Ok my pads were damn near completely gone. So I through a new set of pads on (rotors looked fine. I gently sanded them.) Anyways, now my pedal if I pump it it will get stiff, and then if i push long enough it goes soft. Or if just driving and I hit the brakes it will be super soft and close to the floor. The e-brake is SUPER firm and works well. Could it be the MC went out? I didn't disconnect any brake lines, and I am going to try and bleed out the front after work. Anyone else have an ideas?

Having no idea what you are working on, and if you have drum brakes in the rear, I am going to assume that you put your pads on properly, making sure:

1) the pads slide freely in the caliper

2) the caliper mounts are free and lubricated

3) your caliper adapters are tight

 

I would look to rear brake adjustment FIRST before anything else. This is not to say your system could not use flushed with clean, new, brake fluid, but a low pedal, or a pedal you can pump up, with rear drum brakes, tells me the first place to look is the rear brake adjustment to get your pedal off the floor..

Car is a 89 wagon, DL i believe (no power windows, locks etc..)

 

Yes it has drums in the rear.

 

I did not put the shims in, But i believe that will only make it so they dont squeak. I have left them out before.

 

The ebrake works perfect and is SUPER firm. The pedal is now soft, was not before changing the pads.

Sounds like a bad MC, its sort of typical for one thats on its way out to go bad after changing shoes/pads.

 

First rule out the booster, as they can give the same symptons. Pump the brake pedal 5 times or more with the engine off. With your foot on the brake pedal, start the car. The pedal should move towards the floor.

 

nipper

When you were turning the piston back in, did you open the bleeder or push the fluid back to the MC? Pushing the fluid back into the MC can damage the seals. You should always open the bleeder.

 

rex

pushed the fluid back to the MC. This could be it because it almost sounds like I can hear air near the MC. Where can I buy seals for it?

On a MC its usually safer to buy a rebuilt unit then doing it yourself.

 

nipper