Squishy Brakes... what to replace?

[chrisb]

Getting my 93xlt back in shape for winter and the brake need a bunch of work.

They kind of work, but are so soft that they are unsafe... the pads and drums are long over due for replacing... I'll do that for sure.

My question is about how soft the breaks are.... Impossible to lock up/get the abs to kick in even when stomped on at speed.

What should I check? Any link to break repairs would be great.

Thanks, Chris

 

[CodePoet]

Do a search on how to bleed your brakes. There's prbably some air in the system.

Good luck
cp

 

[dman726749]

get yorself a haynes or chiltons repair manual, the best 20 bucks you will spend, it has diagrams and instructions on everything you could ever want to do to your truck

 

[CodePoet]

that's how i do all my repairs, I have the Haynes manual. A ford service manual, which you can get off ebay is even better than haynes/chiltons .

Good luck
cp

 

[mikeh]

Squishy brakes can be caused by water in the brake fluid.

The first thing I would recommend is to completely flush your brake fluid and replace with new. Haynes manual describes the procedure throughly.

When water gets in the system it is compressable and can lead to squishy brakes. Also water can boil and cause brakes to fail completely.

This is an easy and cheap repair but you need a freind to step on the pedal while you bleed the brakes.

mikeh

 

[Scott B.]

Also, check your brake lines. The rubber lines deteriorate over time. While they will not rupture (theoretically), the soft rubber can/will expand under hard braking, yielding soft pedal feel.

If they are more than 5 years old, I would suggest replacing them.

 

[unclemeat]

Adjust the rear brakes. Also check your vacumn lines and rubber gromets.

 

[DeRocha]

Squishy brakes can be caused by water in the brake fluid.

The first thing I would recommend is to completely flush your brake fluid and replace with new. Haynes manual describes the procedure throughly.

When water gets in the system it is compressable and can lead to squishy brakes. Also water can boil and cause brakes to fail completely.

This is an easy and cheap repair but you need a freind to step on the pedal while you bleed the brakes.

mikeh

Not exactly accurate.. I think your confusing Air and water. Air is compressible while water is not. You are correct in that Moisture can get into the brake system because brake fluid will absorb it directly from the air via the brake fill area above the Master cylinder. Moisture will corrode the brake lines and other parts of the system from the inside out... Brake fluid is clear, and turns dark when it contains moisture (as well as rust from rusting out the line). It is recommended that you replace your brake fluid every 2-3 years (by bleeding the brake @ each wheel). Never let the Master cylinder run dry as it will introduce air into the system which is a PITA to evacuate. Therefore when bleeding a wheel ensure the fluid is maxed out and check it often.

 

[mikeh]

Your right DeRocha. My Bad. However water in the system can cause problems. I know that it can boil and cause failure to brake. Anyway I would definitely do this first.