wpginterceptor Posted June 6, 2020 Report Share Posted June 6, 2020 (edited) strange issue.. Did a complete brake job on wifes car, front and rear rotors and brake pads all around! now, when I go to start the car after sitting overnight, the brake pedal is fairly hard to push.. so when I go to start the car I notice I have to push it much harder than normal! when car starts and runs the pedal is soft (brakes work fine).. go to Walmart, shop for hourish go to start car and pedal is soft. NOW...leave car overnight again and and go to start it in morning and pedal is stiff and have to push noticeably push hard to start car. not a major issue but definitely noticeable!! Edited June 6, 2020 by wpginterceptor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2late4u Posted June 6, 2020 Report Share Posted June 6, 2020 probally from the old pads wore down compared to the new pads when they get compressed, I wouldn't worry about it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wpginterceptor Posted June 6, 2020 Author Report Share Posted June 6, 2020 im not.. as I said just kinda strange! wonderin if anybody else has that too.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John/Horace Posted June 7, 2020 Report Share Posted June 7, 2020 Vacuum assist versus no vacuum assist. When car runs you have power brakes...which is vacuum assist via the booster shown in pic. Makes pedal easier to press. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wpginterceptor Posted June 7, 2020 Author Report Share Posted June 7, 2020 oh I understand that JOHN, but when car sits overnight the brake pedal is hard, but after she starts and I drive to Walmart, go inside shop etc and 2 hours later come out the brake is soft.. but when I go to start it after overnight the brake is hard! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jkeaton Posted June 8, 2020 Report Share Posted June 8, 2020 Did it do this before? As John stated, it's pretty much normal. There is no vacuum assist when the vehicle is off, which will result in a hard pedal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John/Horace Posted June 8, 2020 Report Share Posted June 8, 2020 Vacuum booster has check valve so it holds vacuum for a period of time...say a Wallymart shopping visit for 2 hrs so assist still there on restart. Over night especially in winter, vacuum lost and engine needs few seconds to recharge booster, so initial stiff pedal. If pedal pressure is varying while driving, could be a master cyclinder issue. Since about 1969 all master cyclinders are two stage design (probably US federal gov safety mandate). If primary seal fails, the pedal almost to the floor will still have a large amount of braking ability. Not full since back up stage is smaller bore, but enough to theoretically stop car. My first car a 1967 beetle had four drum brakes and a single stage master cyclinder; but a working hand brake got me home once. So it is important to pay close attention to how well your brakes operate. Minimum standard ahhh no. jkeaton 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DodgeBoyz Posted August 25, 2021 Report Share Posted August 25, 2021 On 6/6/2020 at 12:17 PM, wpginterceptor said: strange issue.. Did a complete brake job on wifes car, front and rear rotors and brake pads all around! now, when I go to start the car after sitting overnight, the brake pedal is fairly hard to push.. so when I go to start the car I notice I have to push it much harder than normal! when car starts and runs the pedal is soft (brakes work fine).. go to Walmart, shop for hourish go to start car and pedal is soft. NOW...leave car overnight again and and go to start it in morning and pedal is stiff and have to push noticeably push hard to start car. not a major issue but definitely noticeable!! I know this is an old post but I was wondering if you ever solved this problem? Mine does the exact same thing and the brake pedal is so hard after sitting overnight that I can't push it down, and it won't start unless the brake is depressed and I literally have to force it down hard to start it. The temperature doesn't seem to matter as mine has done it in my warm condo underground. It doesn't appear to be a vacuum problem but more of a brake fluid problem from forcing the brake caliper pistons back when a brake job is done because mine only started doing this after front/ back rotors and pads were replaced. The dealer say's the typical "this is normal" and "you probably never noticed it before" It's my 3rd. Dodge Journey and it's not normal. Is it possible there is air in the brake lines and over time the hydraulic effect of the air slowly pushes the brake pads out while sitting pushing the pads tight against the rotors? or did you find a solution? Thanks in advance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wpginterceptor Posted September 26, 2021 Author Report Share Posted September 26, 2021 Mine still does it, but I can push it hard enough to start it! then lets say i go shopping and come out from the shopping mall the pedal is soft and ez to start! its when i leave it overnight and the next morning the pedal is stiff and I have to push extra hard to start it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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