Brakes will not build pressure

Tiny
JJJ9170
  • MEMBER
  • 2004 DODGE INTREPID
  • 80,000 MILES
I replaced the front pad and rotors on the vehicle, and since then I have not been able to build any pressure in the system. I visually inspected the rear calipers as well, bled the system a few times with a brake attachment on a manual pump. Still no pressure in the system. I replaced the master cylinder, re-bled the system a few times, and I still have no pressure on the brake pedel, and it goes right to the floor.
Monday, September 12th, 2011 AT 12:45 AM

7 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
You need to re check your work on the front. Did the bolts holding the caliper go in ok? No crossthreading? If they are, it will tilt the wheel and no pedal.

Roy
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Monday, September 12th, 2011 AT 12:51 AM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,004 POSTS
MAYBE THE HAND PUMP, JUST AIN'T THE WAY TO DO IT

I NEVER HAD GOOD RESULTS, THE PROMISED "ONE MAN WAY"

WHAT ABOUT THE OLD FASHION WAY, TOWARDS THE BOTTOM OF THIS LINK

https://www.2carpros.com/questions/1999-ford-f-150-brakes--3

THE MEDIC
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Monday, September 12th, 2011 AT 1:10 AM
Tiny
JJJ9170
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  • 3 POSTS
Thanks for the responses. However, the front caliper bolts are not crossthreaded, and as far as the bleeding, I did it both ways. With the hand pump, as well as using an assistant, and doing it the old fashion way of having the assistant build pressure, and hold the pedal as I released the fluid and tightened up the bleeder screw. This was done many times on each wheel. I have clear fluid all the way through the system at this point.

Also, while bleeding the system up on stands, I could get some pressure to build up in the pedal, however as soon as I put the car back on the floor, and got into it, the pedal would go back to the floor with no pressure at all. This happened a few times.
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Monday, September 12th, 2011 AT 2:31 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
Try to clamp off each wheel one at a times to rule out a caliper or wheel cylinder. Clamp off the brake hose on each wheel. If there is still no pedal, then you may have a bad new master.
Be carfull clamping off the hoses. There are plastic clamps that will not damage the inside of the hose.

Roy
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Monday, September 12th, 2011 AT 2:52 PM
Tiny
JJJ9170
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Thank you for the help. It pointed me in the right direction. One of the calipers was not sitting properly on the mounting bracket causing it to bind up rather than slide. I removed the caliper, lined it up properly, and now I have great pressure in the brakes. Glad I actaully screwed up, and ended up replacing the master cylinder. There were signs of leaking on the back of it.

Anyways, thanks for the advice.
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Tuesday, September 13th, 2011 AT 12:53 PM
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,761 POSTS
Did you ever have the calipers completely off the car? If so go look and see if the bleeder screw is above or below the inlet hose.
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Tuesday, September 13th, 2011 AT 1:31 PM
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
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Disregard my post. I didn't see you had it resolved.
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Tuesday, September 13th, 2011 AT 1:33 PM

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