Squishy Brake Pedal

[syndicate1]

Hi guys,

New to the forum, just got the 4runner trail and it's absolutely stupendous, I love the old school high low shifter. However, I noticed that after 400 miles of driving the brake pedal makes a squishy sound when depressed. I sprayed a little white lithium grease on what i think was the rod (its hard to get to) but it didn't help. Has anyone experienced anything like this? I know some people think it isn't a big deal but it drives me crazy. :uzi: Thanks in advance y'all

-Carlos "El Bandito"

My '11 LE makes the same wet diaper sound when pressing the brake pedal.

I read somewhere on this forum the OEM brake lines are cheap that expand under pressure that causes the squishy braking. This can be cured with a simple fix (about $50 in parts) by changing the brake lines to aftermarket, SS braided lines.

 

[Jeff614]

I've noticed this as well on my '14 as well as our old 07 GX. Both seemed to do it and the brakes in both seemed more "squishy" than other vehicles and made the accompanied sound.

Seems like every vehicle and/or manufacturer have different brake pedal feels. My last vehicle, a F250 has a very touchy hard brake pedal feel and using the same pressure in it as the 4Runner would've been akin to slamming on the brakes. Recently sold my mother's Odyssey. Buyer felt the brake feel indicated worn brakes, showed him the service records and even let him drive my 4Runner around the lot to show how different the brakes can feel between vehicles (turned out to help him a lot and sale went great).

On the other hand, do those of you who notice it more than others also hear the "clicking" sound that's been discussed in other threads? Described usually as a "click" as the brake is depressed?

Mine comes and goes. Even narrowed it down to pumping the brakes fully a few times and it goes away. At one point when doing so I did get the E-Brake light and ABS lights to flash and a beeping sound occurred. Just wondering if anyone has had a similar experience.

Just had mine in for 30K service. Brakes were checked and all deemed OK and performs just fine.

Just wondering as we're on the topic of brakes. Only issue Ive had with mine in almost 31K miles in less than a year. Say "issue" because I don't really consider a problem. The pedal feel and "squishy" sound I feel are normal, the clicking does get on the nerves at times though.


- Jeff

 

[MATTYDIRT]

The pedal feel and "squishy" sound I feel are normal, the clicking does get on the nerves at times though.


- Jeff

After doing a couple electrical mods (installed HID lights), I started to listen closely to all the noises the car makes. I noticed the squishy sound of the brakes (which happened on my Tacoma as well, so no surprise there), but I did start to notice the clicking noise (kind of like an electronic click) about half way through my braking depression. Quick question - is this clicking noise the brake assist feature that measures how fast you depress the brakes in order to detect a panic stop?

I will ignore the noise if I know it's "normal", but if I'm un-sure of suspect it could be something wrong - it will drive me CRAZY!

Thanks for clarifying.

 

[Jeff614]

No, I don't believe that the "clicking" is normal or related to the brake assist feature. I certainly could be wrong but as it seems to be an intermittent noise that isn't experienced by everyone and develops over time it seems to be something else.

Awhile back there was a thread, I'm sure there's been others that have discussed the same noise. Don't think a cause or solution was ever established though.

FWIW, what your hearing is exactly what I, and others, hear as well. What sounds like an electronic click around halfway through the depression of the pedal. Mine comes and goes. Strangely enough it seems to disappear after fully depressing the pedal a few times. No idea why.

Here's the latest thread, although I'm sure there's more;
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/179605-clicking-brake-pedal.html

- Jeff

 

[MikeinCincy]

A completely normal function for 4Runners. I had my 2006 SR5 for nearly 8 years and it made that sound each and every time I stopped on the brake pedal for those 8 years. Traded in the 06 for a 2015 Trail Premium and it makes the same exact noise. You will get used to it, I'm sure. :hatsoff:

 

[darrylj]

To disable this feature would be idiotic. Just my opinion of course.

If someone hit my vehicle and harmed my family and I found out they had disabled the "nanny" panic braking assist...

I would be litigiously inconsolable. And that's the best case scenario.

 

[1engineer]

If someone hit my vehicle and harmed my family and I found out they had disabled the "nanny" panic braking assist...

I would be litigiously inconsolable. And that's the best case scenario.

Of course you would.... I read your other posts.

 

[raneman]

The brake assist is activated by the speed of actuation, not the force of actuation. The sound is fluid flowing across a tuned orifice with sensors that will sense pressure drop depending on the acceleration of the depression of the pedal. What this means is you can press it at normal speed and pressit to the floor without activating brake assist. Or you can barely touch the brake in a panic situation (really quick actuation) and you will stop. Right. Now. Again, go out and test it but be prepared to be taken aback by the, suddeness I guess, of the stopping ability. Its actually pretty scary if you are not expecting it. Its your truck though so feel free to "improve" on the operation lol.

Ohhhh. It all makes a little more sense to me now. I've been inadvertently trying to throw passengers through my windshield randomly since I bought it. Makes for interesting conversation. I'm going to have to alter my braking style or something...I make very quick transitions between my pedals, but I'm not ham-footed when I get there or anything. Think jazz drummer foot. Fast but light can really confuse the brake assist system. I'll get to the brake and expect to hold or slow my foot just when I feel the brakes start to do their job, instead the brake assist interprets that first 20th of pedal travel as justification for defcon 1.

