Just bought a 2005 4runner…brake issue?

[mikeleup]

Hello All,

This is my first post as I am new to this forum. However, I am a long time 4runner owner. I recently replaced my 1992 with a 2005 4runner that had 85k miles on it. I have put about 4k miles on it since owning it over that last few months. Recently when I have been coming to a stop, the vehicle will sit still for a minute and then slowly begin to creep forward at which point I will apply more pressure to the brakes to stop it from advancing forward. The vehicle will remain still for a few seconds before I need to depress the brake pedal further to keep the vehicle from creeping forward. This goes on until I eventually have the brake pedal pressed to the floor. Has anyone else experienced this problem and know what the cause is? Also, if you do know what the cause is, what are the odds its covered under my warranty if I bought it from a Toyota dealership as a certified pre-owned?

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.

-Mike

 

[V8Limited4wd]

do you know the last time the brakes were replaced?

 

[Absolute]

so are you able to hold the 4runner at a stop while in drive or when you get the peddel to the floor does it start to roll. Such as if you put it in drive can you keep the vehicle from moving for a decent amount of time. The first things I would check would be:
1. Check all 4 sets of pads
2. Check your brake fluid level.

Let me know what you can report back based on those few checks. It seems as if you might have a leak in one of your lines since you are able to stop then lose pressure...

I would say that this would be covered under warranty if it is a leak in one of your lines.

 

[MikesToy]

Most dealers would give you a 30-day or 3K miles warranty on used vehicles unless you bought it "As-Is".

 

[dennisy]

1. Check your brake fluid, if low top it off.
2. look at the back of each wheel for signs of leaking.
- if there are signs of leakage, looks like oil drip/stain at the back of your rims, then most probably it would be the cylinder seal that needs replacement.
3. If there is no sign of leakage, bleed your brakes as there may be air in the system.
4. check your brake lines for any sign of leakage.

 

[mikeleup]

First off, thank you for your responses. I took the front tires off and the pads are in fine shape…easily over 50% left. The brake fluid level is where it needs to be and and I cant find any signs of leakage. It has been doing this for the last few weeks and has consistently gotten worse. I don't believe there to be a leak anywhere because the fluid was not low.

so are you able to hold the 4runner at a stop while in drive or when you get the peddel to the floor does it start to roll. Such as if you put it in drive can you keep the vehicle from moving for a decent amount of time.

In response to this, I am able to hold the 4runner at a stop while in drive for approx. 2-3 seconds before I need to depress the pedal further. When the pedal gets close to the floor I let it completely out, idle forward for a few seconds,(foot completely off the brake) and then re-apply the brake and it feels as if regular back pressure has been restored to the pedal until 2 seconds later when the car begins to move forward again and I need to push the pedal harder.

The best thing I can compare it to is that in the past the weight of my foot on the pedal alone has been able to keep the car at a stop on level surface. Now if I want to keep the car still for the entire stop at a traffic light, I have to apply serious pressure and every few seconds it feels as if more pressure was lost from the lines. Its driving me crazy! I consider myself pretty handy with cars but don't have much brake work experience other then changing pads and rotors and since I can't find any obvious signs of something wrong I really don't know where to look..

 

[Chef-j]

If it is certified pre-owned vehicle, dealer should cover you under warranty (Any dealer). Certified Program

If i were you, i will try flush brake fluid and see if that helps. Make sure no air in it.

 

[CXS]

It sounds like you have a vacuum leak/ failing brake booster. I'm new to the 4Runner but not brake issues. Maybe someone can verify/disprove my theory. I have an '05 as well and would be very careful until finding the source of the problem and anticipate it getting worse, maybe much worse very suddenly.

 

[gm350reratliff]

First off, thank you for your responses. I took the front tires off and the pads are in fine shape…easily over 50% left. The brake fluid level is where it needs to be and and I cant find any signs of leakage. It has been doing this for the last few weeks and has consistently gotten worse. I don't believe there to be a leak anywhere because the fluid was not low.



In response to this, I am able to hold the 4runner at a stop while in drive for approx. 2-3 seconds before I need to depress the pedal further. When the pedal gets close to the floor I let it completely out, idle forward for a few seconds,(foot completely off the brake) and then re-apply the brake and it feels as if regular back pressure has been restored to the pedal until 2 seconds later when the car begins to move forward again and I need to push the pedal harder.

