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Break NIGHTMARE! (pedal squishy & traveling)

Old Oct 20, 2023 | 11:53 AM
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mikemadeit94's Avatar
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Default Break NIGHTMARE! (SOLVED!)

As always, coming to the form with my tail between my legs praying someone here can save me again! lol very grateful for everyone thats helped me over the years solve a bunch of issues. Anyway long story short, the car has had a iffy pedal since I've bought it two years ago, seems like it has massive travel and very squishy. Maybe 25% pedal but when it engaged after the travel the car does seems to stop decently just feels sloppy and unsafe almost to the floor I would say. It first went to a local mechanic who inspected the system suggested a faulty master last year, I went ahead and purchased a used one w/ vacuum booster off of ebay on an apparent low milage part out (probably not my smartest idea buying such an important part used) he installs it, bleeds breaks, same thing squishy pedal & travel. Fast forward to this week I've been working on the car and I've done everything in my power and knowledge to figure this out to no avail. I've replaced rear calipers because they where a rusty mess and a bit seized, also new breaks and rotors in rear. Same thing upfront newer calipers and rotors all working correctly, breaks have 3/4 life left. There are no visible leaks on any of the lines, calipers, master cylinder, booster, ABS, & I am not losing fluid in the system. (Recently flushed by mechanic) I've since replaced the master cylinder again but with a rebuilt one from autozone. (Bench bled and followed instructions on install) then proceeded to bleed breaks in the correct order, no air bubbles clean fluid. Again same thing no difference in the pedal at all & and this point I'm at a total loss. My last thoughts suggested by the service manual could be a internally leaking ABS module because something weird is happening. With the car off I pump the break the pedal does firms up and does feel ALOT better, but if keep apply constant pressure it will basically sink to the ground! Signs of a bad master? But cant be I just swapped it out and its not weeping. Service manual suggests ABS assembly but no ABS light no check engine codes just a mystery BAS ESP that has also been on since I've purchased. The only thing that has not been replaced since I've started working on this is the booster (used one mechanic installed) but like I said no signs of leaks around it no rust does not seem to be weeping either! I'm going to dig around the site and see if anyone has some testing methods for it. In the mean time if anyone could give me a suggestion or where to go at this point I would greatly appreciate it!
 

Last edited by mikemadeit94; Oct 30, 2023 at 11:43 PM.
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Old Oct 20, 2023 | 12:05 PM
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Default Re: Break NIGHTMARE! (pedal squishy & traveling)

THAT is one used part I would never buy. You have spent time and money on an "unknown" part,, not a very good idea considering the complexity and time involved to change the part. How much money did you "save" over new? I can see buying used body panels or headlight housings - but you bought used what can be purchased new. WHY?

I also question if this guy bled the brakes properly.
 
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Old Oct 20, 2023 | 12:08 PM
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mikemadeit94's Avatar
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Default Re: Break NIGHTMARE! (pedal squishy & traveling)

Hey Pizza how yah been? Yeah I understand that now. Not my smartest move was in a bind at that time for cash and was just doing what ever I could to try to get back on the road. Looking back really stupid... yeah alot of time and money just throwing parts at it at this point like a moron.. I questioned if the guy installed the master correctly and bleed the breaks right as well, so I went ahead like I said and basically redid everything, got the master, bench bleed, then bleed in the correct order so at this point I'm really just lost.
 
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Old Oct 21, 2023 | 12:22 PM
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Default Re: Break NIGHTMARE! (pedal squishy & traveling)

Many people on the forum have complained about the brake peddle travel on the Crossfire. Yes, there is a good deal of travel , but if your car stops satisfactory you may be okay. No one to my knowledge has found a solution. One thing that may help the feel of the brakes is to try different pads. The ceramics are nice because they keep your wheels clean, but they definitely do not grab like a non ceramic pad.
 
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Old Oct 21, 2023 | 12:32 PM
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Default Re: Break NIGHTMARE! (pedal squishy & traveling)

Originally Posted by zip439
Many people on the forum have complained about the brake peddle travel on the Crossfire. Yes, there is a good deal of travel , but if your car stops satisfactory you may be okay. No one to my knowledge has found a solution. One thing that may help the feel of the brakes is to try different pads. The ceramics are nice because they keep your wheels clean, but they definitely do not grab like a non ceramic pad.

