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Expert: - 1/8/2007


Question
Hi i have a nissan D21 4x4 the year is 1997 p reg i recently replaced the full brake system meaning brake pads and cylinders and have bled them yet pedal is stil spongy and when i press it i get what can only describe has a moaning sound but dont know where from the pedal only goes spongy when engine running when not running i pump it and it becomes hard to push down but not so running  

Answer
Darran,

It sounds as though you still have air in the brake lines.  Make sure that you are bleeding them properly.  Have the engine running when you bleed them, and start at the right rear, then the left rear, then the right front, finishing with the left front.  A bleeding kit will help a lot, especially if you are trying to do this by yourself.  They come in a variety of styles ranging from, less than $10 to $50 or so.  A cheap one will work good enough to help get all of the air out of the system.
You might consider purchasing a repair manual for your Nissan.
A Chilton's or a Hayne's manual can be purchased at most auto parts stores for around $20.  They have a lot of information on basic trouble shooting,  These manuals are designed for a year or range of years for specific vehicles, and are invaluable if you are planning on doing any repairs, or maintenance yourself.

Carl

4 Wheel Drive/SUVs

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Carl Brandt

Expertise

Will discuss suspensions, lifts, lockers along with tire suggestions. Trail ratings and possible requirements needed for specific type of trails. Safety equipment and what you should carry with you. Certified off-road instructor. I am not a mechanic, and 4-Wheeling is a hobby, so if I can't answer a technical question it is due to my mechanical knowledge being related to vehicles that I have owned, or have worked on. I do not have manuals on all vehicles.

Experience

40 plus years of 4 wheeling in a variety of vehicles. At the present time, my major off-road rig is a 94 Jeep Wrangler with a spring over and a 1 1/2" suspension lift. This gives me a total lift of 7" or so. I have lockers front and rear. I have removed the track bars, and sway bar for maximum articulation. I am running a stock 2.5 ltr 4 cylinder with a Jacobs ignition along with a cold air high flow filter. It has 4.56:1 gears with a Dodge NV4500 transmission along with a 3.8:1 Atlas II transfer case. This gives me a final ratio of 105:1 in low gear/low range. Other vehicles I own, are a 96 Ford F-250 with a 6" lift, posi rear end, 36" Hummer tires, 5 speed with a fuel injected 460 ci engine, an 87 Samurai with an 8" lift, Ford 9" rear end with a spool, Chevy Dana 44 front end with an electric locker, 5.88 gears, 16% reduction in high range and a 6.5:1 low range with 35" Baja Claws, and a stock 2003 Grand Cherokee Overland. Trails I have run are the Rubicon (10 times), Dusey Ershim, Fordyce Creek trail, McGrew trail, several trails in Moab, Utah along with local monthly runs.

Organizations
Lost Coast 4x4's Cal 4-Wheel Corva UFWDA Blue Ribbon Coalition

Education/Credentials
Certified off-road instructor - Certificates in engineering/electronics

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