2002 Long Brake pedal

[racermech]

Hey Guys. My wifes 02 has been having an issue with a long break pedal. I have changed the front pads and rotors a couple of times and we have adjusted the drums. This works great for about a week or two, then I start to notice the longer and longer pedal stroke. Even the ebake handle goes from 3 or 4 click to almost all the way up. It seems to get to a point then it stops where it does not back off anymore, but it is still a long stroke, much longer then when it was maybe 1yr ago. Also it is eating up front brakes, so that tells me the drums are not working as well.

I am thinking that the adjuster is backing off, or something is just broke. I have looked around, and had my father in-law look at them also. Neither of us noticed anything obvious. There was no signs of grease or oil being leaked.

Before I throw in the towel and go to the mechanic does anyone have a good idea of parts to change or service.

 

[p nut]

I am not sure about the rears, but I am guessing two things for the fronts:

1) Air in the lines
2) Siezed calipers

Have you checked those two items?

 

[racermech]

As of the last front pad swap there was no sign of a stuck caliper, the pads where worn very even front to back, and on both sides. I have not bleed the system, but in my experience that will lead to a mushy pedal feel. This is not mushy at all, it actually feels really good it is just really long.

Let say this when i put new pads on and adjust the drums I would only have 2" of pedal movement before the breaks engaged. Now I have 4" before the engage, I have cured this before by just adjusting the drums. But within a week or two it is back to the 4" of stroke.

Tonight I am going to try to putting it in revers and pulling on the e-brake see if I can get something to tighten up a bit, but I kinda doubt it will work. Let me say this also, this is my first car with drums, all of my hondas and bmw's have been 4 wheel disk, so please forgive me if I miss something totally obvious.

 

[icantsee]

Air in the lines

 

[TopRunner]

My pedal also seems a bit long. After servicing my brakes, the drum shoes had lots of meat and the front pads hadn't worn evenly but I was told thats not too uncommon. Rotors were fine and niether caliper was froze.

One thing I had noticed was the front rubber brake lines were cracked and worn. So those will be replaced asap, along with a fliud flush and I will see if that tightens things up.

p.s.
I have a 96' lmt. 4X4 w/ 207k miles

 

[racermech]

 

[icantsee]

Bleeding the drums are exactly the same as the calipers.

 

[racermech]

ok, same method as my other cars. This might be this weekend project see if it helps at all.

 

[trd_4runnin]

If that doesn't work then it may be the rear axle seal(s). My dad's runner had a really soft brake pedal and the rear axle seals had gone out and covered the brake shoes in gear lube.