[Alex_8734]

We have a 2004 Honda Recon TM, the front brakes had very little pressure and didn’t stop. We changed out the pads (that were totally gone) and they still didn’t stop. We have bled the brakes several times and still get no pressure. We tried the using adjusters, but no luck there. Any ideas we would be willing to try.

 

[shadetree]

you must use the wheel cylinder adjusters to get the shoes out as far as you can so the shoes barely drag on the drums. they have left hand and right hand threads.

 

[Alex_8734]

We tried that but we still don’t get any pressure or brakes.

 

[Goober]

My bet is that part of the problem is air in the hose just near the master cylinder. Rotate the handlebars so the master cylinder is higher than the hose. Don’t spill any brake fluid on paint!
In the master cylinder there may be a little disk. Pop it out and jiggle the brake lever you’ll see the air bubbles rise up out of the tiny fluid holes.

 

[retro]

...and adjust every wheel cylinder adjuster out tight so the brake shoes each drag hard on the drums, then bleed the brakes again. Once the air is out back off the adjusters 2 or 3 clicks. If the shoes were installed backwards you'll have lots of problems too, so verify those are right before you continue.

 

[Alex_8734]

Thank y’all, I will give that a try.

 

[Alex_8734]

There was air in hose near the master cylinder, so I did that and bled the brakes again. All is working well now, thanks for the help.

 

[retro]

Thanks for letting us know how you fixed it!

 

[shadetree]

thank you for the update !!.