Squishy brakes

Hey guys, so I just got everything together on my 2nd gen, and road test time, brakes are squishy and I know there’s no bubbles in the lines. Any idea on what’s going on? Do I need to change the master cylinder on it? I really don’t want to but I will if I need to (really don’t want to spend more money on her tbh)

 

What do you mean you "just got everything together"? We need some context here to understand what may be going on. For example, if you just installed new brakes, you can expect them to not work very well until the pads and rotors have been "bedded" and this can feel like a spongy pedal due to the increased pressure needed to achieve typical braking forces.

 

lol yes, so I changed the front brake lines and rear drum brake cylinders and of course I changed the pads/shoes while I’m there. I bled the lines and no bubbles. So I don’t know

 

I've yet to work on anything with drums so maybe there's something there I'm not familiar with. But otherwise, I'd make sure you test drive them long enough to get the pads bedded. Or, follow the bedding procedure provided by the manufacturer. If that doesn't solve the problem then it's time to start looking elsewhere. Brand new rotors + brand new pads will always feel like garbage (borderline dangerous) until the pads are properly bedded in.

 

it’s old rotors and new pads. Same with the rear…. I’ll dive it a bit and see if it gets better. If not I’ll look into the master cylinder…..

 

Even though you bled until no bubbles, it’s likely air is trapped in the abs modules. It’s very common.

A couple ways to solve the problem. Take it to a dealership or shop that has the necessary software to cycle the modules and get out the trapped air. Something some guys have been successful trying. Slam the brakes hard on a low traction surface like gravel or dirt causing the abs to cycle. Then bleed like usual. It might take a few times.

 

This^^^ air in the VSC/TCS system...need a specific scan tool to open all the valves and bleed them OR.....go drive on a gravel road, get up some speed, and stomp on the brakes activating the ABS system. Do this a few times. Also, make sure your rears are "dragging" when you put the rear drums on, and then adjust them again once you have bedded them in

 

thanks guys, I’ll go try that. I’ll take it to my buddies shop to scan and bleed the system. May be cheaper that way. Appreciate the direction

 

Update!! I got a scanner and pumped the abs system and it worked! Thanks guys. Crazy how everything is computerized these days. I’m so use to the old brake systems where there’s no abs and all I used was my leg pumping the brakes and it is done.

here’s the link I used.
https://youtu.be/nQRnKyVyMuQ?si=Vn7WMLLamxZyrDq3