My truck currently has just over 200,000 miles on it. I replaced the front brake pads today and now the pedal seems to be a lot softer than before replacing the pads. It will not lock up the wheels or set off the ABS while pressing the pedal as hard as I can. Is there anything short of replacing the master cylinder and booster that can be checked? It has a 350 w/ manual 5 speed tranny and 4x4. Thanks - 69rrvert

 

I posted this in the wrong section. I reposted the same thread in the "general tech" section so feel free to delete this thread. Thanks - 69rrvert

 

Hey 69rrvert,

Welcome to the Chevy forums.

Captain Obvious here, did you carefully bleed the system? As the brake fluid gets older it develops moisture and starts to degrade inside the lines forming air bubbles. These bubbles, unlike the hydraulic fluid they displace, easily compress, causing a spongy pedal sensation and loss of braking power.

 

did you even do anything with the fluid when you changed the pads? whats the fluid level look like?

 

New pads are less efficient then old ones. Gradually as the pads seat in the pedal will return to normal providing that is what is going on. Also 95% of the time low pedal on those trucks is caused by improperly adjusted rear brakes.

 

I did the same thing I have always done. Use an old pad and a c-clamp to push the piston back into the caliper. The fluid level is full. I guess I need to put my pump on the bleeders and see if there is any air in the lines. Thanks - 69rrvert

 

I did not do anything with the fluid. Maybe it needs to be replaced. Thanks - 69rrvert