UTV brakes soft or spongy: air in the lines and old fluid
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Applies to: Tracker OX 400, Linhai T-Boss and Crossfire, CFMoto and all hydraulic-brake UTVs
Symptoms
- Pedal sinks or feels soft
- Need to pump the pedal
- Brakes fade on long downhills
Why it happens
Air in the lines, water-contaminated fluid that boils when hot, or worn pads let the pedal travel too far.
How to fix it
- Check fluid level and color; dark fluid needs replacing.
- Inspect pads and lines for wear or leaks.
- Bleed each caliper in the order the manual gives.
- Refill with the DOT fluid type on the reservoir cap.
Tools and parts
- Brake fluid (correct DOT type)
- Bleeder hose and catch bottle
- Brake pads
What the factory service manual covers
Brakes: bleed sequence, fluid type, pad wear limits. The full procedure, specs and wiring diagrams are in the factory service manual for your machine.