I picked this 4runner up over the weekend and after putting a couple hundred miles on it, I think I need to replace the brake fluid. The pedal travel seems a bit long and soft. Will flushing the fluid help out, or is this the way the truck is? anything else I should be doing with the flush (aside from checking pad/rotor wear)?
Soft brake pedal- new fluid?
- Thread starter RoyBell
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JeepKiller
New member
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...ements-231mm-13wl-tundra-calipers-rotors.html That should fix all of your braking problems.
robb1887
New member
Not if he has a master cylinder/booster problem...
KidVermicious
New member
I'm with Robb1887, don't think about upgrades until you know what you've got is working correctly.
If you don't know when the fluid was changed last, a flush is probably a good idea. Generally speaking old brake fluid isn't as likely to cause a soft pedal as air in the lines, but a flush could solve both those problems at once. Give it a shot and see what happens.
If you don't know when the fluid was changed last, a flush is probably a good idea. Generally speaking old brake fluid isn't as likely to cause a soft pedal as air in the lines, but a flush could solve both those problems at once. Give it a shot and see what happens.
JeepKiller
New member
Well yea, but at least the brakes on mine felt really soft and long compared to every single other car/truck/suv I've ever driven and the tbu remedied that. Flush if you haven't already to see if there is any air in the lines.
I will flush this weekend. Just wanted to get some opinions on it. The owner didn't say when he did brakes last or fluid, but everything seems to be in working order. Some cars just have sucky brakes.
I also know I need to change the shocks because it's a little bouncy and dives a bit on braking which isn't helping matters.
I haven't checked parking brake, but I have heard of it's out of adjustment it can cause poor braking in the rear. Any truth to that?
I also know I need to change the shocks because it's a little bouncy and dives a bit on braking which isn't helping matters.
I haven't checked parking brake, but I have heard of it's out of adjustment it can cause poor braking in the rear. Any truth to that?
JayRolla
New member
TBU is really not upgrades. Its replacing old parts with bigger and better.
I had same issue. Did the TBU and all is good. Its something thats needed either way IMO. Most likely just needs a bleed with new fluid.
Dont use old brake fluid thats open, it will tend to have bubbles in it causing soft pedal.
I had same issue. Did the TBU and all is good. Its something thats needed either way IMO. Most likely just needs a bleed with new fluid.
Dont use old brake fluid thats open, it will tend to have bubbles in it causing soft pedal.
azcat90
New member
YEP - just fixed mine. Do your parking brakes work?
nevada
Senior Member
if the rear brakes are out of adjustment, then the park brake is also. and both will have poor performance. with drum brakes, its important to always verify the adjustment and thickness of the shoes prior to messing with the park brake. as one affects the other.
that's not quite right.
it is a good idea to only use fresh/new brake fluid. but not because of air. brake fluid is hygroscopic, it absorbs moisture out of the air. so an open/used container will have a higher moisture content than a new bottle. this will lead to poor brake performance, due to the lowered boiling point. the decreased performance will be amplified in extreme use, where there is excessive heat build up. the heat will boil the fluid, thus turning the water into vapor. liquid does not compress, gas/vapor however does.
also, additional water in the system promotes rust in the system. not a good thing.
JayRolla
New member
OMG, I knew this!!!! I dont know why I said that. I meant to say that. LOL. I was thinking dont reuse old brake fluid because air could have been introduced!! My bad, good catch!
Thanks guys. I will check it all out this weekend. Been too busy with work and other stuff. I haven't even tried the parking brake yet. I did just run through my first tank of gas since buying the truck this weekend and calculated 19.8 mpg :banana:
Second tank looks to be on it's way to being very similar. 80 miles at the 3/4 mark.
I know about the open brake fluid and the hygroscopic nature of the fluid. I always use fresh, unopened containers.
Second tank looks to be on it's way to being very similar. 80 miles at the 3/4 mark.
I know about the open brake fluid and the hygroscopic nature of the fluid. I always use fresh, unopened containers.
Fluid helped a TON.
Lot of air and the fluid was black. I am guessing original (160K miles).
Pedal is much more firm now, but still pulls left a little when braking. The passenger caliper is the one that had all the air bubbles come out. Makes me wonder if it's about shot. Much better than it was though. Comparing to a sporty car and my '10 Tundra which both have exceptional brakes though.
Next up is to change out the worn shocks. It dives pretty good when braking which isn't helping anything.
2015-09-22_08-05-45 by RoyBelluomini, on Flickr
Lot of air and the fluid was black. I am guessing original (160K miles).
Pedal is much more firm now, but still pulls left a little when braking. The passenger caliper is the one that had all the air bubbles come out. Makes me wonder if it's about shot. Much better than it was though. Comparing to a sporty car and my '10 Tundra which both have exceptional brakes though.
Next up is to change out the worn shocks. It dives pretty good when braking which isn't helping anything.
2015-09-22_08-05-45 by RoyBelluomini, on Flickr
