Soft pedal after new brake pad

Posted By: barracuda7

Soft pedal after new brake pad - 05/12/11 04:30 PM

Sorry guy, I have question about Chevy but I can solve it, I hope your expert able to help.

Friend of mine call, said his 2004 Tahoe pedal soft after replace all new brake pad. Never happened before.

I came to check, turn key pump pedal couple times, still soft so I guess there no need bleeding the system?

Search over the internet, seem like this is common with Chevy and no-one really have an idea how to fix it.

Any suggestion would be very appreciated.

Posted By: RemCharger

Re: Soft pedal after new brake pad - 05/12/11 04:47 PM

You need to drive it and break the pads in.

Posted By: barracuda7

Re: Soft pedal after new brake pad - 05/12/11 04:57 PM

Quote:

You need to drive it and break the pads in.

Hi Rem,

This problem occurred 3 month ago and still. My friend drove the car for a while, brake work okay but just soft feeling. It was firm before.

Could it be the Master Cylinder bore worn out?

thanks

Posted By: RemCharger

Re: Soft pedal after new brake pad - 05/12/11 05:00 PM

Yes its possible. First I would try and bleed the h3ll out of it to make sure thats not the problem. Discs on the rear? If drums, they could very well need to be adjusted.

Posted By: wvmarv

Re: Soft pedal after new brake pad - 05/12/11 08:44 PM

Quote:

Yes its possible. First I would try and bleed the h3ll out of it to make sure thats not the problem. Discs on the rear? If drums, they could very well need to be adjusted.

If the system had a small amount of air in it you would be able to pump the pedal which would compress the air and get a hard pedal. The same would happen if rear drum brakes were out of adjustment. If you can't pump the pedal and make it feel more firm I don't know what to tell you. If it has rear disc check and see if there is any space at all between the pad and rotor.

Posted By: 1968RR

Re: Soft pedal after new brake pad - 05/12/11 10:12 PM

Make sure that the pads are properly seated (i.e. that they aren't "off the track"). This can cause your brake fluid reservoir to overflow and the brakes to feel really soft after a pad change. Don't ask me how I know...

Posted By: barracuda7

Re: Soft pedal after new brake pad - 05/12/11 10:16 PM

Quote:

Quote:

Yes its possible. First I would try and bleed the h3ll out of it to make sure thats not the problem. Discs on the rear? If drums, they could very well need to be adjusted.

If the system had a small amount of air in it you would be able to pump the pedal which would compress the air and get a hard pedal. The same would happen if rear drum brakes were out of adjustment. If you can't pump the pedal and make it feel more firm I don't know what to tell you. If it has rear disc check and see if there is any space at all between the pad and rotor.

Its rear disc, I will check those pad later.

Btw, what are symptoms of Master Cylinder worn out? Pedal go to floor? bubble in reservoir when applying brake etc..???

Posted By: buildanother

Re: Soft pedal after new brake pad - 05/12/11 10:31 PM

Normally a bad master will have the sinking pedal while stopped or stopping. They can also leak out of rear of piston, into booster or down the firewall.

Posted By: RapidRobert

Re: Soft pedal after new brake pad - 05/13/11 02:17 AM

Quote:

Make sure that the pads are properly seated (i.e. that they aren't "off the track").

Start w a good visual on the pads/calipers as all was good until pad ch

Posted By: RemCharger

Re: Soft pedal after new brake pad - 05/13/11 05:08 PM

If you clamp the rubber brake hoses, you will quickly determine if the problem is m/c , or brake assemblies. The pedal should be rock hard.

Posted By: barracuda7

Re: Soft pedal after new brake pad - 05/14/11 03:55 AM

Quote:

If you clamp the rubber brake hoses, you will quickly determine if the problem is m/c , or brake assemblies. The pedal should be rock hard.

Whats an idea!! I will try that but how would you clamp/lock the rubber hoses without damage it??

Posted By: RapidRobert

Re: Soft pedal after new brake pad - 05/14/11 03:59 AM

vice grips w a folded rag on the serrations & just the right amt of width (sneak up on it)