help my brake pedal feels loose.....

[afx]

I haven't yet check it out but i want to get an idea on what to look for when i do. ok i will try to describe as best as posible. when i first begin to drive, brakes feel firm and car brakes fine. but when i go on to a drive way or a lot of bumps or even when i make sharp turns, brake pedal gets loose. but if i pump it a couple times it goes back to normal. now my car does need an alignment, and ball joints. does that affect the brakes? also my car is low, really low does that affect brakes? i drive a 2001 Se.

[Sponsor]

[whynotthinkwhynot]

First, replace the brake master cylinder cap and see if that solves the problem. If it doesn't, then you might need to vacuum bleed the brake lines. I don't suggest the old fashioned pedal pumping bleeding procedure because renting or purchasing a vacuum bleeder saves time and frustration. Miti-Vac bleeder kits are typically right around $20 for the plastic body, and $50 for the metal body. I use plastic for brakes. Read the directions, and leave the cap off while bleeding.

[sailor]

Posted via FF MobileThere are some other possibilities as well. loose wheel bearings, sticking caliper pins or rotor that isn`t running true all can push the piston back in the caliper while rolling, so you have to pump brakes B4 normal pedal. If brakes feel smooth I`d lean towards the wheel bearing as something to check first.

[niggly51]

The obvious first thing to check would be the fluid level. Very low brake fluid level could allow air into the circuit on turns and over bumps which would self bleed out with pumping of the pedal.

[afx]

Ok i checked the fluid lvl and it was a little low but not enough to cause this I think. I also checked the brake master cylinder cap and it looks fine. Next I'm going to check rotors, calipers, lines, and berings.

[SanduskySerpents]

If air got sucked into the system that would do it. Fluids don't compress so when.air is introduced into a brake system it will move through
Posted via FF Mobile the system and compress when you hit the brakes giving it a loose feeling

[sailor]

Posted via FF Mobile Gotta re-emphasize my first post, the OP`s symptoms indicate a mechanical issue of pistons being pushed back while rolling, not a fluid or bleeding issue. Solid pedal at normal height, then low pedal that returns to normal height when pumped after driving... No pulsation from rotor issues mentioned, so bearings are the most likely. Sticky caliper not "floating" on it`s pins would cause a smaller version of the issue... All guesses based on no mention of recent brake work, so no installation issues....