Master cylinder is only half full of fluid thus making the pedal spongey. Not showing signs of leakng around the master cylinder and all break cylinders show no signs of leaking. What happened to the fluid? Will replacing the the master cylinder solve this problem? It is a 2001 Chevrolet Tracker.
Thanks!
2007-11-30 11:39:18 · 9 answers · asked by everafter325 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
The master cylinder being half full is not the reason for the brakes being spongy, it is a sign of a bigger problem.
Either a) the brakes are severly worn, or worse b) you have a fluid leak in the system somewhere.
The master sylinder is probably fine, fix the underlying problems and all should be well.
2007-11-30 11:53:52 · answer #1 · answered by Michael H 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
On a disk brake system, which you have, as the pads wear the calipers do not retract as far after stops and that keeps more fluid in the caliper thus lowering the level in the master cylinder reservoir. Spongy pedal is a symptom of air or moisture in the system. One of the properties of brake fluid is that it attracts moisture. After a couple or three years it should be flushed and replaced with fresh fluid as the moisture will corrode the calipers and lines. If your fluid level is down to half you should check the pad thickness as they are probably pretty well worn down. Sounds like you're due for a brake job, to include flushing and bleeding the fluid.
2007-11-30 11:59:24 · answer #2 · answered by mustanger 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like you have a leak in the system. Just having the master cylinder half full will not cause a spongy pedal.....now if you have air in the system that would cause a spongy pedal. Being low on fluid and a spongy pedal is a sure sign of a leak somwhere or possibly worn brake pads or shoes. Good luck.
2007-11-30 11:45:52 · answer #3 · answered by chadicenhour 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
As your brakes wear,some fluid will be needed to top it off, as the level will drop because of displacement due to the fact when the brakes are new, there is room for only so much fluid, but as the brake pads-shoes wear down,more fluid will be needed to take up the space lost in the hydraulic system.The symptom you describe in itself is a normal wear related thing, but if you have allowed the system to become too low on fluid, that could be a cause for bleeding the brakes.Try topping the fluid off first before anything else, that should do it, but if not, you likely have air in the system and the brakes will need to be bled.
2007-11-30 11:59:54 · answer #4 · answered by Marty 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The loss of or absence of brake fluid is in the system trying to compensate for the wear of the brake pads and shoes. Also when the pedal is spongy it usually indicates that you need a brake shoe adjustment. If this doesn't resolve the problem then you have a much larger problem with the brake system it self.
2007-11-30 11:45:42 · answer #5 · answered by bearwabbitbearwabbit 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
the only problem i can think of is air in the lines
it is not the master cylinder seal because the symptom for that would be you having to pump the brakes a few times then they work
2007-11-30 12:17:14 · answer #6 · answered by 1999 Nissan Skyline GTR Vspec 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If its spongy you have air in the system. look under the carpet behind your brake pedal, i bet your master cylinder is leaking there.
2007-11-30 11:56:52 · answer #7 · answered by cblack6540 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Make shure you have the calpers on the right side the bleader should be on the top
call the car manafacture to find out about the master silander and ABS!!!!!!!!!! some need to be hooked up to a machene
2007-11-30 11:47:40 · answer #8 · answered by Need To know AKA bigmuddyfoot 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
bleed ur brakes ... sounds like they have air in them
2007-11-30 11:42:47 · answer #9 · answered by david d 2 · 1⤊ 3⤋