I can't tell if I'm just not used to the 4runner or if the brakes are wrong or if they can be adjusted at all. How far does everyones brake pedal travel to keep the vehicle stopped?

Here's the informal test: come to a normal stop, release the brakes just enough to creep forward, now press them again till the vehicle stops. Now how far down is the pedal??

In reference to the gas pedal, mine is about even. Than seems a bit far to me. It feels like I have to push the pedal pretty far to get the brakes to come on. Once they are on, they feel really good, no lack of stopping power. It isn't really that it takes more to keep the vehicle stopped, just that there is too much "dead" travel.

Am I just wierd and picky? Is this about normal?

Thanks in advance!

There is no adjustment as it's a hydraulic system. That being said, if you don't think/know they feel right, I'd have it looked at under warranty.

I will take it in, but I'd like to get an idea of how correct, or incorrect, my expectations are. If 3 or 4 people say they have the same setup, then I'm less inclined to think there is a problem.

If I walk into the dealer and say "this doesnt feel right" they'll drive it and say "there's nothing wrong".

There's an inch or so that does nothing. Its there on my 4th gen and my mom's uzj100.

Its normal.

It feels as though there is no resistance then it all of a sudden "resists"

I've only got 500+ miles on my TE and I'm still getting used to the required foot pressure for super smooth braking. I feel the pedal travel is a little excessive especially after Toyota's "issues" over the past year or so: The long travel has found me catching my foot on the edge of the pedal a few times in stop 'n go traffic, not good. I prefer pedals equal distance from the floor, a throwback from the old "heel and tow" days.
I've also noticed a few ABS type clicks and clunks thru the pedal I've not experienced before.

I've got a 2010 Limited with ~2200 miles and from day one i have felt like the brakes have too much dead space and not much modulation. the braking is still sufficient, but I'll be mentioning this to the techs when i take it in for my 5k service. It seems like the brake lines need to be bled.

What did the brake pedal feel like on the 4Runner you test drove before you bought it? If it feels different then you probably have a problem. I test drove a SR5 the first day it arrived and they felt exactly the same as my Limited and knew what I was buying.

If you did'nt drive test drive another 4Runner,don't remember or never drove another 4Runner then now would be a good time to go to a dealer,test drive another one and compare.Maybe yours does need bled or has a problem?There are plenty on the lots now.Tell them you want to buy another one if the brakes are good!

Yes , there is some play in the brake pedal that you should get used to, at least I did years ago. It feels the same as my 4th Gen Runner was and the same as the GF's 3rd Gen I drove to work today after I changed her oil.
It's a Toyota Truck thing.....

Do you own a 5th or are you basing your 'answer' off your previous gen 4R?

I guarantee its exactly the same system and yes Ive test driven an 5th.

Hows your radar detector thats pointed at the sky?

kthxbye

Test driving and owning daily are two very different things. People should avoid making assumptions about things they do not know about, especially when it comes to safety. Unless you are a Toyota engineer or have the part numbers to compare the entire system please to not 'guarantee' us anything.

Thanks for the replies guys. I'm taking it in this afternoon and will mention it to them.

I have no idea what the brakes were like on the test drive. Honestly I was just trying not to crash the thing, it took a bit getting used to coming from my Subaru.

In reality, I think the brakes are fine. I'm just picky. So if they can re-bleed them and make them have less play I'll be super happy. I'll let you know how it goes.

eskimochaos knows everything about everything. Or at least he thinks he does. Seriously though, I drove a 5th gen the other day and I noticed that there is definitely more free play in the brake pedal than my 4th gen. It was a noticeable difference to me. The first time I hit the brake pedal, I got a bit of an adrenaline rush when I had to press down further on the pedal to get braking.

Hey Ryan,

Were they able to adjust this for you?

It's not a dealbreaker by any means but I'm actually finding the brakes more and more annoying. I'm no racer but I am familiar with threshold braking, trail braking, ABS, etc. and these just don't have a good feel.
It's a little hard to explain, but for example, when coming to a stop sign, initial braking feels good and adequete but I find myself pushing much harder than expected and coming close to overshooting my stopping point. Also feels like I need to bleed them, I need to keep increasing brake pressure when stopped at a light to avoid creeping.
The clicks and clunks are getting to me as well. Are these normal? (no, I'm not driving around with crawl control on )
Is this just the continued "dumbing down" of cars and I'm trying to modulate the brakes when I should be just stomping them?
Still love the truck. (/rant)

If it really bothers you, you can always look into installing a more hi-performance type brake pad. You can also swap out the rubber brake lines for stainless steel. Both of these changes will give you a more firm brake feel.

But before I did any of that, I'd definitely drive another 5th gen to determine if it feels the same as yours.