Spongy Brakes....

[LincolnSixAlpha]

I'd like to gather some other's opinions regarding the JL's brakes, as mine seem to be spongey when stopping. Weird thing is that this behavior didn't really appear until about 2K on the motor. Prior to that, the brakes were awesome. However I've got just over 10K on my rig now, and the behavior has not gone away. It kinda makes me nuts, but not enough to bother with the dealer. On occasion, during startup, the breaks are completely pumped up to the max, requiring some effort to put pressure into the pedal to get the vehicle started. Other times, not. Sometimes when stopped at a light, I need to double-pump the breaks to keep enough pressure on them so that the pedal is not pushed so close to the floor.

I've checked the master cylinder and appears full without any contamination, or bubbles, etc. Thoughts?

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[Arterius2]

Mine has been “spongy” as you described, everyone who has driven my Jeep tells me that you have to give the pedal a lot of travel to give it enough brakes vs their own vehicle.

 

[Maverick909]

id take this into the dealer. while its got a good chance at being a warranty item. im at 3K and my JLU brakes are still like brand new. no spongy no long distance travel

 

[Fuel Fire Desire]

I have a very early production 2018 with 20,000mi. No spongy brakes, no long pedal travel. Pedal feel is the same as my challenger, and more responsive than my previous JK. I’d take it to the dealer. There’s no reason for the pedal to be on the floor at a light. In fact, my pedal feel and travel is such that the slightest pedal pressure holds me in place at a light, light enough for autostart to not engage unless I want it to (by adding medium pressure when stopped).

 

[Arterius2]

I have a very early production 2018 with 20,000mi. No spongy brakes, no long pedal travel. Pedal feel is the same as my challenger, and more responsive than my previous JK. I’d take it to the dealer. There’s no reason for the pedal to be on the floor at a light. In fact, my pedal feel and travel is such that the slightest pedal pressure holds me in place at a light, light enough for autostart to not engage unless I want it to (by adding medium pressure when stopped).

Darn it! looks like another dealer visit for me as well , the service rep at the dealership is starting to recognize me by my voice now...

 

[JeepCares]

I'd like to gather some other's opinions regarding the JL's brakes, as mine seem to be spongey when stopping. Weird thing is that this behavior didn't really appear until about 2K on the motor. Prior to that, the brakes were awesome. However I've got just over 10K on my rig now, and the behavior has not gone away. It kinda makes me nuts, but not enough to bother with the dealer. On occasion, during startup, the breaks are completely pumped up to the max, requiring some effort to put pressure into the pedal to get the vehicle started. Other times, not. Sometimes when stopped at a light, I need to double-pump the breaks to keep enough pressure on them so that the pedal is not pushed so close to the floor.

I've checked the master cylinder and appears full without any contamination, or bubbles, etc. Thoughts?

Hi LincolnSixAlpha,
We are sorry to hear that you are experiencing this. If you decide to have your dealer address this, please send us a private message and we would be happy to offer some additional assistance!
Alex
Jeep Social Care Specialist

 

[LincolnSixAlpha]

I have a very early production 2018 with 20,000mi. No spongy brakes, no long pedal travel. Pedal feel is the same as my challenger, and more responsive than my previous JK. I’d take it to the dealer. There’s no reason for the pedal to be on the floor at a light. In fact, my pedal feel and travel is such that the slightest pedal pressure holds me in place at a light, light enough for autostart to not engage unless I want it to (by adding medium pressure when stopped).

What you described is what I experienced for the first 2K miles or thereabouts. I came from a 2015 BMW 435i and had many BMW's prior which have always had very strong brakes. I was happy to know that this JLUR also had good brakes. Sadly, those days are gone. I guess I'll look into getting it back to the dealer.

Worth pointing out, I don't think this is air in the line kind of issue. I'm well familiar with that, and there are no bubbles that I can feel or discern through the pedal travel, so my only thoughts lead to some sort of vacuum leak or perhaps issue with the master cylinder.

