Les Curren
U.S.A.
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Joined: 07/07/2001
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Recently I had a complete brake job. And by complete i mean complete. Everything was replaced with the exception of the dual master cylinder. And after a few battles with the installation shop they finally seemed to be ok. Now 1200 miles later they suddenly have changed,from a solid hard pedal to a semi spongy pedal. Upon application of the pedal it moves down about 1 inch freely. Than meets some resistance but will than travel an additonal three inches before meeting a solid hard pedal again. This final pedal will remain hard as long as you keep pressure on it. Pumping the pedal does not change anything. I thought maybe one of the chambers in the master cylinder was by-passing while the other held pressure but have been told that is not posible due to the equalazation valve. These brakes worked fine before the MH went into the shop but needed new pads. Now a $1000 later i have lousy brakes and nothing but excuse's to show for time and money. Need help here and to show how desparate i am i'll even accept guess's. Thank's, Les
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bacollins
Lawrenceburg, IN
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Joined: 11/21/2004
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I would be going back to the repair facility and demanding that the problem be corrected. If you have no confidance in the facility, go to a brake specialist and go after a refund from the original shop. From your description, I would say that there are air bubbles in the fluid and or the master cylinder is at fault.
Bill
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Kenneth
Washington, the state
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Joined: 03/20/2001
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Les,
Most states have a consumer protection agency that deals with vehicle repairs, often part of the Attorney General's office. Find out how to file a complaint in your state, and let the repair shop know that you are prepared to do so if they don't make things 100% right immediately. And do it!
Ken
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tom_kat
way upstate new york/lake george area
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Joined: 02/28/2005
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sounds like they need bleeding but if it was ok in the begining that may not be it,maybe the rear shoes need adjusting after you have driven it for awhile,the self adjusters maybe not working,
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Argosy24
MI
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Joined: 05/09/2003
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Have you checked the fluid level, it will tell you if you have a leak. Pump it a bunch and get under it and start looking if the fluid is low. If they replaced alot of parts it is possible 4 inches of travel might be bottoming out in the master cylinder.
Spongy should pump up if it has air.
Self adjusters could be a problem, new shoes/turned or new drums will wear in pretty quickly. If the adjuster is in backwards it won't work. That sounds like too much travel to quickly but.....
Equalization (proportioning) valve provides correct balance between front and rear brakes, the systems are not connected. If they were and you had a leak in one both would eventually fail pretty much defeating the purpose of a dual master cylinder. Could be an internal leak, do the brakes hold at all?
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grizzlygiant
Coeur d'Alene, North Idaho, USA
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Joined: 08/12/2004
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Spongy brakes USUALLY are an indication of air bubbles in the brake fluid. This could be from imporper/incomplete bleeding when the system was refilled or could bed from water in the fluid which produces steam = air. New fluid + porper bleeding probably will be the fix.
North Idaho
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Les Curren
U.S.A.
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Keneth; I am in the state of Washington. And it is true they do have a consumer protection act. But it is written in such a manner as to protect the business not the consumer. You as a consumer have the right to file a complaint and it will be forwarded to the business but if they choose to ignore it or simply say they don't believe they are at fault than the state atourney generals office will send you a letter saying that the law does not allow them to pursue this matter any further. But the fault may not lie with the shop anyway, since it did perform correctly for 1200 miles after they were finally finished.
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