runyun972

iTrader: (7)

So, yesterday I worked on some maintenance on the 98 max

knock sensor
coolant drain/flush
tranny drain/flush
replaced gas cap
and front brake pads

All went well. Got it all done under an hour at a friends shop (Access to lift)
Anyhow.. while we were pushing the pistons back in while doing the front brakes, we forgot to remove the brake resevoir
We realized brake fluid spilling out. Anyhow, got done and everything seemed fine.

Drove around a solid 20 minutes running errands.. no problem. Firm brake pressure, great braking, etc. Later, I realized the brake pedal was getting soft... after about 2-3 minutes, I could push the brake pedal all the way to the floor

First reaction, blew a seal in the brake master when we pushed the pistons in doing the brakes. Called and waited for my friend. After about 10 minutes, I decided to try to coast to a nearby gas station, however, this time the brakes felt great again.

Either way, after a few brake tests in the empty parking lot by the gas station we decided to finish the drive home. When we got close, we did a series of hard braking to test it out. Absolutely fine. Great pressure, great brakes

Anyone hear or go through this?
Any thoughts besides the usual?
(ie., air in system)

What I've done:
visually inspect the brakes. No leaks
Resevoir is at the full line... not low
Pressure is great so don't think it needs to be bled

internetautomar

iTrader: (30)

sounds like a master to me.

dgeesaman

iTrader: (10)

I'd rebuild the master.

Dave

runyun972

iTrader: (7)

update:
been driving the maxima daily since the incident.
Absolutely fine...

Weird. I have a spare vehicle at the house so if it goes south, I'll have the master rebuilt.

Just wanted to post this for the record and for people doing searches
also, my maxima is equipped with ABS

FallenOne

iTrader: (17)

hmm never heard anyhting like this before. ya sure your mind wasnt just playin tricks on ya? i mean sometimes i drive with a pair of sandals or dress shoes and it feels wayy off. could just be a mental adjustment!

max95q

iTrader: (10)

Maybe there was air in the system?

ltpacct

Did you use the brakes excessively and/or hard during this 20 minutes run? If you did, it sounded like a brake fade symptom. I read that this happens quite often when new brakes are use excessively right after installation. The brakes should return to normal condition after a cooling down period. There are a lot of write-ups about brake fading and how to prevent it, search the internet for them.

runyun972

iTrader: (7)

I was running errands as stated. Also, my post also said the brakes went down all the way to the floor.

I know the difference between brake fade... and loss of brake pressure and complete brake loss. ie, the car did not slow down any when the brake fell to the floor. I had to use the ebrake to slow down the car.

Thanks for the thought though