads and rotors all around. My pedal was spongy. If a bearing is worn a big the rotor may move giving the softer feel as the pad/caliper pushes against it. The caliper does not always simple squeeze together as the piston side exerts the force and if the caliper does float in with pressure more softness is felt.

Something like that. Although I could not detect a bearing issue on that vehicle and is now much better as the new pads have worn in. I say the the caliper guides as well as the pad channels need to be clean and lubed with caliper grease. The pads should not be tight or binding in those channels typically having a stainless steel plate. Rust under them can make the get too tight for the caliper to move them or the pads just hang up in on stop.

 

[Partsman109]

 

[Spyderman]

So I have had a soft brake pedal since I bought my vehicle a year ago. This last weekend I replaced all 4 calipers, rotors, pads and soft lines. I bled the system as best I could but when I was done the brakes were about the same as they were before. I've dropped the truck off for the brakes being bled at the local Ford dealership but was wondering if anyone had any definitive conclusions on this soft brake pedal issue that people discuss. Mine would go nearly to the floor, 2-3 inches off the floor at best, all the other Fords I've had in my life I have not had this issue.

Is the brake bleeding going to do it? Will the Master Cylinder resolve this? I don't understand what is different about the brake pedal assembly that has been a part of other people's discussions.

Any insight would be glorious and appreciated.

So I have had a soft brake pedal since I bought my vehicle a year ago. This last weekend I replaced all 4 calipers, rotors, pads and soft lines. I bled the system as best I could but when I was done the brakes were about the same as they were before. I've dropped the truck off for the brakes being bled at the local Ford dealership but was wondering if anyone had any definitive conclusions on this soft brake pedal issue that people discuss. Mine would go nearly to the floor, 2-3 inches off the floor at best, all the other Fords I've had in my life I have not had this issue.

Is the brake bleeding going to do it? Will the Master Cylinder resolve this? I don't understand what is different about the brake pedal assembly that has been a part of other people's discussions.

Any insight would be glorious and appreciated.

Another option to try, if unable to bleed brake system per the TSB, is to find a section of road or a parking lot where you can engage in some spirited stopping, such that you are able to induce a skid so that the ABS pump activates and pumps your brakes to see if there may have been some air trapped within the lines to, from, and within the ABS unit. I had the same experience you described, and after painstakingly bleeding my brakes, after installing new rotors and pads, and replacing my master cylinder (which I bench bled before installing), the brake pedal just wasn't as firm as I'm used to. After some nice slides on a patch of icy road this past winter, and the ABS activating, things seem to have improved in the firmness of the pedal. Something to try, and it won't cost you anything additional.

 

[pjw73nh]

Well - I bought my 2007 in 2008. It had what I would call soft brakes then. The brake fluid reservoir had a leak so it was replaced under warranty and they bled the entire system. No change at all. I have since replaced all pads and rotors under normal maintenance with also no change at all. Ive actually gotten in the habit of pumping the brakes coming to a stop. Light braking - release - full braking. It stops - I've accepted it as normal. Only time it's a problem is when I drive our van and almost put everyone through the windshield the first time I hit the brakes.

07 Eddy, I have this EXACT same issue. I do the same thing. Pump once and then brake. Nice, firm pedal. I did a complete fluid change and bleed. No difference. I have some additional information that I think adds some troubleshooting ideas into the mix if I don't do the extra pump at the beginning.

Before I did my rear pads (they were worn), If I braked, I would get the "soft pedal" we speak of in this post. Further, with most of the braking being done by the front brakes, they would start to pulse a little bit. Probably due to a couple of things. 1. Higher pressure required to stop the car because the rears aren't doing as much. 2. A little more heat and load on the fronts.

Now, after I replaced my rear pads, I had a firm pedal and there was no need to do a "pre-pump", nor did I get any pulsing. Here we are 1500-2000 miles into the rear pads, and I find myself having to "pre-pump" again to get the firm pedal.

So, with all that new info, any thoughts ? The nature of the beast? Bad master cyl? Rears not self adjusting (if there even IS a self adjuster). I am at a loss.

Thanks.

 

[Mitchs07explorer]

My brakes felt soft when I bought my 07 ex 5 years ago. It never really bothered me but I wondered if they could be better. I had the system flushed a couple of years ago and changed all 4 rotors as well as all the pads and there was maybe a slight change but that might have just been me trying to convince myself. I would only worry if you feel that it is unsafe for any reason. Sometimes other cars throw out perception of braking as well. My wife drives a Honda CRV and that thing stops on a freaking dime! My wife does not like to ride as a passenger in her car with me due to the whiplash effect.

Oh yeah, I have noticed that if my car sits for a little while the brakes feel much more spongy until I've used them a few times.

 

[Beachcomber86]

Have you checked the vacuum line?

 

[gdgiordano]

Honestly my 2010 and 1997 both always had a pedal that would be spongy for the first 1/3 of its range. It was/has always consistent on both vehicles reguardless of the brakes being brand new or not. I just got used to it. I think it’s the nature of the beast and ford designed it to have bite at a certain point not immediately or a linear build. To be honest I like it especially in snow where a light pedal can keep you more stable. I HATE Driving cars with a linear curve on the brake. Very helpful to modulate your stopping speed.

 

[Joejeffery]

So I have had a soft brake pedal since I bought my vehicle a year ago. This last weekend I replaced all 4 calipers, rotors, pads and soft lines. I bled the system as best I could but when I was done the brakes were about the same as they were before. I've dropped the truck off for the brakes being bled at the local Ford dealership but was wondering if anyone had any definitive conclusions on this soft brake pedal issue that people discuss. Mine would go nearly to the floor, 2-3 inches off the floor at best, all the other Fords I've had in my life I have not had this issue.

Is the brake bleeding going to do it? Will the Master Cylinder resolve this? I don't understand what is different about the brake pedal assembly that has been a part of other people's discussions.

Any insight would be glorious and appreciated.