Spongy brakes put on new brake calipers pads and roters on the front and new cylinders on the back of my 1995 mercury villager. I bled them but they are still reaally soft. what do i need to do to fix this?

Hello Patricia,

Have you checked the master brake cylinder reservoir for brake fluid loss?

I don't suspect the master cylinder as you have replaced it... but am more suspect of a leaking brake line or fitting which should have
been discovered when you had the system bled.

The only time I ever had a rear brake problem with a 2500 series Chevrolet was due to seized rear brake caliper guide pins...as your calipers are also new that is not your problem.

If your brake pedal feels spongy and travels to the floor board you have air in the system, a brake fluid leak or a failure in the power steering system, such as a broken hose, broken power steering pump drive belt, or failed pump, would result in a loss of pressure to both the hydro-boost and steering.

Find more information here:

. Hydro Boost Power Assist Systems Operation Diagnosis and Repair

DEPENDS WHAT PROCEDURE YOU USE TO REPLACE THEM.IF YOU PUSHED THE CALIPER PISTONS IN WITHOUT OPENING THE BLEEDER AND USING A **** CLOSED THE BRAKE HOSES YOU MANAGED TO SENT BACKWARDS THE FLUID INTO THE MASTER CYLINDER WHERE IS THE POSSIBILITY TO CAUSE THE SEALS ROLLING IN AND ARE NOT HOLDING PRESSURE. THE OTHER REASON IS EITHER YOU NEED TIME UNTIL THE BRAKES BED ON THE DISCS SURFACES.

The brake bleed may not have been successful. Always bleed the right rear brake first then the left. Next the front right and then the left. If you are using someone to work the brake pedal make sure they hold it down until you have closed the bleed nipple. Make sure you use a little hose on the nipple and into a jar with fluid in it to watch for the bubbles to stop. Make sure the master cylinder always has enough fluid in it.
There is a brake bleeding kit that can be bought, this makes the job a lot easier.

Sounds like the calipers weren't bled or weren't bled sufficiently. You should have a helper pump up the brakes. Then you should open one of the bleeder screws. The brake pedal should fall to the floor and air and/or fluid sould come out.. Close the bleeder before your helper lets the brake pedal up. If any air comes out repeat the process until only fluid comes out. Now repeat the process on the other caliper. Be sure to check the fluid level in the reservoir often to make sure it doesn't go empty.

If the car has Drum style rear brakes, make sure the adjustment is good. It takes a lot of fluid to activate them.
PS. I assume you did bleed the rears.

Hi:

Your Masre Cylinder needs bled or its only working for front r back:

#2- To much shoe to Drum Brake Clearance

So long as the brake booster is working, test it by turning on the engine, press the brake pedal all the way down, then shut off engine keeping your foot on the brake pedal, if the pedal comes up slightly pushing against your foot then the booster IS working.

Did you BLEED the brakes??????

Spongy means air present in the hydraulic system,I recommend check and recheck all of the brake system areas where air could enter(master cylinder,fittings,calipers,etc.)and bleed the entire system again.
Good luck !

Did you adjust the rear shoes out? If the rear drum brakes are out of adjustment they will give you a lot of pedal travel. If the pads are worn have no fear of that U-CLIP brake spring, just change one shoe at a time. Take the spring off one side, change the shoe, put the spring back on the post and do the same to the other shoe, no problem.

I just went to Brake Masters this morning and had them replace the Master Cylinder since I was experiencing the pedal very spongy and going to the floor. When they replaced the Master Cylinder and they gave me back the car, the brakes were still spongy and going to the floor. I addressed this to them and they took another look at it, but when I took it for a second time, the brakes were extremely spongy. It was almost like they gave me back my car in worst condition to when I brought it in. Can you help?