Brake pedal goes to the floor when car is started

Tiny
ROBERT STEFFEN
  • MEMBER
  • 1961 CHRYSLER WINDSOR
  • 6.7L
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 70,000 MILES
With the car off I have a firm pedal that does not drop over time with constant pressure. As soon as the engine is started the pedal goes to the floor. When I turn the engine off the pedal pushes back up and stays firm again. Have installed and adjusted rear drum brakes with new cylinders and shoes. Have installed new front rotors and checked calipers (no leaks) and pads. Bench bled and installed new mater cylinder Bled all four corners with a pneumatic bleeder and pulled 3 quarts of fluid through the system. No fluid leaks. Car will stop but no matter how hard I push the car will not brake hard. This has been the same issue since I bought the car. Front brakes are disc from a 1976 Chrysler, rear are stock drum. Booster, master cylinder and combo/proportioning valve are not stock, believe there are from a 1970's Chrysler a.
Sunday, May 5th, 2019 AT 5:22 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good morning,

This sounds like the booster itself.

I would also try pressure bleeding it instead of vacuum bleeding the system. Air can still remain in the line with vacuum even though you are pulling fluid due to the length of the lines.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-bleed-or-flush-a-car-brake-system

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/brake-pedal-goes-to-the-floor

Roy
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Monday, May 6th, 2019 AT 5:04 AM
Tiny
ROBERT STEFFEN
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Unfortunately, I do not have the tools necessary to pressure bleed the system. As for the booster, it's my understanding that a failing booster will make the pedal harder not non existent.
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Monday, May 6th, 2019 AT 6:31 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
That is one of the symptoms of a failed booster, but it could also cause a no pedal issue.

You can rent a pressure bleeder from a parts store for this procedure.

Roy
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Monday, May 6th, 2019 AT 6:52 AM

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