FIX YOUR MUSHY BRAKES

[Joeiconic]

Has anyone who did the forscan brake purge noticed the mushy feeling return? After driving for several months after the purge, my brakes are feeling mushy again.

Any reason you can’t do the bleed again?

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[Silver]

Any reason you can’t do the bleed again?

No. However, my experience on this specifically was to do the Mushy Brake fix w/FORSCAN and then go directly to a full (normal) bleed of the system which has resulted in a much higher brake peddle and normal feeling brakes/braking. I did do just the Mushy Brake fix w/FORSCAN several months ago which helped, but Steve Tipton expressed, a bleeding of the brakes should follow to remove any air the lines produced by the "Fix"; which did, I found a few bubbles in the rear lines during the bleed. A page or so back is my writeup on this...

 

[MountainGoat]

No. However, my experience on this specifically was to do the Mushy Brake fix w/FORSCAN and then go directly to a full (normal) bleed of the system which has resulted in a much higher brake peddle and normal feeling brakes/braking. I did do just the Mushy Brake fix w/FORSCAN several months ago which helped, but Steve Tipton expressed, a bleeding of the brakes should follow to remove any air the lines produced by the "Fix"; which did, I found a few bubbles in the rear lines during the bleed. A page or so back is my writeup on this...

I have to wonder how brake bleeds are going to go if we can't renew forscan licences anymore...

I could never bleed my old Nissan properly because of the abs system.

 

[Silver]

I have to wonder how brake bleeds are going to go if we can't renew forscan licences anymore...

I could never bleed my old Nissan properly because of the abs system.

Bleeding brakes is the same operation as before FORSCAN; pump brake peddle, hold down peddle, open bleeder valve, at bottom of peddle travel, close valve and repeat.... Helps to use hose and beer bottle to catch discharged brake fluid...

 

[Dgc333]

Bleeding brakes is the same operation as before FORSCAN; pump brake peddle, hold down peddle, open bleeder valve, at bottom of peddle travel, close valve and repeat.... Helps to use hose and beer bottle to catch discharged brake fluid...

I haven't bleed brakes like that in years. I have a pneumatic powered power bleeder. Just attach the hose to bleeder on the car and let it run until there is no air.

 

[Fitzmotor]

Has anyone who did the forscan brake purge noticed the mushy feeling return? After driving for several months after the purge, my brakes are feeling mushy again.

My pedal went back to mushy, maybe not as bad., you are just moving the air around with the Forscan procedure, I need to bleed it properly to remove the air.

 

[landiscarrier]

Could even just do a gravity bleed to get air bubbles out if you’re solo.

 

[Dgc333]

Could even just do a gravity bleed to get air bubbles out if you’re solo.

In 50 years of working on vehicles I have never had success getting all the air out with gravity bleeding. Good for filling the system when lines are replaced but the slow moving brake fluid will leave bubbles trapped in the vertical direction changes in the run of the lines.

The best thing I have ever used is the power bleeder my son has at his shop. It attaches to the reservoir on the master cylinder and forces fluid through the system to the calipers.

 

[MELsRanger]

As promised, I finally rounded up the correct brake fluid from NAPA, Penstosin DOT 4 LV. German made, this brake fluid meets all the down in the weeds specifications of the much more expensive Motocraft /Ford fluid; FMVSS 116 dot 4, SAE J1704, and ISO 4925 class 6. This is one of few "Super" Dot 4's to make it to the Class 6 spec. The NAPA site says it is Class 4 but going to the Pentosin manufacturers website and checking their specifications, it is clear this is a Class 6 fluid. Which is very important to operate correctly in the advance Ranger systems - ESP and ABS. While the rear wheels were off for another reason, I did the Mush Brake Fix procedure in FORSCAN, then gathered up the Bride and bled the system starting with furthest from the Master cylinder, RR, where a pretty big bubble was discharged. The LR discharged a smaller bubble. The front discharged no air. Having the rear wheels off was a good thing since the brake bleeders are on top, tucked in and difficult to get to without making a mess, even when using a tube to get the fluid into a jar. Getting the 13mm open end on the bleeder would be the bigger challenge. The fronts are not a problem, and were easily accessed on a creeper. The tall Tremor thing also helped out.

