[Shotimes] brake spongy

[Donald Mallinson]

A really spongy brake pedal is not going to have anything to do with a 
coat of rust on the disks or anything on the pads.  That might effect 
braking power for a stop or two, but even really bad rust is gone after 
a very few stops.

You need to bleed the system completely with new fluid.  Just use Ford 
HD fluid or basic fluid.  Don't use anything exotic.

Check the pads to make sure they have some thickness.  Check that the 
slider pins are working and clean and re-lube them. 

If the system isn't working as expected then, you might need to bleed 
the master cyl separately or replace it.

Don Mallinson

Hartberger, Jason M. AT2 (AW) wrote:

>Hmm, yeah, I hadn't thought of that either. I made my wife drive it to
>work this morning (she doesn't have to get above 35 while I spend most
>of my time going to work above 65, brakes were fine from 35) but I'll
>make sure I scour the pads real good, too. I might even hit the rotors
>up with some sandpaper? Or would that be a bad idea?
>
>Jason
>
> 
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Dave Garber [mailto:dave.garber@comcast.net] 
>Sent: Wednesday, March 15, 2006 11:39 AM
>To: Hartberger, Jason M. AT2 (AW); Donald Mallinson
>Cc: shotimes@autox.team.net
>Subject: Re: [Shotimes] brake spongy
>
>Hell, the rust buildup on the rotors could be what your experiencing.
>How
>many miles have you put on the car since storage? With that kind of
>buildup,
>it could take a good 50 miles or so to not only wipe the surface clean,
>but
>also to get the debris burned off the rotors AND pads.
>
>At the very least, I'd put some easy miles on it and then disassemble
>each
>corner and clean the pads (the rust/grime will collect in the slot cut
>in
>the center of the pads, as well as create a buildup on the surface of
>the
>pads that will really diminish the pads ability to 'bite' into the
>rotor),
>caliper bracket, etc along with the flush others have suggested.
>
>
>Dave Garber
>Pittsburgh, PA
>99 White, 96k
>99 SF, 77k
>
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Hartberger, Jason M. AT2 (AW)" <hartbejm@cvn71.navy.mil>
>To: "Donald Mallinson" <dmall@mwonline.net>
>Cc: <shotimes@autox.team.net>
>Sent: Wednesday, March 15, 2006 10:51 AM
>Subject: RE: [Shotimes] brake spongy
>
>
>  
>
>>Ok, well, having not used the brakes at all and still having had the
>>spongy pedal, what does that mean? I mean, I was pushing it all the
>>    
>>
>way
>  
>
>>to the floor, and braking power was decent but certainly nowhere near
>>locking up. Did air get in somewhere? Did I lose fluid? I didn't think
>>to check the MC fluid level but I'll check it when I get back. I heard
>>    
>>
>a
>  
>
>>snapping sound when I first backed up but I assumed that was the pads
>>breaking contact with the (really really rusty) rotors (and my wife
>>    
>>
>had
>  
>
>>the parking brake on for 3 mos. too, so that probably got a little
>>    
>>
>rusty
>  
>
>>as well). Any ideas? I won't be able to check until I check out on
>>    
>>
>leave
>  
>
>>later today as I'm on duty right now. Thanks!
>>
>>Jason
>>    
>>
>
>
>.