swizz977

how do i fix the brake pedal when i press it it has to go so far down before it actually starts braking its so annoying 92 hatch

Ronnoc74

When was the last time you bled your brakes?

SeanK325

probably air or dirt in the lines.

grumblemarc

iTrader: (4)

Do the pads need changing?

pwebb0207

could be air in the lines, fluid leak or fluid bypass.

Carfanatic

air, or low brake fluid for sure.

John Galt

What happens if you pump the brake pedal? Does it engage earlier?

k20jonny

check the brake pads before you do anything. could be as easy as a brake job. other than that i would bleed the brakes

swizz977

yea it engages a little earlier why?

95EG2

low brake pads does not cause a low brake pedal... possble air in the line(try bleeding first) if not master cylinder going bad

strategy400

I would agree, but it always seems like my pedal is higher/firmer after a pad change.

Libertariat

I agree. It could either be the brake pads being nearly gone, or there being air in the lines.

DaOne54

the master cylinder adjustes the fluid as the break pads wear.
there is enough brake fluid in the master cylinder for ALL the brake pads to become completely worn(if you're not low on fluid). So the pedal travel shouldn't be affected as the friction material get thinner. (unless they are completely worn down lol)

My bet would be your brake fluid is contaminated.
it should be clear or amber in color.. If its a dark color you should really bleed your brakes.

Brake fluid needs some love too, not just your engine oil.
I was told brake fluid should be changed every 3 years on our hondas.

John Galt

Because I had the same problem. I did everything including new pads, fluid change and bleed. Problem still happened. I suspected the brake master cylinder was leaking internally. Honda service said they've never heard of one failing in that manner. Since it was the only thing I really suspected could be the cause, I replaced it. Problem gone.

It may be possible to overhaul the master cylinder, if so that would be cheaper, but since I was able to buy a new one at a fairly good price that's what I decided.

StreetsideStig

x2 Check the level and the color.

swizz977

i just got a new master but not a new booster im gonna try to bleed everything the pads are brand new

DaOne54

I think if the master cylinder was internally bypassing, your brake pedal would sink to the floor once you were completely stopped (like waiting for the light to turn green). Unless its really bad already lol.

Remember when you are bleeding your brakes, (if your doing a 2 man bleed) to put one foot underneath the pedal, so that the pedal doesnt come down all the way down.
or else all the dirt at the bottom of your brake cylinders could be pushed up and cause some damage. You dont want leaking brake cylinders a week later after you bleed your brakes lol

John Galt

That's pretty much what was happening, except it would sink nearly to the floor... not all the way. It didn't happen all the time either, just often enough to be scary. A quick pump of the brake pedal, once was enough, brought it back up.

The master cylinder was really old, over 300,000 miles, and yes it's a good idea to change brake fluid once in a while - it had been over five years, maybe ten...

StreetsideStig

I never even thought about this. Good advice!

Keebler.89civ

I agree if you have to pump it and it always sinks and there are no leaks then its the master