Re: Spongey brakes?

Yousuf Khan <[email protected]> wrote:

> So I've noticed that my brakes are feeling spongey. I added extra brake 
> fluid, and it seems to have made it a little more responsive, but it's 
> starting feel like it's slowly going towards sponginess again. Could 
> there be a leak somewhere?

When parked, do you find brake fluid puddles under your car when you run
the car and pump the brakes?

Is the car old enough that the brake lines might've become soft, so they
will expand under pressure?  When I get my calipers replaced, I get them
to also replace the brake lines.  Tis easy 'nuff to ask the shop to
inspect the brake lines when doing other maintenance, like a brake
flush, tie rod or ball joint replace, checking the CV boots, or any
other work in that area.  The inspection is free.

You added more brake fluid, but that wouldn't eliminate any air that
already entered into the reservoir or into the lines (from loose brake
line connections or leaking from a worn caliper piston seal or
elsewhere).  Did you add more fluid while bleeding the lines (to get rid
of the old fluid and bleed out any air)?  You didn't replace the brake
fluid to do a flush, and old brake fluid gets "thin".

How worn are the pads?  The more wear, the thinner they are, the farther
the caliper's piston has to travel.  If it is sticking, travel could be
uneven.

Did you call your car shop to find out what they charge for a brake
system inspection, and describe the symptoms?