Thanks for the reply, I just refuse to believe this is normal it makes no sense at this point something has to be wrong. If this truly is how the pedal is supposed to feel I really don't like the response, the travel, anything about it really. I hope I'm not going down a rabbit hole I've never owned or driven one car where the break pedal feels like this. I heard about the ceramic breaks and actually just put them on, still sloppy as hell.. other then this the cars been fairly decent.
 
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Old Oct 22, 2023 | 01:41 AM
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JSK
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Default Re: Break NIGHTMARE! (pedal squishy & traveling)

I would recommend you drive another crossfire so you can compare to yours. I have 2 SRTs and a limited, and the SRT pedals seem a little lower to me than the limited. I don’t know which you have.
 
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Old Oct 22, 2023 | 03:25 AM
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Default Re: Break NIGHTMARE! (pedal squishy & traveling)

Could it be the flexi hoses need replacing as if old they could be 'balooning' rather than allowing brake fluid to travel straight through? I'm not too technically minded, but it was just a thought? Mine has long pedal traveltoo but up til now, I just put up with it.
 
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Old Oct 22, 2023 | 07:01 AM
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Default Re: Break NIGHTMARE! (pedal squishy & traveling)

Originally Posted by mikemadeit94
As always, coming to the form with my tail between my legs praying someone here can save me again! lol very grateful for everyone thats helped me over the years solve a bunch of issues. Anyway long story short, the car has had a iffy pedal since I've bought it two years ago, seems like it has massive travel and very squishy. Maybe 25% pedal but when it engaged after the travel the car does seems to stop decently just feels sloppy and unsafe almost to the floor I would say. It first went to a local mechanic who inspected the system suggested a faulty master last year, I went ahead and purchased a used one w/ vacuum booster off of ebay on an apparent low milage part out (probably not my smartest idea buying such an important part used) he installs it, bleeds breaks, same thing squishy pedal & travel. Fast forward to this week I've been working on the car and I've done everything in my power and knowledge to figure this out to no avail. I've replaced rear calipers because they where a rusty mess and a bit seized, also new breaks and rotors in rear. Same thing upfront newer calipers and rotors all working correctly, breaks have 3/4 life left. There are no visible leaks on any of the lines, calipers, master cylinder, booster, ABS, & I am not losing fluid in the system. (Recently flushed by mechanic) I've since replaced the master cylinder again but with a rebuilt one from autozone. (Bench bled and followed instructions on install) then proceeded to bleed breaks in the correct order, no air bubbles clean fluid. Again same thing no difference in the pedal at all & and this point I'm at a total loss. My last thoughts suggested by the service manual could be a internally leaking ABS module because something weird is happening. With the car off I pump the break the pedal does firms up and does feel ALOT better, but if keep apply constant pressure it will basically sink to the ground! Signs of a bad master? But cant be I just swapped it out and its not weeping. Service manual suggests ABS assembly but no ABS light no check engine codes just a mystery BAS ESP that has also been on since I've purchased. The only thing that has not been replaced since I've started working on this is the booster (used one mechanic installed) but like I said no signs of leaks around it no rust does not seem to be weeping either! I'm going to dig around the site and see if anyone has some testing methods for it. In the mean time if anyone could give me a suggestion or where to go at this point I would greatly appreciate it!
Have to ask you, when you replaced the calipers did you install them correctly. There is a right and left. With flex lines they can be mounted upside down. The problem is you will never be able to bleed them. Make sure the bleeder nut is facing up.

 
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Old Oct 22, 2023 | 10:43 AM
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mikemadeit94's Avatar
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Default Re: Break NIGHTMARE! (pedal squishy & traveling)

Originally Posted by JSK
I would recommend you drive another crossfire so you can compare to yours. I have 2 SRTs and a limited, and the SRT pedals seem a little lower to me than the limited. I don’t know which you have.
Unfortunately I'm the only one in my area with a crossfire. I've seen one other white one, but have no idea who owns it. I have the limited.
 
