Brake problem on 94 taurus(all wheel disc)

[HOndaGuy]

Ok guys, I have been helping my dad fix his brakes on his 94 taurus. We replaced both sets of pads in front, and bled the front and back brakes(checked those also), and yet, we still have to pump the brakes a few times while driving to make it stop. We figured it might be the calipers, so we replaced both of the calipers on the front brakes, and bled them again. Thing is, we still have to pump it the same amount of times before it stops. Is there something we are doing wrong, or is it a master cylinder problem or something else?

 

[labman]

Try applying and releasing the emergency brake several times. In some designs, if the rear calipers are working correctly, that will adjust them giving you good pedal. If that doesn't help, have somebody watch each caliper while you apply the brakes. Calipers must move to apply the brakes, but shouldn't move hardly more than enough to see or feel. Any caliper that moves very far, isn't mounted right.

Some times bleeding is slow to remove the air. Air in the system gives a distinct spongy feel, not just low pedal. An adjustment problem will eventually give a solid pedal, air won't.

 

[Dan4510]

Also, a little known fact about front wheel drive cars is that you bleed brakes in an X pattern. Not both front and then both back.

The reason is that most weight is on the front and brakes are most stressed there. If front braking goes out, then having right front and left rear brake you keep the braking balanced so the car can be controlled.

Hope this helps.

Dan

 

[ChrisW]

How to check if the vacumm booster is good:

with the engine started, press on the brake pedal and hold then shut off engine; if the pedal doesn't move, then booster is ok.

with car off, pump pedal until firm, then hold and start engine; the pedal should move because of vacumm assistance from engine now being on.

You problem sounds more like the master cylinder is out, either that, or there is still air in the system. Get the system flushed by a brake shop (shouldn't be more than $40), and if that doesn't fix it, then get the master cylinder replaced, although you might as well replace if your going to do a flush so you don't have to pay for two flushes (the brake fluid should be included in the price of install for the new master cylinder).