Mushy Brakes

Hey all i have a bit of a problem.... My car has had a very bad unresponsive brakes since i have bought it.... Im not sure if its a bad vaccum or what.... I would justn like to have some response in my brakes back. Another thing i have noticed is that when i approach a complete stop i hear a clanking noise... And it only happens WHEN the brakes are applied. it goes away once i lift my foot off the pedal... So pleas anyone HELP!!!!

[Oldsman]

first off would be check rotors, calipers, bolts for calipers and caliber bracket. check pads. if everything looks good. might have to take it to a shop.

[3.4 Euro Alero]

Also, do you have rear drums or rotors?

all 4 are disc

[Vtolds]

Now I actaully looked in my haynes manual for this and spungy brakes is the abvious air in lines, or mastercylinder bolts loose or master cylinder gone. The clanking noise I guess could be a loose master cylinder.

[Redog]

I to vote for air in the lines but I also say for the clanking, check calipers bolts

I actually thouight about the possibility of air... im glad im not crazy to think that now... thanks everyone i appreciate your help!!!!

Very first of all I'd pop the hood and make sure your reservoir is full of brake fluid.

I would say check the brake fluid too, my brakes were mushy, fluid was low, put more in, and problem solved. I don't remember if there was a clanking sound or not, since then my front pads have been changed.

[AftermathAlero]

Bleed the brakes like 5 times all the way around. if still mushy.. master cylinder is bad, change that then re-bleed the brakes again.

[eag182]

There is a great topic - not sure where - about the noise most get when braking. Apparently easily fixed by some lubracation but I think you should look for that topic first.

Brake fluid is full

It could be the hoses themselves since they are made of rubber.