does your brake pedal go to the floor?

[Ghostface80]

I just got back from Longo Toyota and paid 535 to have completely new rotors and pads done, they said nothing was wrong with the master cylinder. The pulsating feeling when slowing down to a complete stop is gone, but I'm still able to push the brake all the way down if I want to. It only takes about 50% pressure to come to a complete stop, but when I'm at a stop and I'm continuing to add pressure to the brake pedal I can get it to the floor in about 5 seconds. Is this normal? Also, when the car is shut off and I press the brake pedal hard.. I hear air coming out from the pedal area and again I can touch the pedal to the floor with a few seconds of hard pressure. For those without a brake problem, can you do this also?

 

[Ghostface80]

ttt

 

[TeCKis300]

Again,

There is absolutely no way your brake pedal should ever be able to touch the floor under any circumstances. Did you show the tech how you are able to put the brakes all the way to the floor? I would not drive the vehicle until you get this resolved.

I encourage you to push the issue until they get it right. Just as an example to how tech's are idiots these days and forget how to troubleshoot anything beyond the simple maintenance items... My dad kept bringing his '98 SC300 into Longo Lexus complaining about "high pedal effort" to stop the car. They insisted nothing was wrong and "all of them are like that." All they would push was to replace rotors and pads (like you) even though he had more than 40% left all around.

I finally dropped by home one day to check it out for him since . High pedal effort indicates a bad brake booster. I told him to bring it back for them to explain to them why they should be looking at the brake booster but they said "those never fail" and sent him back. Vacuum lines all checked out as well. Long story short, I ordered a new brake booster and replaced it for him myself. Mystery sovled and his brakes are strong and confidence inspiring again.

Good luck!

 

[MicaBlue03]

I just tried this (with the engine off) to make sure. The pedal never goes to the floor. Not with high or medium or low effort.

 

[Koz]

You need to contact Toyota National Headquarters. Someone should loose their JOB!

Koz

 

[Ghostface80]

thanks for the help guys, back to Longo I go.

 

[Falls]

gonzo , any updates ? I agree with everyone here that would make me extremely nervous.......

 

[gonzo]

the dealer that i take my runner to is awful. i would love to take my truck to the dealer described in OUTRNNR's thread, at least they have service!

too make a long story short, it would simply be an excercise in frustration to pursue the brake fade at the current dealer. i cannot win against them because they don't care.

i have decided to wait until 35,XXX miles are on the odo and bring it to another toyota dealer. i can have them check it out and address any other potential warranty problems at that time. i already spoke to their service department and was told that i would have to wait for an opening with a master mechanic as only their masters work with master cylinders. i figure that is a good sign. i will keep you updated.

 

[TeCKis300]

the dealer that i take my runner to is awful. i would love to take my truck to the dealer described in OUTRNNR's thread, at least they have service!

too make a long story short, it would simply be an excercise in frustration to pursue the brake fade at the current dealer. i cannot win against them because they don't care.

i have decided to wait until 35,XXX miles are on the odo and bring it to another toyota dealer. i can have them check it out and address any other potential warranty problems at that time. i already spoke to their service department and was told that i would have to wait for an opening with a master mechanic as only their masters work with master cylinders. i figure that is a good sign. i will keep you updated.

Sorry to hear that Gonzo. Longo usually is a pretty good dealer. Why don't you try another service advisor? It's usually a hit or miss depending on the service advisor. Also, Koz is right...call Yota headquarters.

Also, do not present it as "brake fade" because that is not what it is and they will completely ignore it. Address it as a real problem and major safety issue that you can easily reproduce. Any mechanic should be able to recognize that the brake pedal should never touch the floor.

 

[Falls]

Gonzo I hate to see you put this off. Can you contact a different division of Toyota service reps or something ? Man this is not something you want to put off.

 

[gonzo]

i spoke with the service department manager at the dealer, he maintained that it was normal behaivoir. when i explained that no one else seems to experience this "normal" behaivoir he just blew it off. he said that they could replace the master cylinder if i wanted to pay for it myself but, other than that, there is nothing that they will do.

 

[Koz]

Why are you wasting you're time talking to idiots? Get names and let Toyota know how they are being represented.

Phone: 800-331-4331
Mon - Fri, 5:00 am - 6:00 pm PT
Sat, 7:00 am - 4:00 pm PT
Fax: 310-468-7814

Or send correspondence to:
Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
19001 South Western Ave.
Dept. WC11
Torrance, CA 90501

Koz

 

[jharris2]

You also should talk to the dealership general manager. He shouldn't be proud of having that level of incompetence representing them.

 

[gonzo]

You also should talk to the dealership general manager. He shouldn't be proud of having that level of incompetence representing them.

i did talk to the gm, and a fat lot of good it did me. the head of the service department is the general manager's brother! now the service manager scowls at me everytime i see him, which is why i think it is best if i look for another dealership.

 

[TeCKis300]

i did talk to the gm, and a fat lot of good it did me. the head of the service department is the general manager's brother! now the service manager scowls at me everytime i see him, which is why i think it is best if i look for another dealership.

Damn..this is BS!! Don't let this slide. Contact Toyota headquarters. They are always really nice people to talk to on the phone.