Brake Issues

I was driving Ted today and the brakes don't seem to be working as well as they should. The front uses GM calipers and the rear are Ford Fusion calipers. I could see skid marks on the dirt road from the rears locking up. There is no proportioning valve. The master cylinder is a 1" bore Wilwood unit for disc-disc brakes.

How can I determine if there is still air in the system or if there is not enough fluid being displaced for the front calipers? If I pump it, I have amazing brakes. The pedal doesn't seem rock solid either.

 

Sounds like you may need to bleed the system if the pedal doesn't seem firm.

Did you bench bleed the Master Cylinder ?

This can still be done in the vehicle, plenty of Youtube videos out there on it. Dorman has a handy kit for about $10 with fittings and hoses. Once you bleed the MC, then you need to bleed the rest of the system. I always start with the right rear wheel, then the left rear, then the right front, finishing witht the left front.

I would start with this, and if still not right look into an adjustable proportioning valve.

 

The master cylinder has bleeders on it and the fluid was running clear. I have the kit you are talking about and I could try that.

 

Make sure your rear caliper mount puts the pads directly in the center of the disk. I had this problem with my rear disks because it wasn't centered. Spongey brakes, but one pump and they were great.

 

Also make sure the alignment of the brackets is correct.
In other words, make sure the face surface of the disc pads contact the surface of the rotor squarely.

 

Thanks all. I will have to check everything now.