I have a 98 civic 4dr EX with abs and just completed a rear disk swap. I used rear trailing arms, calipers etc from a 2000 integra with abs and a prop valve from a 98 integra gsr & a 00 civic si with the 2 extra ports plugged. I've tried both valves with the same result. After bleeding the pedal feels soft (bleed correctly and in the right order), it still catches but doesn't feel as solid as the drum brakes. THERE ARE NO LEAKS. (I know someone will ask) Any ideas why I'm getting a soft pedal feel?

 

Does the pedal become more firm when pumped?

 

Thanks for moving the thread. Yes it will become firm if I pump it.

 

Bump

 

possible if you flushed the fluid you could of cleaned up the piston wish removed some dirt causing the MC to fail. Its just possible

 

sounds like u need some stainless steel brake lines! =]

 

I highly doubt some very fine dirt would make the master cylinder fail & master worked fine before the swap..thanks for the reply though

 

And this is why posting a serious question on HT is useless...

 

bleed them all again if ur feeling a "spongy" pedal u may have air still in the lines

 

I thought this might be the problem but we bled them 3 times and I'm still getting the same pedal feel. Also forgot to mention there are new pads front & rear on the car.

 

When I installed new brake hoses on my Integra, I had to bleed them about 5 times over the course of a month before the pedal was firm. I would see a small amount of air each time. I also took care to plug the hard lines when the hoses were removed to minimize air infiltration.

 

I'll bleed it a few more times. Do you think having abs and doing the rear disk swap would have anything to do with the spongy pedal?

 

just trying to clear something up.. Your 98 ex came with abs right? And the swap is an abs model correct? Did you use the prop valve off a teg that had abs. Pretty sure the abs props and non abs props are completly different ?? Just a suggestion.

 

Yes my car came from the factory with abs. I'm also using a swap from a 2000 integra with abs. I'm also use a prop valve from and abs integra that i bought new from acura. I've also used a prob valve from a 2000 si with the 2 extra ports plugged with the same spongy feeling.

 

bleed the system at the mc prop valve and all wheels

 

this is more than likely exactly why your pedal feels shitty. when you lose fluid in the master and pump the pedal, you push the piston past where is ever goes. then the seal gets damaged by the dirt in the cylinder. happens all the time.

 

But it still grabs and stops pretty well once you press the pedal hard enough, it just feels spongy at first. Would a failed master still actually stop the car?

 

Bump anymore input on this??

 

replace the master and make sure there is no brake fluid in the booster

 

i would bleed at the master cylinder as 96electronH said. crack the nut loose putting a rag over the nut to prevent it from spraying. Then put a large rag below to catch the fluid(brake fluid eats paint quickly ) and have them hold the pedal down and tighten it up. repeat that on both brake lines on the master cylinder. then do all 4 starting with RL,RR,FL,FR. do that before going off and buying a new master cylinder

 

I'm going to try this again before buying a new master for sure.. A new OEM master is $250..

 

Did your ABS light come on?

Have you fixed the problem. Updates please.