need to pump breaks up to stop well
 

what is causing this? recently my breaks became much softer, and now it works better to pump them a few times to get them to tighten up when stopping or it takes much more stopping distance to get haulted. ALso when I step on the breake pedal, there it a hissing noise. Is that a bad booster, maybe the master cylinder seals are bad. pads are new, thanks.

Try changing the fluid in your brake system. That's the cheapest fix! :D From what you've described it sounds like the master cylinder though.

what is the best way to change the fluid as I have never done it before. Sounds like a nightmare. Im so bad with breaks.

:confused: Never did it before. This may sound we tall did, but try cracking the bleeders open and pump like hell. Then just fill the master cylinder and bleed as normal. I'm probably wrong. I usually am. :p

Could be air in the lines, or bad master cylinder.

To change fluid, buy FORD HEAVY DUTY ONLY !!! (was that clear?) :D
Then locate the bleeder screw on the caliper. Crack it open one revolution. When you pump the brakes, it will dribble out. Then you add new fluid to the master cylinder to top it off. Thats _basically_ it.

Get a Chilton's repair book for 10 pages of thorough explanation (versus my 2 liner).

If the brake pedal is soft then start checking hoses for cracks. My rear brake hose cracked recently and I had to pump it in order to get some grab. The fluid in the back side of the master cylinder was way down so for me it was quite obvious. Check to see if your fluid is disappearing and if not then its probably the master cylinder.