Help with brakes please

[Castaway]

I'm new to this forum, though I have been lurking since I bought my 1996 Limited T4R about a year ago.

I have been having an interment problem with the brakes, that has gotten much more frequent in recent months.
When I apply my brakes, then go over a bump the brake pedal goes to the floor but the brakes feel like they've lost pressure, except that I can distinctly feel the grinding of the pads and rotors through the brake pedal. I pump the brakes in hope of getting my brakes back to "normal". Sometimes this fixes the problem, sometimes there is no affect.

NOTE: I am not sure how the brakes are supposed to feel in T4Rs, but mine act like air-brakes. It takes two pumps on the pedal before the brakes slow the car properly, though the hydraulics still work without power (it's stalled on me a couple of times).

Now, part of my purchase agreement with the dealership was that the dealership would rebuild the brakes, on their dime, before I took delivery. This was stipulated because the brakes barely worked and felt like they were about to go. It took three weeks but the dealership's service department finally got the brakes into a condition that I felt safe driving the truck in. I have since come to doubt the service department's claim that they rebuilt the system after having several independent shops that I trust comment on portions of the brake system.

Please help, I know very little about cars (but my T4R has been teaching me almost monthly) and I am getting concerned that one of my fellow college students is going to decide to use me to get a new car and I won't be able to stop.

 

[bandman659]

Sounds to me like the master cylinder is on it's very last leg. Try changing the fluid yourself (just need a hand vacuum pump with fluid reservoir, plenty of tutorials here and elsewhere) or just have a shop do it.

Edit: Meant to add that if a fluid swap doesn't fix the issue (it probably won't), then my money would be on the MC being toast.

 

[Nelsonmd]

It sounds like it may be your ABS kicking in.

After a year, I am guessing the dealership won't help you anymore, but it sure doesn't sound like they rebuilt your brakes. They should have felt good after they worked on them.

I agree that you try a fluid flush first, and you don't need a vacuum pump, you just need a fluid reservoir. I highly recommend you get speed bleeders, as they make it super easy to push alot of fluid through your brakes quickly and get all the air out.

If the fluid flush doesn't fix it, and it isn't the pads or rotors, then it's either the MC or the ABS, either way the dealer should have fixed it. If they won't fix it, then you might threaten small claims court (and actually sue them if they still don't fix it).

 

[bandman659]

Well yeah, you don't *need* a hand vacuum pump, but it sure makes one-man fluid changes easier. Speed bleeders are nice too.

 

[Castaway]

Thanks everyone. I will try flushing the brakes the first chance I get.

I think that I will probably not even bother with the dealership as I'm at college over 4 hours away from home where I bought the Runner.