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'92 Firebird 5.0L MUSHY BRAKE PEDAL
Sent to Car Experts May 08 07:31 PM

Recently has '92 Firebird 5.0L serviced for overheating issue. At same time had brakes checked-rotors and drums turned, rear wheel cylinders replaced, 2 new hoses, brake system bled. 4 new tires put on. 3 weeks later, brake pedal gave noticable "mush" at red light, but seemed to recover. 1 week later, brake pedal mushy-almost to the floor-at all times. Checked master cylinder fluid level-very low-refilled MC-braking not much improved. Took car back to mechanic-had MC replaced, system bled. The brake pedal still feels weak and mushy. Ive been driving this car 14 years-have I lost my mind??? I guess the mechanic test drove the car and felt it was ok. Am I missing something? Is there one of those booster thingys that needs looked at?

Am I expecting more from my old car than can be reasonable?

 

Optional Information:
1992 Pontiac Firebird 5.0L

Already Tried:
Professional mechanic

Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Status:  Closed   Value: $7
Answer
May 8 7:35 PM (4 minutes and 17 seconds later)
         
ACCEPTEDCheck Mark
No.If the booster were faulty you would have a high hard pedal.Like trying to stop a truck.This sounds like it's just not been bled properly or the rear brakes are out of adjustment or installed backwards(Primary shoe to the rear).You might ask the mechanic if they bled the anti-lock valve properly.

"It is much wiser and cost efficient to ask a question than to stumble blindly through your auto repairs".Please Click Accept if my answer was helpful.
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Michael -- Auto Service Technician -- 99% Positive Feedback on 598 Car Accepts
21yrs.Foreign and domestic driveability diagnosis and repair/ ASE Cert./Fuel Injection Specialist.
Reply
May 8 7:53 PM (17 minutes and 23 seconds later)
         
Reply to Michael's Post: Thanks, Michael-I have concerns: the options you have kindly offered-are these not things a competent mechanic would have thought to do? Is there that much leeway in how brakes are serviced? In your opinion, if this was your baby-would you take her somewhere else? This place does brakes and tires! You have definitely earned your $$ ;)
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
May 8 8:08 PM (15 minutes and 46 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark
I would take it back and ask to have someone else test drive it.When you get in the car without starting it,How does the pedal feel? It should be high and hard.If it slowly goes down while holding pressure on it,you still have air in the system or those rear brakes are out of adjustment.How far does the park brake travel before the rear brake is applied? Should be about 3 clicks with new, properly adjusted rear brakes.Most shops that do brake work perform FREE brake inspections,so it might not be a bad idea to get another opinion.I mean....you know what the brakes feel like when they are working correctly and to have someone tell you they feel OK has to make you nuts when you know they feel different (mushy).Give them one more chance,Maybe the manager will take it for a ride.I'm sure you paid quite a bit for all that work and probably have a lifetime warranty on the brakes too.

"It is much wiser and cost efficient to ask a question than to stumble blindly through your auto repairs".Please Click Accept if my answer was helpful.
Picture
Michael -- Auto Service Technician -- 99% Positive Feedback on 598 Car Accepts
21yrs.Foreign and domestic driveability diagnosis and repair/ ASE Cert./Fuel Injection Specialist.
Reply
May 8 8:21 PM (12 minutes and 50 seconds later)
         
Reply to Michael's Post: Michael-I just went out and did the motor off test-on first step-the brake pedal feels mushy. After one "pump" the brake pedal feels high and stiff-which I thot it should feel like! I turned on the engine-pedal felt mushy again and pumping does NOT improve it at all. Does this indicate anything else?? I drove a friends '97 Grand Prix today and the brakes felt hard and stiff when driving- like mine do engine off, after pumping-shouldnt mine feel similar?
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
May 8 8:27 PM (6 minutes and 11 seconds later)
         
ACCEPTEDCheck Mark
Yes!!!You have air in it or the rears need adjustment.

"It is much wiser and cost efficient to ask a question than to stumble blindly through your auto repairs".Please Click Accept if my answer was helpful.
Picture
Michael -- Auto Service Technician -- 99% Positive Feedback on 598 Car Accepts
21yrs.Foreign and domestic driveability diagnosis and repair/ ASE Cert./Fuel Injection Specialist.
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