Dumped Brake Fluid

[Maritimer]

Went to go to the gym, and the brake light stayed on. Thought the parking brake was stuck. Nope, get out, and fluid is leaking all out the rear, stinks like brake fluid, and yup, the reservoir is empty.

Had brake power. Got half way to the garage, and the ABS light came on, with the VSC OFF, etc. and the beeping started. Only 20% brakes. Made it the rest of the way with down shifting and the parking brake.

At least I'll have new brake lines.

 

[Maritimer]

Oh yeah, and I have an Explorer as a rental--IT SUCKS.

 

[Dous]

So the leak was from a line? Kind of surprising as the majority of the line in the rear is hard line

 

[Maritimer]

Not sure. Had to think quick as it was 4:30, I had nice clothes on (no grease and ****), and I then had to get it to the garage and be picked up so I could get a rental before 5:00 for the weekend. All I knew was that it wasn't a Maritimer job. I know, I know.

It was coming out from behind the gas tank.

 

[Dous]

Could be something as simple as a wheel cylinder, although I have never seen one have a loss of fluid that quickly

Just don't let them sell you something you dont need

 

[fourwd1]

The hard line runs along the frame and where the fuel tank sits against the frame rust is common, both the braking and the frame. Where the lines fasten to the frame is most common rupture point.

 

[Maritimer]

I hope it's just a ruptured line. Still sucks, but oh well. At least I won't have the same problem for a while.

Hope the brakes didn't get damaged on the drive to the garage. The ride was very nerve-wracking the last little bit.

I'm still in love with the Runner, especially after spending more time in the Ford Crap-mobile I rented (even though it's 11 years newer). Getting a little weary in the pocket book with "surprises" like this. I even keep an eye out for things, but I only know so much.

 

[Maritimer]

It was the driver's side rear line, just behind the gas tank. Not surprising given that it's the corner of the truck famous for rust. The bumper and the filler pipe were weak in that area. Everything else in that area seems OK for the time being--some major "surface rust" on the upper control arm and the rear shock mount, but nothing structurally compromising, and if I keep oiling it in the fall, should last years and years.

 

[Bossman]

I'll add in my recent experience with a complete brake failure - 2003 Limited V8 with 150,000 km.

Was driving in city traffic when the brake warning (red) indicator lit up on the dash. I did not notice any major difference in braking power the first few stops after this indicator came on.

Then as I continued additional warning (orange) indicators lit up - I believe they were the ABS, TRAC and VSC - accompanied by a high pitched audible warning.

When I went to depress the brake pedal, it went to the floor with little resistance. As I was approaching stopped traffic, I had to quickly take evasive action by changing lanes and then bailing into a nearby parking lot - all the while applying the parking brake during this emergency.

Fortunately, the parking brake did eventually bring me to a complete stop. I was able to avoid contact with any other vehicles or pedestrians, and no body damage was done to my T4R.

Shaken by this experience, I immediately called my local Toyota dealership. A towing company came to the parking lot and using a flatbed my T4R was brought to the dealership. While waiting for the tow, I looked under the hood and observed the brake fluid reservoir to be completely empty - had been fine the last time I checked it.

Once up on the hoist at the dealership, the cause was found to be a failed brake line just above the rear axle on the driver's side. Cause of the failure was attributed to corrosion (we use a lot of road salt up here during the winter).

My T4R is still at the dealership awaiting the arrival of new brake lines.

Returning home, there was no evidence of any leak in the driveway from the area that the brake line failed. Thus, a catastrophic failure!