mush brake pedal...what to try next?

[ScottArizona]

Hey guys,

I have a 99 c2, and my dad has an 02 c2. We have always noticed that my dad's brake pedal is much softer, and has much more travel before the car really starts to slow, than my car has. His pads have about another 10k miles from my estimate (still much thicker than the backing plate). So, we pulled out the motive bleeder and replaced the fluid with ATE super blue, but it had no effect on the mushy pedal (the fluid that came out didn't even look that bad).

What could be causing this? Might there be air in the system that we haven't gotten out? I've heard it is pretty hard and involved to get air out (even with a power bleeder) once air is introduced. Any suggestions? What else could be causing this? The car stops fine, its just disconcerting to have the pedal travel so far before it does stop. THanks, Scott.

Edited March 30, 2007 by ScottArizona

[Loren]

Could be a leaky or bad vacuum booster or a bad master cylinder.

Does the pedal hold (stay hard) if you pump it up?

[Izzy]

Scott, does it happens at all speeds? Here is my experience between my 99 and the '03, same pads, clean fluid, very similar rotor life. The 99 does seem to engage the breaks a lot quicker than the 03, the difference is significant.

Our local dealer service manager, who also inspects our cars before track events, even commented on it. So I am looking for some open time to leave the car there with him for further check.

It was pretty scary when, on track, I pushed the break pedal on the 03 at the same spot that I would do with the 99, and it seemed that the car was not slowing down. Also same pads, clean fluid.

But, I did notice that it is a lot worse at higher speeds.