Hi all. Today I changed my worn front brake pads. Now the pedal has excessive travel and feels spongy and soft.. Obviously a cause for concern. Any ideas what might cause this as all was well before..

 

Did you bleed the brakes?

 

+1 to bleeding the brakes.

 

Hi. I did not bleed the brakes. Pushing the calliper pistons back in I assumed that no air would enter. I merely took the cap off the fluid reservoir to allow fluid movement, which did rise as a result of the newer thicker brake pads. Do you think air could have been entrained somehow and that bleeding could rectify the problem?

 

Bleed the brakes. It's the easiest / cheapest first step and likely the fix to the issue. I had same issue and bleeding the brakes fixed the problem. Good luck.

 

Be sure to use low viscosity Dot 4 brake fluid that is what is recommended for the system that is in our cars, and you should never expose the brake fluid reservoir to the air for any length of time because it will absorb moisture from the air and lower its boiling point.

 

glad I found this. Just did front pads and rotors, exact same thing. Off to bleed 'em!

 

If the brake fluid has never been replaced now would be the time, also if it has a manual transmission bleed the clutch slave , it shares the same brake fluid

 

I have the spongy brake issue too, on an 06' that i just bought with only 20,000 miles on it.
did bleeding the brakes work for you?

someone suggested replacing the brake lines as the rubber can get spongy
it was suggested that they be replaced with the steel mesh re-enforced version

 

Bleeding the brakes is easy and cheap - just do it.
If that does not do the job, then you can look at other issues, like replacing brake lines - but IMO, there is no reason to go to the re-enforced lines, just replacing old lines should do it.

THis reminds me, in the new year, I think it's time for brake lines and hoses on my car. Fifteen years is enough.

 

If anyone is going to change over to braided stainless brake lines here's the part # for stoptech front 950.35001 rear 950.35500 changed mine a few years back, good quality price around $100 front & rear
https://www.partsgeek.com/ss/?i=1&ssq=950.35500

 

I agree the steel braided ones just protect the rubber from damage from flying debris to some extent. I noticed no difference in brake travel, remember the braided steel expands by taking up any slack in it and imprints itself into the rubber hose as well. Looks nice especially with plastic outer cover over the braiding.
My tip is to change the fluid and bleed the brakes.