The best thing I can compare it to is that in the past the weight of my foot on the pedal alone has been able to keep the car at a stop on level surface. Now if I want to keep the car still for the entire stop at a traffic light, I have to apply serious pressure and every few seconds it feels as if more pressure was lost from the lines. Its driving me crazy! I consider myself pretty handy with cars but don't have much brake work experience other then changing pads and rotors and since I can't find any obvious signs of something wrong I really don't know where to look..

Sounds to me like a failing master cylinder bypassing the pressure inside of itself. It could also be a bad ABS module bypassing pressure. If it were the brake booster I would think you would have a real hard pedal but consistant pressure. I would look everything over to make sure you don't have a leak somewhere. Start with a complete brake bleed just to rule out air in the system. Also, has the vehicle ever been in an accident?

 

[dennisy]

well, looks like it is the brake master. most probably the gaskets, cylinder o rings in there are leaking already.

If you are under warranty have them check that one out.. hopefully that will be it.

 

[brenttuffs]

poor diesel mileage- 95 -3 litre KZN130

Hi- this is my first post - can anyone help - i have a 1995 surf inport 3.0 diesel manual - with light use and only 140,000km and seem to be getting poor mpg and a kind of fluffing noise on decelleration. I have changed all the filters and oil, and put on a new exhaust,-after reading some forums (and despite the purchase of buying an engine manual) cannot find the PCV valve and EGR valve which they reccomend be cleaned or replaced- please can anyone help? thanks

 

[peteyjoek]

I have a 2005 too and sometimes have that problem but i think its because our transmissions are electronically controlled. When your in 5th gear and come to a complete stop your still in 3rd or 2nd gear. So I think since the transmission is electronically controlled the computer puts it in first gear while you have your foot on the brake causing the vehicle to slip a little. This is kind of a guess so let me know if I'm wrong.

 

[asm]

If you are not losing brake fluid, you can rule out the possibility of external leak in your brake system. However that still does not rule out the possibility of contaminated fluid or vacuum line leak. In general I would out with cheaper repair option and work my way up. So here's the order of things to try.

First I would replace all the brake fluid to eliminate the possibility of contaminated fluid and also to insure that there is no trapped air in your brake line. Second I would move on to check to make sure there is no vacuum leak in the master brake cylinder or any lines that feed vacuum from the engine to the master brake cylinder. If all else fails I would move on to check to ABS modul make sure there is no unintentional fluid bypass there.

Good luck

 

[00328]

Wondering if the A/C happens to be on while this is happening. It's very common for the vehicle to surge forward slightly as the A/C cycles on.

 

[Barefoot]

Another vote for Master Cylinder

 

[mikeleup]

From all I have read, all I am experiencing while driving, and all of your responses, I believe it to be the brake master cylinder. I don't believe it to be air in the brake lines because the pedal does not behave the way I have read it would if there was air in the lines.

It goes into the shop tomorrow so I will let you all know what is wrong.

If it is the brake master cylinder does anyone know if this is covered under the certified pre-owned warranty? And if not, how much will this cost me?

 

[Absolute]

keep us posted.
If it is not covered, which it should be, my best guess for cost would be a ~3-400 parts and labor. I know our breaking system is quite complex so its a shot in the dark.

Good luck man!

 

[mikeleup]

Update…need help

Suspicion was confirmed. It is the brake master cylinder. However they are telling me that it is 2500$ to replace. Another dealership told me 1900$. How can this be? Also, not covered under certified pre owned warranty. I need your help…any suggestions are appreciated.

 

[eskimochaos]

Suspicion was confirmed. It is the brake master cylinder. However they are telling me that it is 2500$ to replace. Another dealership told me 1900$. How can this be? Also, not covered under certified pre owned warranty. I need your help…any suggestions are appreciated.

Master cylinders are expensive - thats how it can be.

I recommend having it done at a dealer - last thing you want is issues with your brakes.

 

[Kurt V]

Suspicion was confirmed. It is the brake master cylinder. However they are telling me that it is 2500$ to replace. Another dealership told me 1900$. How can this be? Also, not covered under certified pre owned warranty. I need your help…any suggestions are appreciated.

As they rarely go bad, I would look for a good one at a junk yard and install it yourself or have an independent garage install it. Save your $$$!