SOFT brakes / SPONGY brakes 98T&C

[recall]

Searched the Grand caravan section as well and got a few ideas, none work however. Spongy brake/low brake pedal on 1998 T&C. Had front pads replaced, resurfaced rotors, back shoes replaced, resurfaced drums, adjusted the little wheel star on back brakes as well. Brakes stop fine, but pedal is not as stiff as on my 96 T&C. ON the 96, brakes seem surely planted and provide greater confidence in stopping. The 98 just seems too soft. Any suggestions? I did pump the pedal and pedal does firm up, but again not as hard as 96....... Mechanic says two different cars, two different feelings....I don't buy it. Thanks.

[eldiablo1100]

different cars will have different firmnesses

try bleeding your brake lines

[Fortyfied]

My '97 GC has the same problem. New pads, new master cylinder, fluid replaced, all by the dealer. No improvement. The brakes fade badly in the last half of a 75-0mph panic stop.

[RahX]

where were they replaced? i know at the dodge dealership i work at the cheapie pads that we have are horrible. one set works great, the next set is spongy, the next set the pedal is hard as a rock and youre not stopping. if the rears are adjusted and both the rotors and drums have a nice finish on them i would demand a different set of pads/shoes.

[Fortyfied]

Dodge dealer installed the pads. Variability in pedal feel just by changing pads? Didn't know that could happen. I think I'll toss the current pads in favor of a full set (front and back) of Hawk Performance pads.

[RahX]

trust me i didnt either until i started messing with the pads at our dealership.