 

[Boyds4Runner]

I've embarrassed myself a few times, mostly when going slowly through parking lots where someone has stepped out from the parked cars rather quickly without making eye-contact with me.

A quick step of the breaks makes the Nitto Terra Grappler howl to a stop from 15 mph...and the person is still about 30 feet away when this happens
So I quickly release the brakes so as not to draw attention to my inadvertent over-reaction.

Needless to say it's good to know I have that kind of stopping power in a real situation:wow:.

 

[4Funnr]

I've had my 5th gen since the first day they went on sale in December 2009. It's always made the weird squish sound.

Also used the panic/emergency brakes a few times. Sometimes to save my skin, other times unnecessary and silly but I'm not complaining.

Last weekend was making brisk turns in the mountains on pavement at about 45 mph and the traction control did NOT like that. Triggered the brake actuation and beeping alarms. The intervention was a bit heavy-handed and caused me to go into oncoming lane. Not too happy with that.

Then there's the rolling backward on a slope interventions, which is always a bit unnerving too.

 

[Jeremy556]

I've had my 5th gen since the first day they went on sale in December 2009. It's always made the weird squish sound.

Also used the panic/emergency brakes a few times. Sometimes to save my skin, other times unnecessary and silly but I'm not complaining.

Last weekend was making brisk turns in the mountains on pavement at about 45 mph and the traction control did NOT like that. Triggered the brake actuation and beeping alarms. The intervention was a bit heavy-handed and caused me to go into oncoming lane. Not too happy with that.

Then there's the rolling backward on a slope interventions, which is always a bit unnerving too.

Probably just need a zero point calibration for the stability control.

 

[arelendsee]

Maybe I missed it in all these posts, but I didn't find any mention of the possible correlation of the brake noise and brake pedal freeplay. The owner's manual scheduled services clearly states the following:
Pedal free play - Less than 0.04- 0.24 in.

I mention this because it was at 2k miles, when my 2015 began to make the squishing noise and an increase in pedal free play. I haven't taken it in for this just yet, because it's just a little free play, maybe 0.5 in. But when I do get this free play adjusted within tolerance, it will be interesting to see if the squishy sound goes away.

if anyone else doesn't feel like waiting, check your free play and take it in for service. I wouldn't even mention the sound when talking to the service deptartment, because they will only say "all the 4R's make this sound, it's normal".

 

[Huskers79]

Just picked up my 2016 Limited, and I experience a pretty audible "wet shoe" sound when depressing the brake. Guess it's normal so I won't sweat it.

Is it also normal to hear a single louder click/whoosh/something when shifting into gear the first time after starting the vehicle? It happens once and then not again until the vehicle shutoff and restarted.

Thank you.

 

[Huskers79]

Just picked up my 2016 Limited, and I experience a pretty audible "wet shoe" sound when depressing the brake. Guess it's normal so I won't sweat it.

Is it also normal to hear a single louder click/whoosh/something when shifting into gear the first time after starting the vehicle? It happens once and then not again until the vehicle shutoff and restarted.

Thank you.

Can anyone enlighten me?

Thank you.

 

[Canadian Runner]

Strange I had forgotten about the strange brake pedal sounds that come from a brand new Runner. I don't know why but my 2011 made that damn sound, but my 2015 doesn't.

Full disclosure I have no idea why the 11 made the noise and the 15 doesn't. I had totally forgotten about this until I read this.

 

[nb rob]

Can anyone enlighten me?

Thank you.

normal and normal.

 

[lakerman]

Normally

And the little Tacoma brother has picked up on the 4 runners squishy habits too!

 

[Mowgli]

Do any of you all have this issue after braking.
Once at a full stop with the pedal down if you release any pressure at all you start moving forward. And I don't mean letting off the brake I mean very slight pressure. I've almost rear ended someone multiple times at red lights

 

[ellis36]

Do any of you all have this issue after braking.
Once at a full stop with the pedal down if you release any pressure at all you start moving forward. And I don't mean letting off the brake I mean very slight pressure. I've almost rear ended someone multiple times at red lights

My 2015 does this. I figure it’s normal.

ellis

 

[catrains]

Do any of you all have this issue after braking.
Once at a full stop with the pedal down if you release any pressure at all you start moving forward. And I don't mean letting off the brake I mean very slight pressure. I've almost rear ended someone multiple times at red lights

I have experienced this also. the T4R 2016 new to me is quite different on the braking than my GM vehicles. pedal requires more travel and the vehicle will roll easy on level ground with the brake pedal depressed slightly.

on my GM vehicles they most times will not move. idle speed is 500 RPM. idle control appears better on the GM engines.

the T4R idle is higher 650 RPM .. I have not used the scan tool to check out the idle speed exactly and see how it may vary.

pedal travel is more so it makes a noise when depressing . GM pedal less travel to engage brake effort so I have to adjust to this toyota brake effect when I use it.

after I bled the rear brakes 400 mi odo the brakes are now evenly braking and less pedal travel . lots of air came out when I bled it !