[DoubleD]

Hey everyone.
I've got a 2019 charger hellcat.
For the past summer I've noticed my break pedal is pretty spongy. Specially compared to other vehicles. (Fathers ram truck, wife's Toyota venza. Etc..) I know comparing other vehicles with much different braking components isn't viable...

I just don't remember my break pedal being this soft. Car has 18000km I hardly use it.

Trouble shooting so far. The rear rotors don't seem to be used much. Thought maybe something was jammed back there. But rear breaks are bitting and blead lightghly to see if there's any air back there. Nothing helped so far. Otherwise haven't touched anything involving the breaking system since new. Any suggestions?

 

[Blickie]

Hey everyone.
I've got a 2019 charger hellcat.
For the past summer I've noticed my break pedal is pretty spongy. Specially compared to other vehicles. (Fathers ram truck, wife's Toyota venza. Etc..) I know comparing other vehicles with much different braking components isn't viable...

I just don't remember my break pedal being this soft. Car has 18000km I hardly use it.

Trouble shooting so far. The rear rotors don't seem to be used much. Thought maybe something was jammed back there. But rear breaks are bitting and blead lightghly to see if there's any air back there. Nothing helped so far. Otherwise haven't touched anything involving the breaking system since new. Any suggestions?

"Pretty Spongy" is very vague. When is it spongy, are you driving; if so what speeds, sitting still with then engine idling??

When did the spongy pedal start and when was it okay??

What is the brake fluid level in the master cylinder??

Any brake or ABS work at all??

I trust there are no brake fluid leaks ever...

How old is your battery & is it original?? Yes, serious question. These cars have a complex booster check valve that requires a strong battery, which I learned on my '19.

Ok, do these steps to check the booster and the master cylinder:

1. Engine off, press on the brake pedal enough times to deplete the booster vacuum reserve and the brake pedal is high and very hard with no power assist. How may pedal presses did it take to deplete the vacuum to no power assist? Should be 2 to 2.5 pedal presses. This is the first booster test.

2. Now, press on the brake pedal and hold for 15 - 20 seconds. Do not pump; press and hold. The brake pedal should only depress/drop about an inch or 3 centimeters. Did the brake pedal sink at all or did it remain firm and not sink after the first inch and did not sink at all for those 15 - 20 seconds? After the 15 - 20 seconds, release the brake pedal. This is the master cylinder bypass/serviceability test.

3. Now, press and hold the brake pedal; it'll be high and hard. Start the engine while holding your foot on the pedal the whole time; how far did the pedal drop? When the engine starts, the pedal should drop about 1 inch and stop and hold. This is the second part of the booster test.

These tests assume there is ample brake fluid in the reservoir and the brakes do not need bleeding.

 

[Slowpoke387]

Spongey BRAKE pedal usually means air in the system. Start by bleeding your brake lines.

 

[audocat]

Spongy BRAKE pedal usually means air in the system. Start by bleeding your brake lines.

Can't believe you haven't busted the other guys balls for his "break light holes" LOL

 

[Slowpoke387]

Can't believe you haven't busted the other guys balls for his "break light holes" LOL

Only because I havent seen it lol. He's lucky, I usually like to break people’s balls 😉

 

[ArchGE]

I’d just replace with a good DOT4 fluid. I like Motul but there are plenty of good ones out there. I like to buy my own fluid then to go my local Brakes Plus for them to flush and fill with their fancy machine. $45, 30 mins. and I’m out of there.

 

[baabootoo]

Use a pressure bleeder also since you can do them all in no time. I'd just use stock DOT 3 also.

 

[juanagofast]

Hey everyone.
I've got a 2019 charger hellcat.
For the past summer I've noticed my break pedal is pretty spongy. Specially compared to other vehicles. (Fathers ram truck, wife's Toyota venza. Etc..) I know comparing other vehicles with much different braking components isn't viable...

I just don't remember my break pedal being this soft. Car has 18000km I hardly use it.

Trouble shooting so far. The rear rotors don't seem to be used much. Thought maybe something was jammed back there. But rear breaks are bitting and blead lightghly to see if there's any air back there. Nothing helped so far. Otherwise haven't touched anything involving the breaking system since new. Any suggestions?

Happened to me once but car was fine next day. It was weird like pedal would move about 1" before any braking occurred. Weird

 

[DoubleD]

"Pretty Spongy" is very vague. When is it spongy, are you driving; if so what speeds, sitting still with then engine idling??

When did the spongy pedal start and when was it okay??

What is the brake fluid level in the master cylinder??

Any brake or ABS work at all??

I trust there are no brake fluid leaks ever...

How old is your battery & is it original?? Yes, serious question. These cars have a complex booster check valve that requires a strong battery, which I learned on my '19.

Ok, do these steps to check the booster and the master cylinder:

1. Engine off, press on the brake pedal enough times to deplete the booster vacuum reserve and the brake pedal is high and very hard with no power assist. How may pedal presses did it take to deplete the vacuum to no power assist? Should be 2 to 2.5 pedal presses. This is the first booster test.

2. Now, press on the brake pedal and hold for 15 - 20 seconds. Do not pump; press and hold. The brake pedal should only depress/drop about an inch or 3 centimeters. Did the brake pedal sink at all or did it remain firm and not sink after the first inch and did not sink at all for those 15 - 20 seconds? After the 15 - 20 seconds, release the brake pedal. This is the master cylinder bypass/serviceability test.

3. Now, press and hold the brake pedal; it'll be high and hard. Start the engine while holding your foot on the pedal the whole time; how far did the pedal drop? When the engine starts, the pedal should drop about 1 inch and stop and hold. This is the second part of the booster test.

These tests assume there is ample brake fluid in the reservoir and the brakes do not need bleeding.

Great info, its greatly appreciated!

did all the test and i would say pass all of them. but one thing you mentioned - my battery.. I checked it with a smart charger, and it was low 11.5v .. its charging now back to 100% going to test the car tonight.

 

[Blickie]

Great info, its greatly appreciated!

did all the test and i would say pass all of them. but one thing you mentioned - my battery.. I checked it with a smart charger, and it was low 11.5v .. its charging now back to 100% going to test the car tonight.

Your battery is north of 3 almost 4 years old. You can check to see if the battery still has enough amperage capacity by going to the Performance Pages/After Run Cooler & note the Battery Status Indicator. I suspect the Status Indicator will not pass and you'll need a battery.

Suggest a H8 Battery & the new hold down noted in this post.

Dealer Cannot Duplicate the Problem

We have a 2019 Dodge Charger Hellcat with 7219 miles. Twice now we have had to have MOPAR Road Side Assistance come and jump-start the car for us. We have had it to the dealer on both occasions now to try and track down the problem. So far they have not been able to duplicate the issue. My wife...

www.hellcat.org

 

[baabootoo]

Anything yet after the brake bleed?