Brakes slowly to the floor...2008 Taurus...help

[babewk]

I have a 2008 Taurus.
A while back I noticed that the brakes were a little "soft"....it had been about 2 years since last brake job, so I assumed that was the issue.

I replaced the pads and rotors.....still had the same feel.
I had my mechanic check it out.....he clamped the brake lines going to the calipers and said it held pressure....but when any one was unclamped, the brakes went soft.

Note...NO leaking fluid.

Mechanic said that ruled out the master cylinder, and told me I needed all new calipers.
I replaced all of the calipers....NO CHANGE.

When the vehicle is not running, the pedal stays firm....once the vehicle starts, the pedal will depress easy....and stop the car. If I continue to press the pedal, it will continue to depress, and eventually stop near the floor....

The brakes have been properly bled until no air-bubbles.....note the fluid is a bit darker, a light brown in color.....

Any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated....trying to do this myself, but I may be in too deep.

[shorod]

It seems to me that the issue would likely be either still some air remains in the brake system, or you have worn brake hoses that are expanding more than they should. That's assuming the shop clamped the hoses close to the metal line rather than close to the caliper. Of course clamping the hose tight enough to restrict flow may have damaged the hose anyway....

-Rod

[Willyum]

What kind of mechanic "clamps" the brake hoses?