Why does my brake pedal depress so low, while my pads are near new?

[supersnake83]

Hi everyone,

Can anyone help me understand why I nearly have to put the brake pedal to the floor to stop the car. My brakes are still near new. The wear is only about 20% with 80 % left on the pads, both front and back.

I did check the brake fluid and the brake fluid is at the max level.

I don't have any fluid leaks as I checked that after I checked the pads.

And, it did feel normal when the pads were new, about four months ago, but now, if feels as if I have no brakes at all.

Thanks for any replies,

Geoff.

[95-J30tt]

that is strange, i would bleed the brake lines to eleminate the possibility of air bubbles in the break system (that could cause what you have mensioned)

[ttinfinitiM30]

could have air in the lines, if no mater how much u pump the pedal it always goes ot the floor then u probly jus need to bleed the brakes. its a 2 person job unless u got a tool for it. im not sure of the sequence fot the j but u need to start with the brake w the longest brake line first and end with the shortest, in order. 1.have someone press on the pedal 2. open the bleed screw on teh top of the caliper3. close the screw when the pedal gets to the floor.4. repete until u have a steady flow of fluid coming out of the caliper and no air. 5. move to the next brake

when i do this i put a clear tube on the end of the bleed screw, for 2 reasons, keeps the fluid from spraying everywhere, and the second is tosee in teh fluid, when its a steady flow of fluid with no air. if the tube isnt sealed good on the screw u will get some air bulbles even if the caliper dosnt have air in the line so make sure to have a good seal around the screw if u use a tube.

i had the same problems with my m30 when i bought it. my master cylder was bad tho, (its also posable that this is ur prob). then when i fixed that my abs pump started leaking.

its not hard to do the bleeding. its just more of a problem of pulling the wheels off. without a lift its a little harder cause u gotta jack up one side at a time

[NismoChi]

You have a bad brake master cylinder, replace it.

[supersnake83]

Is the master cylinder easy or hard to replace. Also, what is a roud-a-bout price I should look to pay for one.

If possible, can you post some easy to follow detailed directions on how to replace the cylinder.

Thanks,

Geoff.

[ttinfinitiM30]

i bought mine for an m30 (tokico brand) for about 250 or so. im not using my abs any more so im tring to get rid of this master, ill sell u it if u want, only bout 100 miles on it b4 the engine went to shnit.

install... simple bench bleed1. bench bleed by filling w fluid, and putting tubes on all outputs, run tubes back into resivoir submerged in the fluid.2. push in on the cylder slowly, then wait a few mins.... repeate till all air is out of tubes. this takes some time installing CAUTION: brake fluid eats through paint. 1. remove wire connector2. remove brake lines from cylder i suggest using something to catch the fluid that drips3. remove bolts holding it down to the booster.4. install new cylder5. bleed system (if its anything like the m30... u can just use the bleed screws that are on top of the abs pump.)6. wash off any areas that got brake fluid on them. (i gosta paint my uder side cause of brake fluid eating the paint.)

o... and if u have fluid leaking into the brake booster then u need a new one of those too. its obviose to tell once u take off the master cause it should not be wet at all around the booster. or if u see it before u dig in u know ur screwed.have fun.....

[NismoChi]

M30 and J30 use different master cylinder, your wouldn't be the one that he need.AZ have one for ~$100, and kragen, Advance Auto have one for ~$75, it really is not that difficult, less than an hour if you know what you are doing.