bacardi151

Have a 1996 1500 that I can't seem to get a brake pedal in. Replaced rear seals and bearings, brake shoes (all new components), brake pads and front brake lines, brake calipers, and master cylinder.

Any ideas on what else to check for. Pedal "hardens" until you start her up, then it floors again.

Thanks in advance.

maxxman04

the brake system is vacuum assisted, meaning it will feel hard until engine starts and it draws the vacuum it needs. it is possible that the vacuum booster, the big round thing master cylinder bolts to, could be shot. also tho, i assume you bled the entire brake system the right way, meaning starting at the furthest corner from master cylinder and working your way closer?

bacardi151

yeah, we bled and bled and bled...nothing. now that you mention it, it does seem like we pulled the vacuum hose off and we could then get a pedal. suppose that's what it is. thanks.

bacardi151

Okay, changed out the vacuum booster and still nothing. Should I consider changing out the EBCM? I can't figure out what else to replace or what could be wrong.

Is there a proportioning valve on this thing or does the EBCM replace that?

cooter26

there is a proporting valve, but i bet you didnt get all the air out when you blead the brakes. Get a clear tube poked trough a hole the cap of a clear plastic soda bottle, make sure the hose is submerged in new clean brake fluid 1/3 of the bottle, break farthest bleader loose and attach hose, close bleeder and have assistant pump brakes and hold with motor and key off. crack bleader untill pedal hits floor. Dont stop the process on that brake untill u see no more bubbles snd if the hose comes off without the bleeder closed you just let air back in. If you only changed the back and didnt run the resevouir dry you should only have to bleed the back 2. It takes a lot of bleeding to get all the air out.

bacardi151

it must. i've bled through 2 bottles of fluid. i'll keep trying though. thanks.

jwruss

It is possible that you were sold the wrong master cylinder, I had that problem on one vehicle.