Thread: Squishy brakes after replacing them. Replace boots and pin covers?

I replaced my front brakes a while ago. The brakes had about 40k, so they did have to be replaced. While removing the caliper bolt, I pulled out one of the rubber slides - NOT the boot. Every other time I've changed the brakes, that slide never came out. I've always used plenty of grease on the changes, and the caliper bolts came out with some grease still on them. I've also never replaced the rubber components.

Anyway, since I was able to put the old rubber slide back in by pushing it in with a screwdriver, my brakes have been pretty squishy. I had the brake fluid replaced as well, and that didn't improve it.

Would that rubber slide make that much of a difference? A new set of rubber components is pretty cheap, so I'll buy them and spend an hour swapping them if that will fix it.

^^^This. You might have a very slow leak somewhere as well

check the back brakes, low back pads can give you low pedal feel. and your brake lines for swelling. rubber gets old and weak, and a bubble can form.

I had a shop do the brake fluid, after the fronts were changed. I was going to put off the rears for another month, but that's probably the issue. The fronts were worn down past the slot, and I'm sure the rears are about the same.