air in brakes?

[Pimpin Dsmstyle]

My question is this; Why can i push my brakes down half way before they actually work? Here is the scenerio : I broke my passenger side brake ( a pad busted off) and i went to brake equip / supply and picked up a new rotor and new caliper loaded with pads for 74 dollars. I removed the other broken brake setup and installed this new one. I bled just that one brake. Later i refilled my res. for my brake fluid. The little rubber black thing under the cap fell off and i just threw it back on. Later i realized that there is a certain way to put it on. So i put it on right and it didn't do anything. Ideas or suggestions anyone*? This is a 1990 plymouth laser FWD turbo make is Feb. ( small brakes, still disk)

[TheBlizzard]

Your master cylinder could be on its way out. But before you replace that, I would re-bleed your whole brake sytem again.

CRAIG

[jdr_fatbob]

If you bleed the brakes ive heard that your supposed to bleed them all to get a better effect. You are also supposed to keep refilling the resevoir while bleeding the brakes. Maybe im getting this wrong but this is what i was taught in school.

[Pimpin Dsmstyle]

That would make sense. All of the brakes run off of the same system so i could just have air some where else in my lines right? When i go home, i will bleed all of the other brakes as well and see if there are any improvements. Thank you for relocating my thread.

[1QUICK4]

Have a friend help you.

Start at the back right, then do the back left, then the right front, and then finally the left front. Make sure you don't run the resevior low while bleeding or you'll have to start all over.

[JET]

It can also be hard to get the air out of a new caliper. I have had to bleed brakes 4 times before I finally got the air out. Driving in between the bleedings helps to work the air around.

[Pimpin Dsmstyle]

So I should start by doing all four, right to left and back to front? And drive it when I'm done, then repeat this until im satisfied with how they feel?

[TheBlizzard]

Yep, and if it doesn't fix it, then start looking elsewhere. Like master cylinder or lines.

CRAIG

[Pimpin Dsmstyle]

Well something tells me that it has to do with the installation of the new parts I installed. It simply wasn't like this at all before. If nothing else, they were touchy before I performed this "surgury." So i really hope it's not the master cylinder or the brake lines!

[EclipseGST]

How many people did you have helping you bleed the brakes? Usually you need 2 people unless you have the tool (pump) to bleed them. Just incase you didnt know or were doing it wrong, you have to push the brakes and hold it, open the bleeder valve, push the pedal to the floor and hold it again. Tighten the bleeder, pump the brakes and repeat as needed. Do that to all 4 brakes for best results. Hope it helps.

[Pimpin Dsmstyle]

Yes, I know how to bleed brakes properly. I just didn't think about the fact that all four brakes run off of the same lines! I am going to do it exactly as i was told and see how it works out. I'm a bit lazy so I will be waiting to do this.

[Pimpin Dsmstyle]

I know this should't happen. I have not bled my brakes since i put my brakes on and they seem to be getting better. I dont know how the hell that works. Anyone have an idea? My guess is that means the air is getting OUT some how. That can't be good.

[Matt D.]

Liquid is heavier than air. You do the math.