Results: Solid brakes with a much higher peddle engagement. I too had the 'must pump the brakes up' after extended rest periods which is now gone after doing the Mushy Brake Fix. Steven Tipton who strongly suggested an actual bleed is necessary, was correct. His post on the LV fluid is what triggered my research on the specs for the fluid. Seems this LV stuff is what is used in the high performance European rides. I had to ask for this stuff, as NAPA doesn't stock it on the floor, but in the back. It is on their website. Advanced Auto also sells it, but didn't check there for ready availability. What this didn't do was change the peddle feel to 'extreme', but produced a more expected (for me) feel and response of the brakes. Now I can drive my Bride's F150 without putting us through the windshield, always a plus!

I’ve used the Pentosin dot 4 LV on my M3 for years without any issues. Always a firm peddle.
on another note, does anyone feel that this is a safety issue that should be reported to the NTSB? My new 2022 SCAB brake peddle travel is so extreme it passes the accelerator pedal position. In a panic stop situation I have contacted the accelerator pedal with my foot causing the engine rpm’s to increase simultaneously while trying to stop. Not good!

 

[Steven D Tipton]

I’ve used the Pentosin dot 4 LV on my M3 for years without any issues. Always a firm peddle.
on another note, does anyone feel that this is a safety issue that should be reported to the NTSB? My new 2022 SCAB brake peddle travel is so extreme it passes the accelerator pedal position. In a panic stop situation I have contacted the accelerator pedal with my foot causing the engine rpm’s to increase simultaneously while trying to stop. Not good!

I would be taking it to the dealer and having the Abs bleed done and fulling bleed out system. I would find away to mark bleeders rubber caps in a way you know they actually bleed the lines afterwards. My 19, dealer, just tried to half ass it. I finally did it in my repair shop. Never had any more issues after I did whole system. When dealer did it, return about 3 months later. Now my 22 Scab picked up a few days ago. No issues and very firm pedal. Someone at plant is messing up. As bad as yours sounds. I hope its not seals in M/C letting brake fluid by. Normal air in abs, is sponginess. Good luck either way.

 

[Silver]

I would be taking it to the dealer and having the Abs bleed done and fulling bleed out system. I would find away to mark bleeders rubber caps in a way you know they actually bleed the lines afterwards. My 19, dealer, just tried to half ass it. I finally did it in my repair shop. Never had any more issues after I did whole system. When dealer did it, return about 3 months later. Now my 22 Scab picked up a few days ago. No issues and very firm pedal. Someone at plant is messing up. As bad as yours sounds. I hope its not seals in M/C letting brake fluid by. Normal air in abs, is sponginess. Good luck either way.

Hope this resonates with those in doubt.

Simply put, Just do IT!

 

[briwill70]

My pedal went back to mushy, maybe not as bad., you are just moving the air around with the Forscan procedure, I need to bleed it properly to remove the air.

I suspect I will need to bleed the system but I'm getting very close to getting rid of this truck. I've already spent a lot of time and money trying to fix the things wrong with this brand new truck. Bummer because on paper this seems like the perfect truck for me but the drivability sucks. Mushy brakes, poor throttle response, unpredictable transmission shifts, bouncy ride.

 

[t4thfavor]

I’ve used the Pentosin dot 4 LV on my M3 for years without any issues. Always a firm peddle.
on another note, does anyone feel that this is a safety issue that should be reported to the NTSB? My new 2022 SCAB brake peddle travel is so extreme it passes the accelerator pedal position. In a panic stop situation I have contacted the accelerator pedal with my foot causing the engine rpm’s to increase simultaneously while trying to stop. Not good!

My 2019 has this same issue. I've had it since new, and the dealer has done the rear brakes like 9 times due to warping rotors. I'm now at 51K miles and the warranty is expired, so the dealer has successfully "waited me out". I'll be bleeding the brakes here soon and probably changing rotors again since they are starting to pulse again pretty bad... The pedal goes past the accelerator BEFORE IT EVEN STARTS BRAKING and the dealer just says "Meh, thats normal with the active emergency braking system"...

 

[AdamHarris]

Ok I did the foreskin ABS bleed procedure probably six months ago. Yes it helped but slowly my brakes kind of went back to being wish again. Yesterday, after waiting for the proper brake fluid to finally come in, I got under there and actually bleed the brakes. Guys I probably get 60 bubbles or more out of this brake system total and now they are finally feeling like they should !!!

 

[dapakattack]

Ok I did the foreskin ABS bleed procedure probably six months ago. Yes it helped but slowly my brakes kind of went back to being wish again. Yesterday, after waiting for the proper brake fluid to finally come in, I got under there and actually bleed the brakes. Guys I probably get 60 bubbles or more out of this brake system total and now they are finally feeling like they should !!!

Adam, did you do the forescan ABS procedure yesterday also before bleeding, or just the physical bleeding?

Thanks

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