1998 Saab 900s Brake Problems

I changed the front brake pads on my 1998 Saab 900s Convertible. I changed the driver's side with no problem, car drove and stopped great. Then I went to change the passenger's side. Everything went smooth. Then I went to take it for a test drive, and noticed very low pressure in my brake pedal. I pumped it a few times, still it was low and I had to pressed the brake all the way to the floor in order to get the car to stop from 3 mph. I opened the hood and notice brake fluid had leaked all from the reservoir and brake master cylinder. What had happened was there was too much brake fluid in the system, and when I compressed the brake piston to put new pads on I think all the fluid from the line was forced back up towards the reservoir, which was full, so it seeped from the cap and space there about. I then went to bleed the left front passenger side brake, but I can only get small amounts of brake fluid (with air bubbles) to come out at a time when I gravity bleed it. I spent a couple hours doing this, with the same results. I really have no idea what to do now. When the car is off, I can pump until the brake pedal is stiff, but cannot when the car is on. Also, it seems that I can bleed a little more fluid from the brake line when the car is on compared to when it is off.

So I really don't know what to do. Do i have to bleed it more? Could I have busted a leak in the master cylinder? This is extremely frustrating, I went to do a quick brake pad change, and now it has turned into a 2 day project! Any advice or help would be greatly appreciated! unless the fluid was low to start with, compressing the pads shouldnt of drained the whole master cyl. but if the master did run dry, your gonna have to bleed the master cyl and all 4 wheels to get all the air out of the system.

gravity bleeding wont work. u need to either do a manual bleed with a helper to press the brake pedal as u bleed each location, or use a vacuum bleeding kit which allows one person to do it. u can pick one up at a parts store and follow the instructions. in the shop we pressure bleed brake systems but the equipment is kinda expensive for a diy'er. or u could take it to a shop and have them do it.

u didnt mention doing anything with the rotors. anytime u replace pads, the rotors should be either machined or replaced, otherwise the new pads will wear out a lot faster and could cause reduced braking performance. so in addition to bleeding the system, u should either take the rotors to a shop and have them turned, or else get new ones. if the rotors are worn too thin to be turned, youll need to replace them. but the bleeding should be done first, cause it aint safe to drive the car the way it is. Hey, I really appreciate the help. Another thought I had was maybe when I used a clamp to push the brake piston back into place the piston locked somehow? However, it seems like i have almost no brakes at all! So i'm not sure. The brake fluid was plenty full, and I only learned after the fact that I am suppose to leave the brake fluid cap open when changing pads. I didn't which is what caused a good amount to fluid to leak everywhere. Could I have damaged the brake booster or cylinder when I compressed the brake piston? Once again, when I went to drain the brake lines with the help of my dad (who was pumping, while i was opening and closing the bleeder valve) I only got a little liquid each time i opened the valve after my dad pumped the brakes. I didn't start from the rear left, I just started from the front left, because after i changed that brake pad thats when I had the problem!

Thanks again for all the help! I sure need it! so the master cyl didnt run dry? in other words after u pushed the pistons back and the fluid got all over the place, there was still plenty in the master? The reservoir was completely full. I doubt the master cylinder ran dry. well, i aint too familiar with saab brake systems, but on some cars theres special procedures for replacing brakes when u got abs (antilock brakes). it could be that when u pushed the pistons back, the brake fluid going backwards thru the lines may of un-centered a valve in the abs hydraulic modulator. if thats the case, u most likely would need a high end scantool that does abs functions to re-center it.

again, this is just a guess. maybe someone else that knows more about saabs can help us both out here.Car Repair Talk's forum.