GM Drivetrain & Suspension Chassis | Transmission| Driveshaft | Gears/Rear End/Differential | Traction Aids

Spongy Brakes !!

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 11-03-2006 | 12:20 PM
  #1  
fake_usa's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 339
Likes: 0
From: Jersey
Red face Spongy Brakes !!

Brakes feel like **** lately.
Back rotors looked like they were wearing a little funny so I replaced them and installed ne pads as well.

Front brakes look good and so do the pads.
I'll probably end up replacing pads and rotors up front as well.


Here are the problems I'm having.
Brake pedel is spongy and I can push it to the floor if I'm coming to a stop from a long stop.

EXAMPLE: if I brake with medium to light pressure from 65 to 35mph, then slam on the brakes from 35mph to zero the brake pedel can be pushed litterally to the floor and the abs does not kick in and the brakes do not lock up.

I'm guessing I have to bleed the brakes. To my knowledge it's never been do and the truck has over a 100k on it.

How hard is this to do and how long will it take?
What are the step to bleed brakes on this truck?

Thanks guys...
Old 11-03-2006 | 12:30 PM
  #2  
SierraSport's Avatar
Launching!
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 281
Likes: 0
From: Dripping Springs/Round Rock , TX
Default

I will to beat that somehow you have air in your lines -or- the booster is bad ..
Old 11-03-2006 | 01:56 PM
  #3  
silver-mod-o's Avatar
Hunt&Fisherator
iTrader: (15)
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 14,314
Likes: 17
From: SETx
Default

try bleeding them... that would probably be the best place to start
Old 11-03-2006 | 06:41 PM
  #4  
Bish's Avatar
TECH Apprentice
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 392
Likes: 0
From: Chicagoland
Default

Originally Posted by silver-mod-o
try bleeding them... that would probably be the best place to start
Definitely bleed them first. Brake fluid will accumulate moisture during normal use. Moisture will boil when brakes are used. I bleed mine every year whether or not they need it. I also use a power bleeder which makes it a 1 man operation. If you still have a spongy brake pedal after bleeding, look into the master cylinder.
Old 11-03-2006 | 06:52 PM
  #5  
pewter00's Avatar
On The Tree
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
From: Moore, Oklahoma
Default

mine was doin that a couple months back and it turned out i just needed to replace a washer by the caliper or somethin.. my dad is the one who fixed it because i wasnt home and he drove my truck and was like wtf.. and changed it.. and thats all the info i got from him
Old 11-03-2006 | 07:41 PM
  #6  
fake_usa's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 339
Likes: 0
From: Jersey
Default

Originally Posted by pewter00
mine was doin that a couple months back and it turned out i just needed to replace a washer by the caliper or somethin.. my dad is the one who fixed it because i wasnt home and he drove my truck and was like wtf.. and changed it.. and thats all the info i got from him
hmmm....
Old 11-03-2006 | 08:50 PM
  #7  
Bish's Avatar
TECH Apprentice
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 392
Likes: 0
From: Chicagoland
Default

Originally Posted by fake_usa
hmmm....
If it is a crush washer, it would likely seep a little brake fluid if it was leaking. There are two copper crush washers on each side of the banjo bolt holding the brake line to the caliper. Easy to replace if you suspect one is leaking. If there was no wet spot on the caliper, I'd probably leave it alone and bleed first.
Old 11-05-2006 | 12:09 AM
  #8  
fake_usa's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 339
Likes: 0
From: Jersey
Default

Well I tried bleeding the brakes, got them all done besides the back driver side,, I stripped the bolt head on the bleeder, god dam 10 point open ended wrench !!!
then I tried getting it with a 6 point socket and stripped the mother ****** round !!
lost my medium sized vise-grip so I proceeded to strip the bolt down to a round nub with my small vise-grip.. lol !! unbelievable !! ...and brakes are still spongy lol **** me !!
Old 11-05-2006 | 01:31 AM
  #9  
TECH Junkie
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,197
Likes: 0
From: Spring, TX
Default

Originally Posted by fake_usa
Well I tried bleeding the brakes, got them all done besides the back driver side,, I stripped the bolt head on the bleeder, god dam 10 point open ended wrench !!!
then I tried getting it with a 6 point socket and stripped the mother ****** round !!
lost my medium sized vise-grip so I proceeded to strip the bolt down to a round nub with my small vise-grip.. lol !! unbelievable !! ...and brakes are still spongy lol **** me !!
Thats pretty normal for that year truck. The GM brakes have really never been all that. My brothers 01 Z71 brakes act the same way. No leaks. Bled brakes to no avail.
The cheapest fix is a rotor & pad upgrade. I used power slot rotors and Hawk Performance brake pads on my 2000 ECSB 5.3 Silverado. Made a huge difference.
Ended up placing some on bros truck as well. It helped a lot too.
That would be your best bet to better braking without breaking the bank.
Do what you want, but that's what I'd do unless you want to spend several grand for larger rotors and 2-6 piston calipers.

Jim
Old 11-05-2006 | 12:16 PM
  #10  
fake_usa's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 339
Likes: 0
From: Jersey
Default

I just order some rotors off ebay, R1 Diamound slot / cross drilled with zinc coating.
They we only 15 bucks more then the cheep china replacments at strauss auto.
I would have liked to get a name brand but my budget is a little tight right now.

I wish I could get that last bleeder opened, anyone have any ideas?



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:31 PM.