Archived abs brake problems

[Cousin Billy]

Working on a 98 3500 with 4wheel abs. New rotors and pads, adjusted the rears. Front brakes are almost non existent. I took out the abs relay and the dash fuse. With the front end in the air, you can turn the wheels by hand, stab and hold the pedal, the wheel will stop. But, you can still turn the wheel by hand. The brake pedal is near the floor. The brakes grab for a split second upon application, then to the floor they go. I think its the master cylinder, but this abs front anti lock valve, etc. has me a little baffled. No codes show when scanned.

I just spent about an hour in the search forums.

Anybody had similar brake problems and/or ideas?



Thanks,

Cousin Billy

 

[rkressg]

Did you check if you have air in the system? Is the pedal spongy? If the ABS system is activating, you should feel vibration in the brake pedal. If it is both front wheels, it could be your master. Your proportioning valve could also be going out.

 

[Extreme1]

If you have no air in the circuit and the pedal goes to the floor, it's hydraulic. Most likely the master but it could be an ABS thing (I'm not real familiar with them).



Try removing the front line from the master and install a plug. You will probably have to bleed it to get the air out but if it still goes down, it's your master.

 

[kluther]

did you push the old fluid back up into the master or did you loosen the bleed screw and let the fluid spill out while compressing the caliper. if you pushed it back into the master you might of gotten contaminates in the cups, in the master cyl. i would replace the master cyl and flush the hyd. system ken

 

[Cousin Billy]

Thanks to all

I suppose the abs had me a little intimidated. I put on a new master cylinder and thoroughly flushed and bled all the lines.



All is fine now.



Sorry about the belated reply, but, thanks to all who read and/or replied to my post. Your time is appreciated.



Cousin Bill



Don't let abs bluff you, just do it!