SuzukiSavage.com - Print Page

SuzukiSavage.com
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl
General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Squishy Brakes
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1656280955

Message started by Surviving Philadelphia on 06/26/22 at 15:02:34

Title: Squishy Brakes
Post by Surviving Philadelphia on 06/26/22 at 15:02:34

Howdy,

My front brakes are extra squishy, but firm up after I pump them (sometimes they feel a lot more firm the next day, not sure why).

I bled the brakes yesterday, my fluid was dark amber, like really bad hangover piss (does this really matter? some say it does, some say it doesn't.)

I was hoping this would fix the issue but they still feel squishy and pumping still works.

I'm could there still be air in the system? I attached a hose to the bleeder and did it the old head way, pumping and releasing.

Also what could be causing air to get into the brakes? I noticed my brake line is REALLY taught (was hard to reconnect the caliper due to the line being so taught after replacing my pads). could the line being taught be allowing air in somewhere? I never see any signs of a leak.

Does anyone know of any aftermarket master cylinder options if the cylinder is bad? The OEM is like 400 bucks.

2013 s40 6k miles.

Thanks everyone

Title: Re: Squishy Brakes
Post by verslagen1 on 06/26/22 at 15:46:48

if the fluid is tinted, it's got water in it.
change it, only a half pt., not hard and might solve the squishy issue too.

Most likely you have air in the lines, but it could be a bad hose too.
get ss braided lines, much less squishy. I have seen bad lines bulge up like a balloon.

master not likely to be bad.

Title: Re: Squishy Brakes
Post by SpamyToo on 06/28/22 at 07:58:41

2nd opinion same as first.

95% chance of still having air.

Brake fluid absorbes water and needs to be changed from time to time. Dirty probably because old.

Air will get trapped in the caliper sometimes. Sometimes I find on bikes you may have to remove the caliper and hold up higher than the master cylinder and bleed it. Just a small amount of air will give you the squishy feel.

Title: Re: Squishy Brakes
Post by Gary_in_NJ on 06/29/22 at 14:02:20

Brakes are a closed-loop system. If air has gotten into the system it's an indication that something in the system has, or is about to, fail. Most likely is the caliper seals.

Title: Re: Squishy Brakes
Post by Surviving Philadelphia on 07/04/22 at 18:04:05

Thanks everyone,

I Will flush them totally once I get time and report back -- it's my daily driver and they are working enough to stop when I need to currently. I just pump them every morning.

Title: Re: Squishy Brakes
Post by Surviving Philadelphia on 07/13/22 at 05:54:12

Update:

completely flushed the brakes, no air in the lines, new pads installed. At first, it seemed like the problem was solved but the lever got squishy pretty quickly again.

I'm going to upgrade to a SS line, but I think I should replace the MC as well-- does anyone know of any good aftermarket MC replacements? The OEM is listed at an insane $400 dollars from the shop up the street -- I could get a rebuild kit but i suppose but I'm wondering if anyone runs an aftermarket with a cleaner look.

Title: Re: Squishy Brakes
Post by Gary_in_NJ on 07/13/22 at 06:21:23

The MC cylinder is rebuildable. It's a 30 minute job and the parts are inexpensive. No special tools required, but compressed are makes the piston come out EASY (put a rag over it so it doesn't fly across the room).

Title: Re: Squishy Brakes
Post by Surviving Philadelphia on 08/04/22 at 06:06:12

So, parts came in. I may have over shot on the length of the SS brake line I bought by roughly 4 inches or so. Is the extra length problematic as far as brake performance is concerned? I'm hoping to route the line in such a way that the cable wont be flopping around, trying to avoid having to return it.

Title: Re: Squishy Brakes
Post by Gary_in_NJ on 08/04/22 at 06:19:14

Extra line will not affect brake performance. You can use up the extra line by having it pass behind the left side of the streeing stem and then routing back in front to the right. Make sure there isn't any binding as you swing the bars from lock-to-lock.

Title: Re: Squishy Brakes
Post by Surviving Philadelphia on 08/10/22 at 06:15:47

Thanks Gary,

The new SS line and the MC rebuild finally solved the issues, way better performance on the front brake.