87 GL fwd EA82 wagon brake question

[OREchipmunk78]

I was wondering if anyone had any ideas? My brake pedal is really soft sometimes I have to push almost to the floor to stop. Do i just need to replace the pads or is there a way to bleed the brakes?

[ivantruckman]

HMMM, could be a number of things, it kinda one of those id have to look things. if your fluid is low, you would have a mushy pedal, if you pump the pedal does it get firmer?

[OREchipmunk78]

yes, and the brake fluid is fine. I check it every day and I've never seen it low....

[GeneralDisorder]

It's either air in the system (need to bleed/replace fluid), or the caliper's are hanging up on the slides. Those are the usual causes on Subaru's.

 

GD

[OREchipmunk78]

So I'm gonna sound like an idiot but how do I bleed the brakes on this thing?

[GeneralDisorder]

There's a whole procedure for it.

 

First of all - make or buy a bleeder bottle. 20oz soda bottle and some clear tubing works - punch a hole in the cap and then insert the tubing down to the bottom of the bottle. Fill about 1/3 full of fluid.

 

Then you have to bleed in this order: MC primary (close to firewall), Right rear, Left Front, MC Secondary, Left rear, Right front.

 

You hookup the tubing to the bleeder screw, crack it open and pump the pedal till you see new fluid going through the tube. Then move to the next wheel, etc.

 

Throughout this process you need to insure that the MC is always full of new fluid. If you suck air into the MC you have to start all over again.

 

GD

[OREchipmunk78]

Thanks gd..... Sorry to be a pain.... She is my first Soobie....

Edited August 24, 2010 by OREchipmunk78