InTheZoneAC

iTrader: (11)

98 Civic LX, front discs, rear drums.

When I got it 2 years ago I had replaced the front rotors and pads because I could feel the pedal fluctuate when pressing the brakes.

Replacing these fixed the pedal pulsing.

Even after fixing the motor I've always noticed the engine gets slightly less gas mileage than it should. Sometimes the brake pedal feels hard, like there's no travel and sometimes it gets bad where the car shifts to a lower gear to keep current speed because the brakes are "stuck".

I replaced with brand new calipers a week ago, greased up the pad sliders and pistons, and properly bleed the entire brake system.

The problem still exists where the pedal sometimes feels hard, like there's no pedal travel and when it's bad I can smell the brakes coming from the front left wheel.


New rotors, pads, calipers, brake fluid, properly bleed, what else do I need?

95accordCE6

Did you check the brake hoses to make sure they're releasing the pressure? I've seen them get kinked or clogged and hold fluid at the caliper...just a suggestion

InTheZoneAC

iTrader: (11)

when I bled the brakes fluid was coming out whenever the brake pedal was pressed if that's what you're asking.

It showed no signs that something was "clogged" as the fluid came out the same every time for all 4 corners.

They are original brake lines, but if there is no air in the system is it still possible for the lines to get kinked?

95accordCE6

Yes, they basically collapse and sometimes it's more noticeable after you've driven for a bit. Easiest way to check is to hold the hose while someone presses and releases the pedal and then you can feel the pressure enter and leave the hose. If this isn't the problem the only other possibility I could think of off the top of my head is the brake booster malfunctioning to give you the hard pedal, maybe check the vacuum line for that as well

InTheZoneAC

iTrader: (11)

When squeezing the hose should I be able to pinch it or should it stay firm during the entire press and release brake process?

I did check the vacuum line from the booster, no kinks and it looks good, don't hear any leaks/suction.

95accordCE6

You'll feel the hose flex as pressure comes in and the line gets stiffer, and when pressure is released it'll get soft again (sort of like flexing a muscle lol)

InTheZoneAC

iTrader: (11)

so I took some pliers and gently squeezed the front left and front right brake lines. Had someone press and free the brake pedal a few times and they both felt the same. Got tight when pedal is pressed, got soft when brake pedal was released.

There are no visible markings of kinks and the brake lines feel sturdy.

I also pulled the brake booster vacuum hose off from the booster to intake. There's a one way valve inside that only lets air go to the intake and it checked good by blowing into it from both ends. There are no cracks in the hose.

There are no kinks in the short metal brake line going to the front left caliper

When I start the car the brake pedal feels good like it should but I noticed a suction noise whenever I press the brake pedal, like a little hand air pump. Is that normal? It's hard for me to compare to my civic since the car is much louder.

InTheZoneAC

iTrader: (11)

Well even though I replaced both calipers recently I decided to check the caliper piston anyway and already noticed the main rubber seal was torn/split at multiple spots.

I don't know how it got messed up as they were already flush when I got them and they were flush when I put them on, never did I extend the piston out

So I'm pretty sure that's my culprit and that's pretty much what the original caliper was doing. Build-up around the piston causing it to seize up...

I hope advance let's me return them for another set.

95accordCE6

Glad you found it and good luck with the fix