john gault

I just finished replacing the pads on my '03 GT. I syphoned out some of the brake fluid before I started, but the cylinder was easily 1/2 full.

I replaced both the front and rear pads, but did not replace or rebuild the calipers. It took me a little while to figure out how to collapse the rear calipers.

Once done I started the car and pumped the brakes a couple times and then went to top off the master cylinder.

The problem is that the fluid is right to the very top of the master cylinder. There is no way to top it off.

The pedal, which has always been good, is extremely spongy and will not come close to locking the brakes. The brakes work as long as you are going slow, but, as I say, no sudden stops and the pedal goes almost all the way to the floor.

I pulled all 4 wheels, and there are no leaks at any cylinder, and I definately did not loose any fluid while doing the job, unless it went out the top of the master cylinder. It is almost as though the master cylinder has pushed the fluid to the top section of the cylinder instead of sending it down the brake lines. the cylinder looks full from the outside, except for a small air bubble at the vary back (toward the firewall) of the reservior.

Can't figure out how anything I did would allow air into the system (I did not bleed the brakes as I couldn't see any reason it should be needed). I have done many break jobs before.

I don't know Fords well, this is my first Mustand and most my cars are either pre-war shortly thereafter.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

302_Mustang

I would bleed ALL the calipers first. Start on the passenger rear, them driver side rear, then passenger front and last the drivers front. Make sure to top off all the fluid between each one. Then if it still does the same, you'll probably need to bleed the master cylinder.

school boy

Check the side of the master cylinder. There may be two bleed valves needing to be bleed also.