Brakes extremely spongy after going offroad

[Coveman]

Normally wheeling shouldn't make brakes spongy later- something's not right. Find the culprit before your breaks...break!

 

[t-man]

Normally wheeling shouldn't make brakes spongy later- something's not right. Find the culprit before your breaks...break!

My thoughts exactly! Hopefully tomorrow as chance of rain is slim. Pouring out today!

 

[4RunnerFan]

Like a few others, I would check the brake fluid. If you did some serious braking the fluid may have overheated, and that's bad. This happened to my wife's vehicle after a trip we took to the Rocky Mountains (Colorado and Utah). The fluid had gotten a little darker in color. Replaced the brake fluid upon our return and all was fine.

 

[Sungod]

They don't need to be pumped, just have to press much much harder and farther.

That sounds more like glazing. The best descriptions I have heard from someone that had glazed pads was that it was almost like someone coated their brakes with grease.

 

[cgardnerma]

I have another thought.

You may have a seized caliper or two. Our trucks are prone to this in the front and mud + standing water may have pushed you over the edge. Unfortunately some remanufactured calipers are really the only practical fix if that is what it is, but you probably will find you need to do that anyway every 20-30K miles if you live in a slated roads area. They are not too expensive if you don;t go for OEM parts.

 

[t-man]

Didn't have time to pull the tires off today but I did do some experiments. If I pump the brakes 2-3 times they feel normal. No pressure bleeds out, and fluid is still full.

 

[t-man]

Been meaning to update, been really busy. First, I bleed the brakes last week, fluid actually looked really good, but it's all fresh for sure now... Didnt help in any way.
Today I pulled tires off, pads out and had my son pump the brakes. The outside pistons moved, the inside two didn't budge... On both sides of the truck! Wtf! So now I have to get two front rotors... Ugh.
Any suggestions for a replacement that doesn't brake the bank.? *pun intended* ;-)

 

[zopperman]

Been meaning to update, been really busy. First, I bleed the brakes last week, fluid actually looked really good, but it's all fresh for sure now... Didnt help in any way.
Today I pulled tires off, pads out and had my son pump the brakes. The outside pistons moved, the inside two didn't budge... On both sides of the truck! Wtf! So now I have to get two front rotors... Ugh.
Any suggestions for a replacement that doesn't brake the bank.? *pun intended* ;-)

advance auto - buy online, use code TRT30 - came out to like 120 for 2 front calipers

 

[t-man]

advance auto - buy online, use code TRT30 - came out to like 120 for 2 front calipers

Thanks! Much cheaper than what I was finding!

 

[Brutalguyracing]

Thats where i got mine too
Advanced has some great online deals

 

[t-man]

Bought new front rotors. Problem solved. Now I have to get used to my awesome brakes again!

You can see it was causing one side brake pads to wear really fast.. Damn thing!

 

[t-man]

Thats where i got mine too
Advanced has some great online deals

Thanks again. Bought both sides for $125! No complaints!