I went to change out my rear brake pads tonight because they started to feel somewhat mushy...didn't think it would be much of a big deal. Changed the pads and when I went to hit the rear brake lever, it never tightened up...no pressure build up at all. Didn't see anywhere that it was leaking fluid and the rear res. was full. Anyone got any suggestions...leaving for the dunes in 6 days! Is it a bad seal in the rear brake master cylinder?? HELP!!

 

Have you tried to bleed the rear brakes at all. Sometime it's a good idea after a pad change. Give it a go and see if it works. Double check the banjo bolts to make sure they're tight and you should be good.

 

Silver...would bleeding help even if I'm getting zero pump pressure. I took the rear cap off and pushed the brake lever and looked at the fluid as I was pushing and it did nothing?

 

Bleeding is ALWAYS the thing to do when pressure feels mushy or when pressure will not build.
You might have an air bubble trapped somewhere. A pad change is a good time to flush the brake fluid, too (Especially if it has been more than 2 years).

 

Not to sound stupid, but its been awhile since I bleed the brakes...any tips?

 

Yes, Hold pressure on the pedal, open the bleeder screw until the pedal bottoms, close the bleeder screw and then release the pedal. Repeat until you have both clean fluid coming out, AND a solid pedal.

A helper is helpful to hold the pressure while you work the bleeder valve. You can always get a mity vac from Autozone if you cannot manage both tasks alone.

Keep a close eye on the reservoir level while bleeding - you never want it empty or you will have to begin again.

 

Sport...I'll give it a try tomorrow...but the pedal already bottoms out right now..does this mean anything?

 

It means that either you have a MAJOR leak (You should see a puddle on the floor), or an air bubble trapped somewhere.

You want to Bleed the line to remove the air bubble. You may have to pump it several times to bring the pads to the rotor in order to give yourself something to push against (This is typical of nearly every brake pad replacement on every vehicle with hydraulic brakes). Once you have the slightest pressure (May not feel like hardly anything), you wil be able to bleed the line.

 

Sport...I just went out in the garage, got any 8mm wrench, depressed the pedal. opened the bleeder and nothing came out. Like I said, I'm not getting any pressure at all...pumped the pedal...alot.?

 

Make sure you do not have a crushed clamp on the brake hose mounted to the swing arm . It happened to me.

If not the master cylinder may be bad.