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Soft Pedal

dmonds03

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May 12, 2009
Messages
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City, State
Miramar, FL
Year, Model & Trim Level
2007 Sport Trac
My brakes have a very soft feel to them.. I've bled the system on two different occasions and it stiffens up but after a short while the pedal goes back to soft.. I have new pads all the way around too.. anyone have a viagra solution to this issue?
 



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My brakes have a very soft feel to them.. I've bled the system on two different occasions and it stiffens up but after a short while the pedal goes back to soft.. I have new pads all the way around too.. anyone have a viagra solution to this issue?

Kinda sounds like a hose leak.
 






Yea mine are soft too. Only 20k on mine so I am sure the pads are fine.
 






Your local dealers can fix it.

09-1-6 JAN 09 Brakes - Poor Brake Pedal Feel

Make : FORD Model : EXPLORER SPORT TRAC Year : 2008
Manufacturer : FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Service Bulletin Number : 08-2-8 Date of Bulletin : FEB 01, 2008
NHTSA Item Number : 10024323
Component : SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK
Summary :
IMPROVED BRAKE PEDAL FEEL AND FIRMNESS. *NJ
 






What kind of brake fluid are you using? Silicone based fluid has a spongy pedal feel because it is more compressible than ordinary fluid. This is because silicone fluid has three times more dissolved air than glycol.
 






pedal

So there was a recall, what does the dealer do to address the problem.. and its not the silicone fluid btw..
 






IMPROVED BRAKE PEDAL FEEL AND FIRMNESS - BUILT BEFORE 5/31/2008

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN

Reference Number(s): 09-1-6, Date of Issue: January 26, 2009
FORD: 2006-2008 Explorer; 2007-2008 Explorer Sport Trac
MERCURY: 2006-2008 Mountaineer
Superceded Bulletin(s): 08-2-8, Date of Issue: February 4, 2008
Related Ref Number(s): 08-2-8, 09-1-6

ARTICLE BEGINNING

ISSUE
NOTE: This article supersedes TSB to update the part list and add a production fix date.


Some 2006-2008 Explorer, Mountaineer, and 2007-2008 Sport Trac vehicles built before 5/31/2008 may experience customer concerns with brake pedal feel or firmness.

ACTION
Follow the Service Procedure steps to correct the condition.

SERVICE PROCEDURE
1. Bleed the brake system using the anti-lock brake system (ABS) hydraulic control unit (HCU) bleeding procedure found in Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 206-00.
A. If the brake bleeding procedure resolves the concern, do not continue with this TSB and return the vehicle to the customer.
B. If the brake bleeding procedure does not resolve the customer concern, replace the brake pedal assembly.
2. Remove brake pedal assembly, Refer to WSM Section 206-06.
3. Install updated brake pedal assembly.
 






pedal

Wow! The whole pedal assembly? sounds strange but I guess it works..
 












No I haven't had the dealer fix it yet.. last time I brought it in all they did is adjust the brakes (whatever that means) and tell me nothing else is wrong with the system.. its a chronic issue that won't go away..
 






Yours goes in tomorrow morning I will keep you posted.
 






First I would replace brake fluid.

I like to replace brake fluid in all my vehicles every 24 months. Brake fluid attracts & retains moisture, which can give a spongy feel to the pedal plus the moisture in the brake fluid causes oxidation in the brake system. I, too, have an '07 Sport Trac. Just turned 30,000 miles & had fluid replaced w/my 30,000 mile service. Made my brakes feel great. I have not had the tech bulletin work done; didn't know about it. Thanks Heavymentill for that great bit of information!
 






Has any one replaced the brake assy?

I had the brakes bled, but it didn't help. The make a loud squeeking sound when pressed and is very soft. The TSB says replace teh brake pedal assy. Sounds expensive and only want to do if it works. Anyone have feedback on this? Thanks!
 






I had the brakes bled, but it didn't help. The make a loud squeeking sound when pressed and is very soft. The TSB says replace the brake pedal assy. Sounds expensive and only want to do if it works. Anyone have feedback on this? Thanks!


It does work had it done about 3 mo's ago.....
 






Thanks for your response. What kind of cost were you looking at? It seems like the brake booster is the problem, but can't find anything on what the actual brake pedal assy consists of.
 






I looked around online and found a TSB on some GM vehicles with what sounds like the same problem. It simply says to remove all the fluid from the Master Cylinder and replace with new DOT 3 fluid. It apparently worked great for a lot of people. I will try tomorrow.

" #08-05-22-002C: Squeak Noise on Brake Apply (Remove Brake Fluid from Master Cylinder and Refill) - (Apr 7, 2009)


Subject: Squeak Noise On Brake Apply (Remove Brake Fluid from Master Cylinder and Refill)


Models: 2004-2007 Buick Rainier

2008 Buick Enclave

2004-2008 Chevrolet Colorado, TrailBlazer, TrailBlazer EXT, TrailBlazer SS

2008 Chevrolet Malibu

2009 Chevrolet Malibu (VIN position 11, 4 Orion MI. build with Build Date Prior to April 20, 2009)

2004-2008 GMC Canyon, Envoy, Envoy XL, Envoy XUV

2007-2008 GMC Acadia

2008 Pontiac G6

2009 Pontiac G6 (VIN position 11, 4 Orion MI. build with Build Date Prior to April 20, 2009)

2007-2008 Saturn OUTLOOK

2008 Saturn AURA

2005-2008 Saab 9-7X




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This bulletin is being revised to update model years. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 08-05-22-002B (Section 05 -- Brakes).


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Condition
Some customers may comment on a squeak noise when the brake pedal is applied or when released. This noise is normally heard when the brake pedal is slowly applied with the engine on or off, but can occur when the brake pedal is released. The noise may be isolated to the master cylinder area.

Correction
To correct this concern, remove as much of the old brake fluid from the master cylinder as possible and refill with a new DOT 3 brake fluid, P/N 88862806 (in Canada, use P/N 88862807). Start the vehicle and fully cycle the brake pedal until the noise diminishes to allow the new fluid to enter the system."
 






They did it under warranty and thet replaced the brake assy.

IMPROVED BRAKE PEDAL FEEL AND FIRMNESS - BUILT BEFORE 5/31/2008
09-1-2 <<<<TSB number
 






I want to report that I had a problem with my brake pedal groaning and feeling like they were binding when pressed. I found a TSB on GM vehicles that said to replace the brake fluid in just the master cylinder resevoir. I bought a bottle of DOT3 Prestone fluid and a turkey baster (to remove the fluid) and completed in about 5 minutes and 5 dollars. The sound went away completly and the brakes feel much better. Just an easy suggesting if people have the same problem.
 






...I found a TSB on GM vehicles that said to replace the brake fluid in just the master cylinder resevoir...

Seriously? You thought a GM TSB applied to your Ford? Do you think your gas pedal is sticking too like Toyota? Get the H-E-double hockey sticks outta' here.
The bottom line is this. brake fluid is hydroscopic. Meaning it attracts H2O. It can do this through lines, through plastic bottles, etc. The soft brakes of the EX are adressed in the TSB. However longtime drivers of the EX and Ranger are familiar with the normally soft pedal of the beast.
Take your GM TSBs and other loose garbage elsewhere.
 



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Seriously? You thought a GM TSB applied to your Ford? Do you think your gas pedal is sticking too like Toyota? Get the H-E-double hockey sticks outta' here....Take your GM TSBs and other loose garbage elsewhere.
Really? People like you are the reason others dont talk or join on forums for help, congrats on being an a-hole. Apparently that TSB gave him an idea to fix his truck and it worked, so thats for the suggestion stangcbr
 






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