soft brake issue

[patriotsgolf2003]

Driving to pick my wife up from work since it snowed and noticed the brakes were soft. Didn't think much of it and just thought I slid a little until it did it on dry pavement. My brakes are extremely soft and the pedal will bottom out without any effective braking. I have to down shift and use the ebrake to stop. The fluid is good, pads are only half worn and the calipers and rotors only have about 10k on them. Other than a possible brake line what could be the problem.

 

[nevada]

sounds like the mc has failed.

bad news.

 

[patriotsgolf2003]

That's what I was afraid of.

 

[Kmvreter]

Did the instrument cluster brake warning light come on?

 

[patriotsgolf2003]

No lights or alarms of any sort

 

[patriotsgolf2003]

Forgot to mention its an 05 sport if that matters

 

[liqourish]

Try bleeding brakes. Old fluid can break down and braking can get soft/mushy.

 

[DiskDoctr]

Look underneath for any fluid on ground or wet brake lines. Pay special attention to the transition from hard lines to rubber above the rear axle, just to the left of center.

You may need to remove the spare.

If it is damp, touch the wet and touch it to your tongue. If water from the road, you'll know it. If it is brake fluid, you'll know it, too!

BTW, those lines have a junction on the driver's side behind the front door that can be easily seen from below. They run on top of the gas tank. Replace BOTH at a time, leave the old ones in the brackets, then no need to drop tank.

Just did both on my 2004 V8 Ltd