Question about brakes on this vehicle.

[Mudeprived]

I'm coming from the jeep world and my jeeps have a firm brake feel and stop within the first inch or two of pressure on the brake pedal. My 4runner seems to take about 3-4 inches of pressure to get it to stop like the jeeps do. I checked the front pads and they are still thick (almost new) but I haven't checked the rear drums yet. I wanted to see if this kind of brake pressure is normal for this vehicle because I've never driven anything except my jeeps so I'm used to their braking habits. If it's not normal then I'll start digging for a soluation.

I had the brakes bled and filled with fresh fluid today but that only improved it a little bit.

 

[jgue467]

Pretty much normal to feel like the pedal has to move close to 'bottom' to really grab. Lots of lighter grabbing in between but they will grab. Luck and enjoy. :cowboy:

 

[fblainen11]

You may try bleeding them and putting new fluid in.

Also, the Tundra Brake Upgrade (there's plenty of info here on it) is a great way to step up the stopping power. I highly recommend it if you ever haul anything.

Also, welcome to the 4Runner club! I think you'll find it very helpful and friendly, especially here in the 3rd gen section.

 

[nissanh]

Also make sure you got FACTORY brake pads and shoes. Aftermarket is garbage and takes longer to stop. All my toyota's got OEM brake pads/shoes and stops within first 2-3 inches.

Get the rear wheel brakes adjusted: This makes the pedal to move less to stop the truck.

 

[T4R2014]

Rear brake adjustment. OEM brake parts needed? No way. I'm happy with my ceramics and minimal dust. I do prefer OEM rear shoes, though.

 

[DJF1953]

My brakes were having the same issue as yours (soft braking needing extra pedal effort) until I specifically complained to my mechanic about my brakes. He adjusted the rear brakes and now my '98 stops much much better and my hand brake engages when I pull the lever up 1/4 way instead of 3/4 up. Much happier.

 

[JayRolla]

Bleed. Adjust rears. Test brake booster.

 

[3bears]

aren't the rear brakes supposed to self adjust when you use the parking break ?

a year ago I put on ebc front pads, pedal felt better, however, now about a year and a half later ( less than 25k) they are near gone.
no place to do the work, so will put the old pads back in soon, then this spring ( no snow) I really hope to do the TBU

 

[zoombyu86]

OP, are you sure you have factory 4runner brakes? When i installed my Tundra upgraded brakes, they now have more travel, but they grab HARD when they do. if i give a quick blip of the brakes and then push them, there is almost no travel and I feel like my truck is going to do a stoppie.

 

[cahaight]

I did the Tundra front brake mod @ 6months ago and was never happy with the results(mushy brake)The other day my brake warning light pops on because my brake fluid was low.I had never messed with my rear brakes because the previous owner had them done just before I bought my truck.Any way after pulling the drums I find almost new shoes soaked in brake fluid because of small wheel cylinder leaks.I have replaced with all new parts and waiting for new shocks,the rig was already up with the tires off.Just throwing out another possible problem...