2000 Toyota Camry XLE V6 Brake Issue - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

euroimport · 09-08-2011, 10:53 AM

Recently my brakes became spongey to the point that the brake pedal went very close to the floor when stepped on.

Had my mechanic bleed the lines, replaced the brake master cylinder, replaced all four rotors (others were in bad shape), replaced brake pads in the front and drums in the back.

After all replacements, still experiencing spongey brakes and the pedal going down to the floor.

Any input guys would greatly be appreciated!!

***BMR*** · 09-08-2011, 03:11 PM

Check the flexible brake lines at the calipers. Maybe one of them is bulging (internal leak) when on the brakes?

Mike Gerber · 09-08-2011, 03:32 PM

Just a guess here. Does this happen only after driving the car for at least 10 minutes? If so, you might have a dragging/stuck on emergency brake cable. This can constantly apply pressure to the small emergency brake shoes in the rear. This constant pressure can eventually heat the brake area to the point where the brake fluid boils, causing the pedal to go to the floor, when the pedal is depressed. Liquid brake fluid in the brake lines can not be compressed. Boiling brake fluid turns to a vapor whch can be compressed. This problem is more prominent with rear drum barkes, but can happen to either type of rear brake system.

Mike

skewe · 09-08-2011, 06:00 PM

Are you losing fluid? It seems like a case of brake fluid is escaping

euroimport · 09-08-2011, 06:14 PM

Hey Skewe there are no signs that I'm losing any brake fluid. My mechanic checked for leaks when he was bleeding the lines.

euroimport · 09-08-2011, 06:17 PM

Hey Mike; not too sure when the spongey brakes occur. It seems that there always there even when I start the car in the morning. I guess I notice it more because I'm expecting the brake pedal to behave like that. Is there anything that I should have my mechanic specifically check for tomorrow?

euroimport · 09-08-2011, 06:18 PM

Thanks BMR! I will have my mechanic check tomorrow.

***fenixus*** · 09-08-2011, 07:17 PM

the flexible brake lines are the cause (they could be ballooning a bit under pressure), I replaced pretty much same things on 2002 Solara SLE V6 and now my car stops real good, but I still have that soft(er) brake pedal feeling (when compared to lower miles 5s-fe solara). it must be the brake lines, nothing else left.

***JohnGD*** · 09-09-2011, 12:56 AM

With the engine on rapidly pump the pedal. Does the pedal firm up? If so it's likely an air related problem.

And also just by applying light foot pressure, does the pedal gradually sink toward the floor? If so the master cylinder cups are probably leaking.

When you do feel brakes start to grab as you step on the pedal? About 1/2" down or half-way down?

Mike Gerber · 09-09-2011, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by euroimport

Hey Mike; not too sure when the spongey brakes occur. It seems that there always there even when I start the car in the morning. I guess I notice it more because I'm expecting the brake pedal to behave like that. Is there anything that I should have my mechanic specifically check for tomorrow?

Just have him check for a dragging emergency brake. It's pretty easy. You can check this yourself if you want to. Just jack up the rear of the car with the emergency brake off and try to rotate each back wheel. If one (or both) are noticably hard to turn you have found your problem. If they are easy to turn, they are OK.

Mike