Scared to drive! brakes are sometimes spongy spongey - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

KingTodd · 11-21-2007, 02:39 PM

my brakes are sometimes spongy. Sometimes I'll approach a stoplight and come to a complete stop with normal brake pedal action, and then my brake pedal will start moving and my car will creep forward. Sometimes it stops normal and the brake pedal holds perfectly. Sometimes, it stops spongey, and requires almost pumping to stop my car.

I checked my fluid level and it is sufficient (up to the "tube" on the reservoir hole) With car off, The brakes feel hardish, but don't get harder or easier on sequential presses. In fact, if I press hard with my foot (I'm not a small guy) I can hear a noise in the engine compartment. It sounds faintly like someone flipping one of those cow cans two rooms away. You know, the lil' can that you turn upside down and it makes a mooo noise.

So any ideas?

Thanks for your time and help.

Parked at school.
Todd

MIC0417 · 11-21-2007, 02:41 PM

You probably have a leaking brake line. They are easy to replace just jack the car up and take the wheels off and look for a hole in the brake lines

Black95Cam · 11-21-2007, 02:56 PM

try bleeding your brakes to get the air out from the lines.

KingTodd · 11-21-2007, 02:58 PM

well im here in my campus parking lot (laptop FTW) and ive been pumping these brakes ALOT the last 20 minutes, and I dont see any sign of leaks when I got on the ground right now and inspected all the break lines around the wheels.

But with the engine on, usually my pedal goes to the floor if I keep applying brake pressure

KingTodd · 11-21-2007, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Black95Cam

try bleeding your brakes to get the air out from the lines.

yeah, I guess I'm hoping it's not a caliper.

Stillrunning · 11-21-2007, 03:06 PM

From your description there seems there are no leaks as you say the fluid level is up. I also don't think you have air in the lines as you say if you pump repeatedly you get no better pedal. It sounds like your master cylinder needs replacement. If you can stop normally then as you hold the pedal down the brakes loose holding (no fluid loss) until you pump again then that is a gone master cylinder. No harm to bleed brakes but I would not trust the brakes on the road until you verify that the bleeding cured the problem. Test it in an empty parking lot.

Hajoca · 11-21-2007, 03:09 PM

It is not a hydraulic leak out of the system. Firstly, the spongy pedal fell appears like you have a master cylinder seal leak. (the seals on the master cylinder piston). replace master cylinder. About 2 hrs labour to replace and bleed the brake system, and CDN$ 130 for a re manufactured part.

If there is a moaning noise, you may have a brake booster diaphragm leak, but that is not as likely.
Have the master cylinder tested first, then brake booster, Booster hose and check valve, if neccessary.

KingTodd · 11-21-2007, 03:11 PM

Master cylinder is at each tire, right?
Is there an easier way to tell if a master cylinder is bad than taking them all off?

Hajoca · 11-21-2007, 03:24 PM

No in the engine compartment, basically in front of the steering wheel where you checked brake fluid, it is the aluminum cast piece under the fluid reservoir. the black 'can' is the brake booster.

KingTodd · 11-21-2007, 05:02 PM

A brake master cylinder taken off a 93 Toyta Camry 2.2L, 4cyl Sedan w/ AT and w/o ABS.

anyone know, will that one fit as a replacement? I also have no ABS

hmm, sig not showing. I have a 96 cam. 2.2L AT no ABS

Stillrunning · 11-21-2007, 08:18 PM

I don't know whether it will work or not but I'm thinking that another used one off a car older than yours is something I would not trust. Either buy new or re-built and save yourself more work than you expected.

csaxon · 11-21-2007, 09:21 PM

When was the last time the actual brake pads were checked? Don't waste money buying parts until you get a good thorough brake inspection!

***Eye8Pussies*** · 11-21-2007, 11:31 PM

if there are no leaks anywhere, then it's probably not the lines- though, sometimes the hole is so small that you need to have somebody pumping the brake while you look to see it squirting out (personal experience)

but since you're not losing any fluid in any way, then I would go with master cylinder as well

as for getting a used one- not too bad of an idea if money is really tight and you;re doing the work yourself since they don't *usually* go. but if you're paying someone to do it anyway, then don't go cheap.

there is no need to go oem or rebuilt either. look for Aisin ones- either from ebay or from local automotive shops. They are Toyota's supplier for master cylinders- so exact same product, half the price.

Black95Cam · 11-22-2007, 12:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by csaxon

When was the last time the actual brake pads were checked? Don't waste money buying parts until you get a good thorough brake inspection!

thats why i suggested bleeding the brakes just to get that checked of the list. after that if its still spongy then go and change the master cyl.

KingTodd · 11-25-2007, 01:41 PM

thought I'd update:

My baby is parked safely at home. The brakes are now completely shot, go to the floor every time with minimal stopping power. I ordered a new part master cylinder off ebay for cheap and I'm goana install it myself. I figure its about time to replace the brake fluid too. Rotors are good 'nuff for now, and front pads have over 1/4 inch. I'll scope the drums when i get her up.

I just wanted to thank you all so much. It was a hectic day when my car's brakes malfunctioned, and I'm glad ya'll were available to point me in the right direction. I really appreciate your assistance.