Brakes woes

[Anbele]

Just finished a complete redo of the suspension and brakes system—only thing not replaced on the brakes was the booster, steel lines and the compensator valve. Everything else is brand new: master cylinder, calipers, rotors, brakes hoses, compensator linkage and hand brake cable. Although I spent quite an amount of time vacuum and gravity bleeding the system—I expected that since it was completely empty it was going to take a long time to get the air all out. But apparently, I did not spend enough on it cuz my brakes are still feeling a bit spongy I think. Since I bought the car about a year ago, I don’t have a good reference point. I feel the brakes feel the same as before…a bit spongy. Is this the “real” feeling? Or should I feel them short and hard when I press the pedal?

[Nut124]

The brakes will never be like modern power brakes.

Can you lock them up by stepping on them hard? If not, then air is possible or likely.

[davidbruce]

As Nut said you should be able to lock the fronts. If the compensator is adjusted and working properly it should block the flow to the rears when the fronts lock. With the engine running. If you pump the brakes hard and fast, does the pedal firm up and rise slightly. If so that''s a sure sign of air in the system. I'm sure you bled the brakes with the axle supported. Did you check that the compensator piston moves freely?