When pressing the brake pedal there is a noticeable whoosh and the brake pedal goes all the way to the floor?

Tiny
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  • 1999 CHEVROLET VENTURE
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 222,587 MILES
When I press on the brake pedal, it makes a very noticeable whoosh and goes all the way to the floor. If I pump the brakes, it doesn't get any better. Keeps whooshing and going the floor. My mechanic has bled the brakes two or three times over the past year. It improves slightly for a short time. He says the brakes are good and that he was told in a course for safety inspection certification that early 2000 Chevys had a lower brake pedal clearance. I can't believe that "lower" means all the way to the floor. It makes me uncomfortable driving the vehicle. Any suggestions for what might really be the issue? I'm a senior citizen female without a lot of car knowledge but this just doesn't seem right.
Monday, March 3rd, 2025 AT 1:52 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
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Great user name BTW, this can be that you have a caliper slide that is seized, if the brake warning light is on the brake master cylinder is bad, or the brake booster needs to be replaced, to check the booster, with the engine off remove the vacuum hose check valve and you should here vacuum escaping. Here is a guide that will help explain everything you need to know about a low brake pedal:

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

This guide can help as well:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/discover-why-automotive-brake-pads-wear-unevenly

Please go over this guide and get back to us so I can send instructions on how to fix it.

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Tuesday, March 4th, 2025 AT 11:47 AM
Tiny
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Thanks for the reply. The brake fluid is good. No brake light on. I've taken it to my mechanic three times now. He bleeds the brakes, and the brake pedal comes up an inch or so for a very short time. He keeps telling me that he was told that 2000 Chevys can pass inspection with low clearance because of some defect or other. But this is No clearance!
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Saturday, March 22nd, 2025 AT 1:54 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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I would check the caliper slides, one sounds like it is seized. Also, if this car has ABS I would use a scanner to open the ABS valves which will help get the air out, please go over this video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQRnKyVyMuQ

Let us know how it goes

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Sunday, March 23rd, 2025 AT 9:38 AM

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