608kZ28

i change the front pads on my 98 Z28 yestreday and now i dont have any brakes. i compressed the pistons with a c-clamp to get the pads and caliper on. dont think i lost any fluid when i did this.
any thoughts on what i could check? i dont think i missed anything. it was easier than i thought

3 pedal SS

iTrader: (1)

Did you pump the pedal a few times? I have to ask.

roninsonic

iTrader: (3)

umm.... Did you pump the brakes? If you pressed the pads into the calipers, you're going to have to pump the brakes for a bit to push the pistons out enough for the pads to contact the rotors.

justin hover

Purge/pump the brakes..and you did take the cap off the brake fluid.reservoir right.

608kZ28

yes i did pump the brakes.
unless my buddy that was helping did something when i went on a parts and food run. but he didnt say

justin hover

As long as the cap is off the.reservoir, you should be able to purge the system without any issues.

timseitz

sounds like you got air in your system. check your fluid level . I would check for leaks and then bleed the brakes.

608kZ28

the cap was off the reservoir when i did this. fluid level looks fine
air in the lines crossed my mind

z28bryan

iTrader: (7)

What happens when you leave the cap off the reservior compared to leaving it on? I've always left it on. Maybe I was doing it wrong.

justin hover

It makes it a bitch to compress the caliper. If the lines are air tight, then theirs noway to relieve pressure. When I took my cap off, fluid is 3/4" from the top...after compressing the caliper, it almost overflows...then purge the air. It makes it easier.

z28bryan

iTrader: (7)

What about when going through the bleeding process? I believe I keep the cap on.. it's been a while. Need to flush my fluid this year.

JACE323

iTrader: (3)

Is this an ABS car? If you did not leak any fulid externally, I would guess that there was air in the caliper that gets pushed back into the ABS pump. This causes a really soft pedal. To fix this issue you have to activate the ABS system a couple times to remove the air from the pump then bleed your brakes at each wheel.

Preffered method is to use a scan tool (must be a 2 way and usually cost $$). If you dont know someone with one. Stop by a shop and ask if the have a scanner capeable of doing the procedure on your car and ask them to do it for you. If in a pinch this method works but I advise against it. It can over heat the brakes to soon and cause issues. Plus you are doing this on a public road with other people around. Go find a slippery road and hit the brake hard enough to activate the ABS a few times. Return home and bleed your brakes.

Alex L.

iTrader: (16)

You have to actually drive the car around a bit for the pedal to come back to normal. If you are just pressing on the brake while the car is parked it will do that. If that still wont help then start bleeding though I don't see how you would introduce any air into the system by changing the pads.

ThoR294

iTrader: (6)

I wouldn't drive the car more than 5mph to see if you have brakes. If you really dont have brakes. pull the caliper off and push the pedal and see if the pistons move... pistons could have ceased up since you pushed them back in so far. Had that happen to my dakota. needed 2 new front calipers lol