I ended up "mud-Bogging" with my jeep however not on purpose, can you help?

Question

Here's what happened. I was feeling "jeepie" and decided to go off on some farm land. High grass, and sometimes a little sloshie here and there. I saw a trail that went off in the woods and looked challenging and it appeared that four wheelers have taken this trail so, my having a jeep, NO PROBLEM! I took this trail into the woods when now I'm confronted with what seemed to be mud puddles through-out the path. I have a jeep, NO PROBLEM! I guess I had too much faith in my jeep.The nose of my jeep sunk so fast however being in four wheel drive, I was able to manage a few more yards more which put me deeper in a tragedy! I'm spinning mud all over the place but ain't movin'. I was able to winch myself out one tree at a time so, this has been a long day. My only concern now is, my brakes are working very soft (spongy) like and hasn't gotten any better after 20 miles or so. What should I do if anything so I have normal breaks again? Thanx,

Answer 1

A good answer from Joe D, you had your fun, now it is time to clean up the mess! Layers of mud will wreak havoc on your undercarriage, every mud-bogger knows that if you play, you pay........for the car wash afterwards to remove all of the caked on mud in the undercarriage that is binding up the brake system. Take it to a local car wash and pressure wash all the crud out from underneath the vehicle and around your brake calipers, etc. It should return to normal.

Update: Why are these people recommending brake bleeding? No cause for brake bleeding unless you are leaking fluid or you opened up the brake system, neither of which should have happened on your 4-wheel adventure! Bleeding the brakes would be a complete waste of effort if mud is the concern.

Answer 2

Aw the joy of off roading. High pressure car wash is your friend or go out and buy a 1,500 psi washer 120volt at home depot. put that jeep up on four jack stands wheels off the ground. You have to get all the mud out of the ft. rotors and unbolt the rear wheels wiggle the brake drums off and clear the mud out of the rear brakes too after your satisfied every thing is clean put the drum back on and invite a friend over for a brake bleeding. You must keep adding fluid at the master cyl if you let it run dry you have to start over again. slowly have buddy in the truck push brake all the way down while you have the bleeder opened "bleeder screw" one at each corner on top calipers and behind at top of rear drums. can't find them more pressure wash. Have buddy hold on the floor close the bleeder repeat until all the air is gone or the fluid runs clear. left ft, right ft, left rear, and right rear is the order. bleeder is 1/4 inch 3/8, 5/16 inch or metric 10mm could be combinations of sized depending on year. Buy 2 qts. of dot three fluid.

Answer 3

Bleed them.
2 people.
One pumps brake as other opens nipple on caliper, and closes before 1 lets brake back up. Keep master cylinder full of brake fluid. Do all 4 wheels. Should be tight again. If not - mechanic.

Answer 4

If you have some of that clay-like mud stuck around the rotors, it may hamper operations of your brakes. Try washing this area down.

- Jeep Owner