So I bought a slightly used 2011 4runner LE with 9000 miles on it. Looked good had it check and everything was fine. I had a 2011 Honda pilot and wife has a brand new 2011 4runner LE. I noticed that the brake was very mushy for a lack of a better word compared to my wifes new one. Going to take it in to the dealer, but I was wondering if anyone had any ideas why this would be.
Brake issue, I think???
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rjmckay99
New member
If you do a quick search on the forum you will find you are not alone in feeling this way. Unfortunately what you will probably find the dealer not very helpful because there is nothing to fix.
I noticed the brake feel when I test drove, but honestly now that I have the vehicle and drive it regularly I hardly notice. Its has just become a quirk of the 4R. To me there is far more to like than dislike. You might find this yourself after you have had it for a little while. It doesn't hurt to have them check it out, however, I am no mechanic and there may be something wrong.
Some ideas to consider that won't help pedal feel, but will help overall brake feel. Switching from P rated tires to a LT rated tire with a stiffer sidewall will help a bit. Also many people with lifts say that it eliminated brake dive. But it mainly comes down to just adjusting how you brake to compensate for the different feel. Hope that helps you out a bit.
I noticed the brake feel when I test drove, but honestly now that I have the vehicle and drive it regularly I hardly notice. Its has just become a quirk of the 4R. To me there is far more to like than dislike. You might find this yourself after you have had it for a little while. It doesn't hurt to have them check it out, however, I am no mechanic and there may be something wrong.
Some ideas to consider that won't help pedal feel, but will help overall brake feel. Switching from P rated tires to a LT rated tire with a stiffer sidewall will help a bit. Also many people with lifts say that it eliminated brake dive. But it mainly comes down to just adjusting how you brake to compensate for the different feel. Hope that helps you out a bit.
Laubage
New member
I had a 2011 SR5 and the brakes felt mushy to me too. It got to the point where if I wasn't looking outside, I would start rolling inadvertently. When I rear ended someone at a stop light because of this (no damage), I decided to have to dealer look at it. They adjusted the brake cables for me and it felt a lot better.
Other than that, they said the brakes and fluid seemed normal.
Other than that, they said the brakes and fluid seemed normal.
Antman
Elite Member
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Laubage
New member
I don't know... that's what they said. They said they removed the rear bumper and adjusted some sort of cable.
Blacksunshyne
New member
He is compairing his slightly used 2011 4R to wifes new 2011 4R.
These trucks do have a soft "mushy" brake feel. I would get it checked out any way if it feels much different than your wife's 4R. Who knows, the previous owner might have tried to work on his own brakes and not been up to the task. I have owned a used Toyota or two that will make you hate POs (Previous Owners)
1engineer
Moderator
Ah yes. My mistake. Did not read apparently.
westwind77
New member
Does this mean I am suppose to read it with some funky Alaskan accent?
NHinAK
New member
:toilet3:
MeetJoeAsian
New member
can u further elaborate on the "mushy" feeling? I previously had a 2010 T4R and sold it last June, and i just bought another 2010 Limited 2 days ago after relocating to Hawaii. Its been awhile since I drove a T4R, and I've been driving a BMW 335i for the past few months, and now that I got another T4R, the brakes are noticeably different (which is expected). But i feel like maybe something is not right. I bought the truck with 8100 miles on it from a reputable dealership and I know it hasn't been in a wreck or anything. I thought it may just be me, but I set up an appointment at the Toyota dealership to have it looked at anyway.
What I'm noticing is that when i tap the brake pedal to slow down OR even while is already at a dead stop, the pedal has a weird kinda somewhat grindy feeling as it sort of going softer or feeling like the pedal is pushing down further. In a way, it kinda feels like when you bleed your brakes or so.
In any case I'm taking it in on Thursday to get looked at. I don't remember if my previous gen5 T4R felt this way.
Again, it could just be me, coming back from driving a BMW. I remember when I picked up the car the other day, I thought maybe there was something wrong with the steering wheel cuz it was hella soft compared to the 335i.
What I'm noticing is that when i tap the brake pedal to slow down OR even while is already at a dead stop, the pedal has a weird kinda somewhat grindy feeling as it sort of going softer or feeling like the pedal is pushing down further. In a way, it kinda feels like when you bleed your brakes or so.
In any case I'm taking it in on Thursday to get looked at. I don't remember if my previous gen5 T4R felt this way.
Again, it could just be me, coming back from driving a BMW. I remember when I picked up the car the other day, I thought maybe there was something wrong with the steering wheel cuz it was hella soft compared to the 335i.
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tjnaples
New member
Right next to the combobulator.
I think the reason you have not gotten an answer on this question is that it has been beaten to death over the last year or so. Do a search either using the search function on the forum or better yet, goggle it. 5th Gen Toyota 4 Runner, brake noise, squishy sound, soft feeling etc. etc. You will find many threads. AND, since you are going into the stealer's den of inequity on Thursday, you will probably get your "official" answer there. Bottom line, although it has been called many things, in many ways, it usually comes out as "Normal". Not to say you do not have a problem, but the odds are......
Be Safe.
