Hey everyone. Hope you’re well.

Just spent the last two days with my car on jack stands (yes I know this is a long time, it was pouring rain the entire time)

I installed new front and rear rotors and pads, new front hoses, new front bearings and new front calipers. They all are sealed up good (lines and bleeders). I know I installed them correctly (I referenced the brake procedure pretty close to the top under the “Brakes” forum).
I used new crush washers, bled everything half decent (planning on doing it again with a buddy).

My pedal is quite solid when the car is off, but it feels much more sponge-y and soft now when the engine is running.
I haven’t driven the car yet, just put it back down and torqued the wheels. I’m honestly worried about it. I’ve done plenty a brake job (e46 325i touring, P2 Volvo S60 2.5t, 2010 Infinity G35, 2015 Subaru Outback, etc.) and I’m confident in my skills regarding the install, but I’m unsure of this one. Just looking for any advice. Should I go ahead and replace the MC and the booster? It’s not out of the budget. Bleed her again? Maybe try driving it? The pads might not have adjusted? Not sure. I’ve never worked on something this “old” before so maybe I’m just not understanding the system.

Thanks in advance.

 

Sounds like the master cyl ran dry during the process, and now has air in it that can't get out because of the angle it sits at in our cars, and needs to be taken off so you can "bench bleed" it, same as everybody else has to do when they let their MC run dry. Pretty straightforward, all in all.

 

Thank you. I’ll give that a shot.

 

The fact the pedal drops and feels spongy when you start the car tells me the booster is working fine. The rear brakes on these cars were junk the day they were made so 40 years later they aren't better. Did you check the rear calipers to see if they are working? Does the parking brake work> Activate the parking brake and see if the rear brakes hold and if the pedal is any better with the parking brake on. I would have replaced the rear calipers along with the fronts.

 

Appreciate the help yall it was the master needing to be bled. Took care of her this afternoon. I’ll be more mindful when bleeding them in the future for sure - to anybody bleeding their master cylinder, teflon tape the threads on your bleeder kit. Saves a huge waste of time and headache.
✌️

 

I would have if I knew they’d be such a pain but I would have had to wait a week for the calipers. Planning on upgrading to big brake kit once I run through these pads anyways.

 

Glad to hear it was that easy.

It's REAL common to have that happen. You're not the first by any means, and won't be the last. In most vehicles it isn't a big deal when it happens butt in these cars it's a mortal wound to the brake system.