'98 Taurus Brake system
la-z-boy
04-04-2005, 09:45 PM
I just replaced brake pads for my 1998 Taurus and now when I push brake pedal goes all way down and brakes are weak. I assume that there is air in brake system. I tried to release air by pumping brakes and releasing air through air realising srew, but it doesn't work.
Somebody have some ideas?
Somebody have some ideas?
shorod
04-04-2005, 11:43 PM
I just replaced brake pads for my 1998 Taurus and now when I push brake pedal goes all way down and brakes are weak. I assume that there is air in brake system. I tried to release air by pumping brakes and releasing air through air realising srew, but it doesn't work.
Somebody have some ideas?
Did you open the bleeder screws when you changed the pads? If so, did you make sure to close the bleeder before the caliper piston was all the way seated? If you didn't close the bleeder screw soon enough, you probably do have air in your system, just as you suspect. If you did not open the bleeder screws to replace the pads, then it is less likely that you would have air in your system, but it wouldn't hurt to bleed/flush the brake lines anyway. If the fluid has been in your car for 6 months to a year, it is due for a change anyway. With ABS, you want to be sure to keep clean, dry brake fluid in your system. If you have moisture in your fluid, it won't take it long to corrode up valves and pistons in your expensive ABS pump.
How did you attempt to bleed the air out of the brakes? You really need two people to do it the way you mention. One person slowly applies the brakes and warns the other before they get to the end of the pedal travel. So, the person at the wheel would tell the person in the car to begin to slowly and uniformly press the brake pedal. Just as they begin to press, the person at the wheel should open the bleeder screw about 1/4 to 1/2 turn and use a clear hose to direct the fluid to a jar. The brake pedal will get soft at this point. Watch the fluid in the hose for bubbles. When no bubbles are seen, move to the next wheel and repeat the process. There is probably a recommended bleed sequence for this car, I'm not sure what it is. Possibly right rear, rightfront, left rear, left front. Also, periodically check the master cylinder to make sure the fluid level is not getting too low. If you run it dry, you'll have to start the bleed procedure over again.
Good luck!
-Rod
Somebody have some ideas?
Did you open the bleeder screws when you changed the pads? If so, did you make sure to close the bleeder before the caliper piston was all the way seated? If you didn't close the bleeder screw soon enough, you probably do have air in your system, just as you suspect. If you did not open the bleeder screws to replace the pads, then it is less likely that you would have air in your system, but it wouldn't hurt to bleed/flush the brake lines anyway. If the fluid has been in your car for 6 months to a year, it is due for a change anyway. With ABS, you want to be sure to keep clean, dry brake fluid in your system. If you have moisture in your fluid, it won't take it long to corrode up valves and pistons in your expensive ABS pump.
How did you attempt to bleed the air out of the brakes? You really need two people to do it the way you mention. One person slowly applies the brakes and warns the other before they get to the end of the pedal travel. So, the person at the wheel would tell the person in the car to begin to slowly and uniformly press the brake pedal. Just as they begin to press, the person at the wheel should open the bleeder screw about 1/4 to 1/2 turn and use a clear hose to direct the fluid to a jar. The brake pedal will get soft at this point. Watch the fluid in the hose for bubbles. When no bubbles are seen, move to the next wheel and repeat the process. There is probably a recommended bleed sequence for this car, I'm not sure what it is. Possibly right rear, rightfront, left rear, left front. Also, periodically check the master cylinder to make sure the fluid level is not getting too low. If you run it dry, you'll have to start the bleed procedure over again.
Good luck!
-Rod
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