Soft brake

[pwu]

I have a 1996 Toyota 4runner Limited. I always have soft brake but driveable. Finally after all the bleeding brakes and check under the car, I decided could be the Master Cylinder. So I replaced.

Well, that didn't fix the problem. When I step on the brake pedal, it travel almost to the floor then the car stops. I do follow all the correct insturctions when I bleed the brakes.

Is there anything else I should look at besides check for leaks and keep bleeding the brakes.

THANKS!!!

 

[dancojgl]

Perhaps it's time to take it to a professional...

I don't know about you, but not being able to stop scares the hell out of me!

—Dan

 

[khaug]

It's likely that you simply need to adjust your rear drum brakes.

This can be done by repeatedly pulling and releasing the parking brake lever, if the "automatic" adjustment feature still works on your vehicle. If this doesn't work, adjustment can be made using the star wheel located inside the brake drum, accessed through a slot in the brake backing plate which is covered by a rubber plug.

 

[pwu]

Thank you.

I will try adjusting the rear brake. Thank you for your suggestion.

 

[jharris2]

It's likely that you simply need to adjust your rear drum brakes.

This can be done by repeatedly pulling and releasing the parking brake lever, if the "automatic" adjustment feature still works on your vehicle. If this doesn't work, adjustment can be made using the star wheel located inside the brake drum, accessed through a slot in the brake backing plate which is covered by a rubber plug.

Interesting. On every vehicle I have had, you had to drive the vehicle in reverse and "slam" the brakes to adjust the rear brakes. I would go up and down the driveway until I was happy with the performance.

Be careful if you use the star wheel, though -- you can overcorrect and cause problems, too.

 

[Armandi]

which way are you supposed to turn the star wheel?

 

[bulldog-yota]

The easiest way to adjust rear drum brakes on pre 4th Gens, is to drive in reverse slowly and use the e-brake to stop. DO it a few times and you should fell your e-brake get tighter and your brake as well. This way you dont overtighten and drag the drums.

 

[Armandi]

yeah i just did that but i plan on jacking it up anyway to check the adjustment and wanted to know which way to turn the wheel.

 

[Gryphon]

I am not sure which way to turn the adjuster right off, I want to say you turn it up to tighten...BUT since you are going to jack it up anyway, just pull the rear wheels and check out your pads and wheel cylinders while you are there? Look for signs of leakage or wetness aroung the canisters that push out your drums.

If you need more info, I can dig out my manual for you.

 

[pbm317]

Can I do this backup/slam brakes thing on a 2003 4Runner V8?? I always feel like my brakes are really mushy. Dealer insists there is no air in the lines.

 

[TechWrench]

Can I do this backup/slam brakes thing on a 2003 4Runner V8?? I always feel like my brakes are really mushy. Dealer insists there is no air in the lines.

This procedure won't help at all on the '03s and up. They have 4 wheel disk brakes, so the rear inner disk drum parking brake adjustment has no affect on normal braking. And, disk brakes are 'self' adjusting by their very nature.