Mushy brakes

[BoostTed]

i should have posted in the original thread but for all those that are interested this is what i used.

For the fronts i used these:

StopTech Stainless Steel Brake Lines TOYOTA 4RUNNER

And for the rears I used these:

https://toyteclifts.3dcartstores.com/Extended-Rear-Brake-Lines-07FJ-03-Runner_p_164.html

 

[BoostTed]

i find my 2015 limited to be very grabby as well. The brakes I find to have a big dead zone and very little modulation available.

Ofcourse this is coming from a Subaru STi which I sold and my garage queen Honda S2000.

my garage queen is also an S2000:driving:

 

[4rdan]

Glad to see I'm not the only one with mushy brakes.

As Ras_Thavas mentioned, if I pump them once the second time they feel normal.

 

[4RunnerStunner]

i should have posted in the original thread but for all those that are interested this is what i used.

For the fronts i used these:

StopTech Stainless Steel Brake Lines TOYOTA 4RUNNER

And for the rears I used these:

https://toyteclifts.3dcartstores.com/Extended-Rear-Brake-Lines-07FJ-03-Runner_p_164.html

I have the same issue with the brakes. Been a problem with my 4th Gen Runner as well. Will definitely do this when I get some free time and the lady is around! Thanks for posting this information!

 

[AirspeedX]

I'm glad I'm not losing my mind. I've been doing the pump once to brake dance since I bought my 2012 Trail.

It definitely needs improvement. Going down steep off-road trails with somewhat mushy brakes isn't the most fun - and that's in first or second gear.

They aren't horrible, but they have tons of room to improve. I'll look into upgrading the lines also. Great thread by the way.

 

[1engineer]

Did anyone that posted in this thread think to search?

 

[Maxotle]

Mine is a '14 with similar brake behaviour ... I am getting to the point that I move the transmission in "N" while I am fully stop at the lights. In this way, I do not need extra effort/attention to keep the car fully stopped. Not the best way to deal with it, but it works so far....

 

[jimmiem]

Coming from a 2010 I noticed an improvement in the brakes on my 2014. Not sure exactly how to describe it but I feel much more confident braking in the 2014. It just seems more responsive.

 

[thomas.barr4]

This topic might have been discussed numerous times but I didn't find anything thing in the search.

I think it's pretty known that the feel on the 4runner's brakes is a bit off. It stops just fine but when you depress the brake pedal it does not give you much confidence. Also at stop lights if you aren't stepping on the brake pedal with a decent amount of force it tends to creep forward.

I recently swapped out the brake lines for some stainless steel ones and what a difference, brake pedal feel is much improved, and it no longer has that hydraulic sound every time you step on the pedal. The rear lines are extended so when i decide to lift, it will be ready.

This is an old post now, but has anyone else tried swapping in steel brake lines and had the hydraulic or "hissy" brake sound go away?

 

[Toolman]

New To Toyota, Just Bought 2014 SR5 Model, Soft Brake Pedal

Aside from the soft, mushy brake pedal, really like the 2014 SR5 I just bought with 124k miles on it. Past weekend I had the shop bleed and flush the brake fluid, but alas it did nothing to change the very soft, spongy feel of the brake pedal. When the dealer was prepping it for me, emissions, etc, I borrowed a 2019 SR5 model and the brakes felt great on that one. From reading all of the responses, this soft, mushy pedal sounds very hard to diagnose, if you can EVER determine why this happens. Makes me very anxious in owning a new vehicle that is scary in applying the brakes to come to a stop. Additional thoughts from anyone?

 

[PrettyGoodSam]

i have a 2012 with 86k and i just got rear brakes for the 2nd time. i bought it at 55k. i dont slam on the brakes, dont have a ton of stop and go and i dont tow anything. the brakes are really soft and its annoying.

 

[Salemrunner]

Same issue

My brake pedal is super spongy. Once I tap it once it gets some pressure behind it. I bled, I flushed and took it to the dealer and they did the same. Still spongy. Replaced hoses, pads, calipers and rotors, no different. Any ideas??

 

[fkheath]

My brake pedal is super spongy. Once I tap it once it gets some pressure behind it. I bled, I flushed and took it to the dealer and they did the same. Still spongy. Replaced hoses, pads, calipers and rotors, no different. Any ideas??

Sounds like a master cylinder problem. If the system can hold the pressure after one pump, it is not a bleeding problem (i.e. air in the lines).

 

[Salemrunner]

Anyway to test the master cylinder before replacing it?

 

[mofokid69]

i should have posted in the original thread but for all those that are interested this is what i used.

For the fronts i used these:

StopTech Stainless Steel Brake Lines TOYOTA 4RUNNER

And for the rears I used these:

DNS points to prohibited IP | toyteclifts.3dcartstores.com | Cloudflare

Thanks for this link, best price I've seen so far even after converted to Cad..

 

[Somekindafuzz]

Which models are spongey vs grabby? I have a ‘22 ORP and was concerned about the mushy feeling. I experienced everything described here - creep at red lights etc. The mushy brakes and nose dive when they finally grab on make me go slower and leave more space behind anyone in front of me.

I did notice that the mushy feeling was great when off-road though. It felt easier to modulate braking amount when descending steep trails. With grabby breaks it’s harder to maintain constant brake pressure without locking things up, especially on a rutted trail where you’re getting tossed around a bit.

Maybe it’s more of a feature than a bug. Still not my favorite on road though.