 

[LincolnSixAlpha]

Hi LincolnSixAlpha,
We are sorry to hear that you are experiencing this. If you decide to have your dealer address this, please send us a private message and we would be happy to offer some additional assistance!
Alex
Jeep Social Care Specialist

Thanks, I will certainly let you know, I'll likely reach out to the dealer today to see about scheduling a visit.

 

[Jlrut]

I'd like to gather some other's opinions regarding the JL's brakes, as mine seem to be spongey when stopping. Weird thing is that this behavior didn't really appear until about 2K on the motor. Prior to that, the brakes were awesome. However I've got just over 10K on my rig now, and the behavior has not gone away. It kinda makes me nuts, but not enough to bother with the dealer. On occasion, during startup, the breaks are completely pumped up to the max, requiring some effort to put pressure into the pedal to get the vehicle started. Other times, not. Sometimes when stopped at a light, I need to double-pump the breaks to keep enough pressure on them so that the pedal is not pushed so close to the floor.

I've checked the master cylinder and appears full without any contamination, or bubbles, etc. Thoughts?

Similar issue. I was off roading...not difficult just a little mud. (a stock jeep liberty was on the ride with street tires) About half way thru, the brake pedal went so far that I thought I had lost the brakes. Thought water/mud. But they could be pumped up. Cleaned everything up and enough time to dry out and still the same. So I took it in last week and they bled the brakes and said if that was not the fix then they would order a new master cylinder. That didn't fix the issue so they've ordered the master cylinder. LOL it's on back order and the target date in the end of the month (May) before it expected in. No, I'm not really laughing, just not surprised.

 

[LincolnSixAlpha]

Similar issue. I was off roading...not difficult just a little mud. (a stock jeep liberty was on the ride with street tires) About half way thru, the brake pedal went so far that I thought I had lost the brakes. Thought water/mud. But they could be pumped up. Cleaned everything up and enough time to dry out and still the same. So I took it in last week and they bled the brakes and said if that was not the fix then they would order a new master cylinder. That didn't fix the issue so they've ordered the master cylinder. LOL it's on back order and the target date in the end of the month (May) before it expected in. No, I'm not really laughing, just not surprised.

Since the tires have been recently rotated the tires (I rotate them every 3000 miles), and the brakes feel a little better. I call that weird! Anyhow, I never made it to the dealer. Just too lazy to deal with the drive, then dropping it off, and having to be inconvenienced with getting another car. Was so easy when owning a BMW, as they ALWAYS had a car for you to use when scheduling for maintenance.

I think I may switch the brake lines over to steel braided and ditch the stock/OEM rubber lines, figuring that may help some. Thinking some good Russell brake lines.

 

[Arterius2]

Similar issue. I was off roading...not difficult just a little mud. (a stock jeep liberty was on the ride with street tires) About half way thru, the brake pedal went so far that I thought I had lost the brakes. Thought water/mud. But they could be pumped up. Cleaned everything up and enough time to dry out and still the same. So I took it in last week and they bled the brakes and said if that was not the fix then they would order a new master cylinder. That didn't fix the issue so they've ordered the master cylinder. LOL it's on back order and the target date in the end of the month (May) before it expected in. No, I'm not really laughing, just not surprised.

Any update with the brakes?

 

[Jlrut]

Any update with the brakes?

they replaced the master cylinder ( took about 40 days for one to come in) and it seems to be stopping just as it should. So, I guess i should give them some credit for getting it right. BTW, my 2018 had steering issues and FCA took it back and my 2019 came in late Dec. 2018. they did a MSRP for MSRP swap which I thought was fair.

Other than the brakes, I've had no issues with the 2019. Still, still have less than 5,000 mile on it though. I added 35's so that makes stopping just a little less strong than with the original 33's. With the 33's, the stopping was really good.

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