Spongy brakes

[dxcivic88]

okay i have a honda civic 88 dx.my brakes feel spongy and low.i got my shoes done and my wheel cylinders but they still feel low.my brake fluid is normal and it appears not to have any leaks.what can the problem be?

 

[RonJ]

There's still air in the lines. Bleed the system again:

 

[dxcivic88]

yeah i think thats what it is i just bleed the rear shoes and not the front i think you are right thank you

 

[bizoneoeh]

could also be your rear wheel cylinders

 

[dxcivic88]

how can i tell?

 

[bizoneoeh]

how can i tell?

take off your drums to see if there's oil around the cylinders.

 

[dxcivic88]

okay i will keep you updated on the status

 

[bizoneoeh]

you can also just pinch the rubber brake line behind the wheel with a vise-grip to check the rear wheel cylinders. When you pinch the rubber line, the bake pedal will stiffen up when you press it down the if cylinder is bad. Obviously you would check lines one side at a time. I would be careful tho because the lines are probably old and they can break when you pinch 'em down.

 

[dxcivic88]

Okay my line broke already and I had to change that too.so I am going to try everything tomorrow and see what the problem is.

 

[bizoneoeh]

Okay my line broke already and I had to change that too.so I am going to try everything tomorrow and see what the problem is.

that could have been your problem originally. You could have had a leak in one of your lines. Some advice.... if your rear rubber lines are shot, more than likely you front lines are shot as well. I'd replace them all if I were you.


keep us updated tho!

 

[dxcivic88]

Yeah I will keep up updated and see what happens

 

[dxcivic88]

okay i bleed them and it is still the same.this is what happens,when my car is off you press on the brakes and it is hard.then when i turn the car on the brakes seem low.is that suppose to be normal???

 

[RonJ]

The pedal is softer with the engine running because engine vacuum provides brake assist through the booster. How far down does the pedal go with the engine running?

Did you bleed all four wheels in the order specified in the diagram. Did a buddy help you or did you use a one man bleeder kit?

Any leaks?

 

[dxcivic88]

the pedal goes like half way maybe a little less when you apply it...and a buddy help me but i didnt do it in the order i forgot

 

[RonJ]

My guess is that there is still some air trapped in the lines. You must keep the reservoir filled with fluid and bleed the wheels in order. It's better to use excess brake fluid than to leave air in the lines.

I use this tool. It costs about $4 at Harbor Freight Tools. Makes bleeding an easier one man job.

 

[dxcivic88]

okay thanks man