Soft brakes on my 95 Camry

[letseatpaste]

I have a 95 4-cylinder Camry sedan. A couple weeks ago I noticed when I was sitting at a red light the brakes were starting to lose pressure, I'd be stopped and then the car would want to inch forward a little bit unless I pushed the pedal down more. Then a few days ago I hit the pedal and it went almost to the floor, not much pressure. If I let up and hit the brake again sometimes it'll feel firm like it's supposed to, sometimes it takes a few tries.

Fluid is right where it needs to be, so apparently it's not leaking.

What's the best guess for what I need to look at to fix this? New master cylinder?

Thanks for any help. I searched the forum but couldn't seem to find any threads with a problem description similar to this.

[J708]

Check the break pump.

[Stillrunning]

Originally Posted by letseatpaste

What's the best guess for what I need to look at to fix this? New master cylinder?

Sounds like it.

[360glitch]

I'd also check and make sure you don't have any leaking lines. I had both of mine burst on my '92 LE. But most likely, it's the master cylinder...

[Black95Cam]

try bleeding the brakes.

[Unco]

Originally Posted by J708

Check the break pump.

you mean, the brake master cylinder, right?

OP. start by bleeding your brakes and check for leaks around the master cylinder and calipers.

[Kep]

It sounds like your master cylinder is allowing fluid to bypass the piston. You may be able to rebuild it but it would be easier to just buy a new assembly. Since the fluid level remains the same you shouldn't have a leak anywhere. Check out page BR-13 of the online manual.

Kep

[letseatpaste]

Thanks guys, I appreciate the advice, wanted to check before I spent the cash on a part I might not need. Has anyone had experience with the ebay seller "autopartpro", or would I be better off picking up one from Autozone or Napa? The ebay guy has it for $19 + $31 shipping.

[Stillrunning]

I prefer a parts store where you can touchy-feely. Warranty is easier as well.

[letseatpaste]

Yeah, but I could buy three or four of them at the ebay price for the price of the one at the auto parts store. I think I'll go ahead and try the ebay one unless someone else pipes up with a reason not to.

[marc780]

i'd feel wary of buying brake parts online. You dont know the manufacturer, their reputation, or the quality.
Its a crapshoot buying parts at a brick and mortar auto parts store let alone from some unknown guy in cyberspace, selling a God- knows- what brand part! At least at a chain they are not going to sell a crappy part part for long because they dont want the comebacks and potential lawsuits.
I'd buy the master from an auto parts chain, if only for the fact that these parts are for your brakes.

[letseatpaste]

I think I might try to find a rebuild kit, the online manual gives a pretty good synopsis of that.

[shepzwingz]

If You Are Worried About The Money,you Have To Decide If You Are Keeping The Car For Awile Or Selling It Soon.
If You Are Keeping The Car,buy A New One.if You Are Getting Rid Of The Car Soon (6months To A Year)i Would Put A Wreckers Unit In.very Cheap And Some Places Offer 1 Year Warranty

[93XLEcamry]

this is a curse thread, :P......the same thing is happening to meeee......,

[Stillrunning]

Originally Posted by letseatpaste

Yeah, but I could buy three or four of them at the ebay price for the price of the one at the auto parts store.

On Ebay it's buyer beware.