Brakes feel like they are not catching barely stopping the van

BUBBASTUMP

MEMBER
2006 DODGE CARAVAN
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
189,000 MILES

Brake pedal was going to floor after I drive a few miles. Checked for leakes, none. Bleed brakes and still going to floor. I bench bleed master cylinder install new. Bleed brakes again. Now pedal is tight, but feels like brakes are not catching when I drive. I mean barely making van stop. Please help

6 Replies

HMAC300

MECHANIC
48,601 POSTS

You probably have air in the ABS unit. This happens a lot with diy. You need to go to a mechanic with a scanner able to open all valves on the ABS so air can be bled.

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Saturday, January 21st, 2017 AT 12:30 PM

BUBBASTUMP

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2 POSTS

I was bleeding from rear to front when I got to front passenger. Pedal got really lose and air came out. Pedal than had no resistance. We continued bleeding process and air continued to come out. After a few times pedal became hard again. Still feels like brakes are not grabbing. Is the wheel cylinder bad?

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Saturday, January 21st, 2017 AT 2:21 PM

HMAC300

MECHANIC
48,601 POSTS

It still can be an ABS problem not letting fluid go to that wheel. Try a power bleeder if still not working have a mechanic look at it.

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Saturday, January 21st, 2017 AT 3:35 PM

BUBBASTUMP

MEMBER
2 POSTS

I am poor. Going to mechanic not an option. Could the brake booster be the problem? I was going to to a few test to see if booster is good. Do you have any tips on checking it? Also, it was front passenger that the pedal lost resistance.

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Saturday, January 21st, 2017 AT 9:59 PM

HMAC300

MECHANIC
48,601 POSTS

Because it is one wheel it is not a booster it is more than likely the ABS. So try the power bleeder see if that is okay. Otherwise a mechanic needs to look at it you cannot drive it like that.