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Old Oct 22, 2023 | 10:46 AM
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mikemadeit94's Avatar
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Default Re: Break NIGHTMARE! (pedal squishy & traveling)

Originally Posted by chriscat32
Have to ask you, when you replaced the calipers did you install them correctly. There is a right and left. With flex lines they can be mounted upside down. The problem is you will never be able to bleed them. Make sure the bleeder nut is facing up.
Funny thing is now that you mention it, the calipers I purchased from orileys (they are Mercedes brand) I believe both of the nipples are at the bottom of the calipers? but even then I attempted to bleed the older OEM calipers that had the nipples at the top and the pedal felt the same.. (Before I changed to the new master cylinder) going to go out today and do some investigating thanks for the reply!
 
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Old Oct 22, 2023 | 10:47 AM
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mikemadeit94's Avatar
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Default Re: Break NIGHTMARE! (pedal squishy & traveling)

Originally Posted by Oldfogie
Could it be the flexi hoses need replacing as if old they could be 'balooning' rather than allowing brake fluid to travel straight through? I'm not too technically minded, but it was just a thought? Mine has long pedal traveltoo but up til now, I just put up with it.
Surly it could be a possibility, I'm going to try to eliminate that from the long list of trouble shooting today as well thanks.
 
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Old Oct 22, 2023 | 11:58 AM
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Default Re: Break NIGHTMARE! (pedal squishy & traveling)

Heres a picture of the break calipers, there like this on both sides.

 
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Old Oct 22, 2023 | 07:48 PM
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mikemadeit94's Avatar
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Default Re: Break NIGHTMARE! (pedal squishy & traveling)

Wow so I did install these backswords, I'm gonna blame that on ADHD and stress going to swap them and rebleed
 
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Old Oct 22, 2023 | 09:04 PM
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M60A3Driver's Avatar
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Default Re: Break NIGHTMARE! (pedal squishy & traveling)

Originally Posted by mikemadeit94
Unfortunately I'm the only one in my area with a crossfire. I've seen one other white one, but have no idea who owns it. I have the limited.
Are you close to New Jersey?
 
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Old Oct 22, 2023 | 09:51 PM
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Default Re: Break NIGHTMARE! (pedal squishy & traveling)

Originally Posted by mikemadeit94
Wow so I did install these backswords, I'm gonna blame that on ADHD and stress going to swap them and rebleed
Install them correctly and I bet your problem goes away.
 
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Old Oct 22, 2023 | 10:36 PM
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Default Re: Break NIGHTMARE! (pedal squishy & traveling)

I have to rebleed my rear calipers about every 3 years and the issue goes away. Those rear calipers would impossible to get the air out in that position. Good luck.
 
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Old Oct 23, 2023 | 02:23 PM
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mikemadeit94's Avatar
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Default Re: Break NIGHTMARE! (pedal squishy & traveling)

Quick update, swapped the calibers rebleed correctly the pedals a bit better to me it just still feels wrong or off. I'm going to attach a video by my break pedal can you guys tell me if this noise coming from the back of my booster is supposed to be happening? Is it weeping? Maybe this is just the travel of the car but I just cant imagine feeling like if I had to stop suddenly I would have to physically hit the pedal like a second earlier..
it almost feels like when i stop as hard as i can the pedal is bottoming out.
 
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Old Oct 23, 2023 | 02:24 PM
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mikemadeit94's Avatar
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Default Re: Break NIGHTMARE! (pedal squishy & traveling)

Originally Posted by M60A3Driver
Are you close to New Jersey?
Sadly not really.. im about 30 mins north of Pittsburgh, PA
 
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Old Oct 23, 2023 | 07:47 PM
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Default Re: Break NIGHTMARE! (pedal squishy & traveling)

Originally Posted by mikemadeit94
Sadly not really.. im about 30 mins north of Pittsburgh, PA
Ok. If you were closer you could have drove my car to have a comparison.
My pedal doesn't make that wheezing noise.
 
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Old Oct 23, 2023 | 07:55 PM
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Default Re: Break NIGHTMARE! (pedal squishy & traveling)

Thanks for the reply and checking yours! Im wondering if my booster is wheeping at that point but im also not sure how it actually functions to know..
 
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