Laughing Man

Wondering if i could get some ideas to help me figure this out... Sorry its a long history of what happened this past weekend.

98 civic LX 4dr

History - Bought the car not long ago and it had no rear brakes, and E-brake did not work.
Removed drums thinking the shoes were bad, found no springs installed when last brake job was done as well as the shoes were in very bad shape.
Installed new shoes and all new springs. When installing new shoes on driver side a piston popped out of the cylender, so i had to bleed the system. Passenger side bleed valve was stripped off and couldnt get it to budge with vice grips, so i replaced both rear cylenders and bled all 4 corners.
was going to take the car for a test drive but no brake pressure at all once the motor was running.
Did some reading online and most pointed to the master cylender being bad.
Replaced the mater cylender (yes i bled the MC before someone asks) and bled the brakes till all fluid coming out was new and clean at all 4 corners...

Brakes work now, but pedal does not have the same pressure it had before. It feels very spungy.

Is it possible there is some air still in the lines even tho i bled the system till it was all new brake fluid coming out? A friend of mine suggested there may be air trapped in the proportioning valve?

Any input would be helpful.
also, before someone asks, i bled in correct order, starting with the passenger rear.

EsotericImage

iTrader: (8)

For those of you with a soggy brake pedal after caliper installation, here is the CORRECT bleeding sequence:

Bleed the brakes:
Right Rear, Left Front, Left Rear, Right Front.
You do not go farthest to closest with Hondas.

Always bench bleed the Master cylinder when replacing the master cylinder, ABS unit, or proportioning valve.

Former User

If you can't find any fluid leaks from the MC, calipers, wheel cylinders, or lines, then there's almost surely a little air left in the system.

For bleeding, did you have a buddy press the brake pedal down after you opened the bleeder screw and then hold the pedal down until you closed the screw, repeating this pattern multiple times for each wheel?

ameer_vtec99

that's correct but sometimes might be this problem from the mc maybe its weak

Former User

It's possible, though the OP installed a new MC, so it's probably a different issue.

ameer_vtec99

i am with with too this is the perfect way to bleed the fluid from the 4 corners

all the bast man

jbpnoman

When you do a complete brake overhaul (or close to, like you did) and still have air in the lines, it's generally a good idea to use a reverse bleeder. It basically pressurizes the system and forces air back up through the BMC.

Either that, or go through a couple quarts of brake fluid to get the air out.

JDMLyfe89

Agreed i replaced my calipers on my em1 and I bleed them until all new fluid came out but when I took it for a ride they where spongy so I tried the reverse bleed and it took out the air left In the lines and now they work like they should

Laughing Man

Yes sir, my brother was helping with that and he knows not to let up on the pedal till i give the release command.
There are no leaks, I spent a good 30 min under the car tracing all brake lines to make sure. I even got bit in the face by a damn spider while down there...

I already went through 2 qts of brake fluid this weekend, I will try to bleed it some more this coming weekend.
I will also look into reverse bleeding as I have never done this before.

Laughing Man

BTW, keep the ideas coming, I will look into each of them this coming weekend.
All ideas are appreciated...

jbpnoman

http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/...bleeder+kit.do

Just one example. You can find kits for cheaper.

Former User

Was it immediately followed by the reflexive bug-splattering face slap?

Laughing Man

Haha yea but unfortunately the exhaust pipe was in the way and I hit that instead. I had to slide out from under the car to slap the little basterd. He got me twice and my face was swolen up the next day...

Former User

I thought razor sharp metal, busted knuckles, toxic fumes, and flammable solvents were the only worries when wrenching. Now I need to add agressive arachnid attacks to the list.

grumblemarc

iTrader: (4)

How about random skunks in the driveway? Had one waltz under the car while I was under it. He was passing through.

Former User

Bold stinker. Lucky he wasn't rabid.

tvanderpan93

Does it feel like theres no pressure on the brake pedal? Could be your master cylinder as well..good luck

Laughing Man

Update:
bled another qt through the system over the weekend. I thought i saw a couple air bubbles coming out when i got to the rear drivers side, but i could be wrong. I was on my 6th beer at that point. After i was done, the brakes feel much better now.

Thanks for all your input.

Former User

So do spongy brakes feel firm after 6 beers?

Laughing Man

lol actualy 6 beers make it feel more spongy, seemed much firmer when i took the car for a test drive the next morning.