1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Logo
Posted on Jun 18, 2009
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I just replaced my front rotors, pads, and calipers on a 98 olds achieva. After doing this I bled the the front brakes but am now experiencing a very soft pedal. I am wondering if something else could be wrong or if I didn't bleed the brakes enough(I did it about 10 times each on both sides)

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Ned C Cook

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  • Chevrolet Master 3,433 Answers
  • Posted on Jun 19, 2009
Ned C Cook
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New pads will give you a softer stop. If you have doubts about air in the system, Gravity bleed. No pedal pumping. Make sure the master cylinder is full, leave cap loff. Do rigt front first. Open bleeder slightly and watch. Let drip until bubbles stop and fluid is steadyclose bleeder. Check m/c and toop off. Then repeat process on left wheel. If you bleed all four, start at the right rear, then left rear, right frt, left front. Keep the master cylinder full or you'll get air back in the system. When done, top off and cap M/Cylinder. Tap your brake lines while bleeding to shake any clinging air bubbles.in the line. -- good luck.-Ned One last thing. Make sure you haven't shifted the proportioning valve. After everything is buttoned up, tap the rear drum with a wrench then have someone apply the brake and tap drum again. First taps will ring and second taps will sound solid. Rear brakes working if both thud. you can do the same with front. tap the rotors.- if it all cks out good road test using caution until all is confirmed. Break in new parts with light stops, no hard or high speed stops if avoidable.

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  • Master 957 Answers
  • Posted on Jun 18, 2009
Anonymous
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Because of the ABS system if you press the brake pedal with too much pressure then it will give you the illusion of a soft pedal. Does it feel like a soft pedal when the vehical is in motion and you then press on the brake pedal (normal)? The other thing is if your pads and/or caliper were frozen, when you changed them out. The brakes are not going to feel or brake exactly the same, after the repair. But you are there, if the pedal is real low or goes to the floor then there is still air in the system or for some reason, your master cylinder is defective.

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This isn't likely to be your problem considering you have bled the brake and probably had a good delivery of fluid. Considering the caliper is new and presumably has a good fluid delivery to it there seems no reason why the caliper doesn't move out and grip the rotor as it should.

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http://www.fiverhope.com/category-4-b0-Brake-caliper.html
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How can I change the rotors and brakes on a 2006 Cadillac?

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brake_pads_rotor.jpg
Front Wheel Drive Brake Assembly
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brake_pad_set.jpg
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remove_brake_caliper.jpg
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After removing the primary caliper mounting bolts lift the brake caliper off of the rotor and then tie or secure to the side, being careful not to bend or kink the brake caliper flex hose. Thoroughly inspect brake caliper and brake hoses for leakage, cracks or chaffing and replace as needed. Next remove the brake pads (If not mounted in the caliper) and secondary caliper mounting bolts. Notice how great protective gloves work, most technicians use them on the job today.
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remove_brake_pads.jpg
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All new brake shoes on 97 jeep front callibers still sticking

The problem lays with the Caliper itself and/or the brake hose connected to the Caliper.
However if you replaced the pads, did you also replace the Rotors or have them Turned? The old pads wear the rotor. New pads on old rotors that have not been replaced or turned may end with rubbing or stuck brakes.
A simple way to test whether it's one and/or the other:
1. Remove the Caliper from the rotor, remove the pads. Keep for now the caliper attached to the brake hose.
2. Very slowly push on the brake, exposing more of the piston out of the bore. Not all the way. Usually until the rubber dust seal/boot is fully extended.
3. Check the seal/boot for cracks and tears, and if clean or not. Bad seals may prevent the piston from re-seating.
4. Using a c-clamp and pushing straight in: Try repushing the Caliper Piston back into the Caliper Bore (the cup back into the hole). It should go back in realitively easy.
5. If it doesn't go back in easy: Again slowly pump the brake and re-push the pistons back out to full extended seal/boot (but not the piston out of the bore).
6. Detached the brake hose from the caliper.
7. Again using a c-clamp and pushing straight in: Try again to repush the caliper piston back into the bore without the hose attached. If it goes back-in relatively easy - the caliper is okay...it is the brake hose.
8. If the caliper piston does not go back in easily - Replace the caliper.
9. When Installing the new (reman) caliper, remember to bleed the brakes.
TRY EITHER OR #10 OR #11 BELOW:
After the new Caliper is reattached to hose and has been bled:
10. Again push on the brake petal to fully extend the caliper piston fully (rubber seal/boot fully extended) Again do not push the piston out of the bore! Try pushing the piston back into the bore. If it does not re-seat relatively easy: Replace the brake hose.
11. Another method: After replacing the new caliper back on the rotor: Assumng the entire front end (2WD front wheel drive) or entire vehicle (2WD rear wheel drive) or (4WD all the time) is jacked up off the ground
a. Put the lug nuts back on the rotor.
b. Have helper Start the vehicle and place in Drive. Don't step on gas!
c. Have then let off the brake and then engage the brake.
d. When they let off the brake watch to see if the Rotor is turning or not, if rubbing or not. Or if still sticking.
e. With a new caliper, turned or new rotors, and still a problem? It is the brake hose!
12. Replace the brake hose and try again.

Another method but more expensive:
OR Replace the calipers, brake hoses; bleed and test!

If this helped or not; or if you need additional help or have addtional questions let me know on fixya.com!
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Pistons in both front calipers stay out, both calipers replaced

You may have a leak in the booster or master cylinder. You can put a pressure tester on the system to test for leaks. It does sound like you have an air leak.
You can try to bleed the master cylinder, then slave cylinder, then brake lines.
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Brakes to the floor 99 blazer

probably need to be bled again on that side
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Very easy. Jack up the front of the car and support it with two sturdy jackstands. Remove the front wheels. To the brake fluid nipple on the caliper (the part that squeezed the pads against the rotor), attach a small tube leading to a drainpan, open the nipple, and push back the brake pads from the rotor with a broad screwdriver. Close the nipple. Be careful not to damage the pads if you are not replacing them. (It would be wise to replace the pads when you replace the rotors, though).

Two bolts hold the brake caliper onto the steering knuckle. Remove both bolts, preferably with an impact wrench, and remove the caliper. On some cars the bolts have indented 10mm hex-wrench heads rather than standard bolt heads, so you may need to acquire a new tool. Be careful to support the caliper so you do not damage the hydraulic brake hose. Slip the old rotor off the studs and replace it with your new one. New rotors are packed in oil which will damage your brake pads, so clean the new rotors with vinegar before installing them. Replace the caliper and pads. Check to see you have sufficient brake fluid in the master cylinder reservoir before operating the vehicle. If the brakes seem at all spongy, bring your car to a qualified mechanic to inspect your work and to bleed the brake hydraulic syatem. Always do both front rotors, never just one. Otherwise, your car will **** violently to one side when you brake.
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