05' Camry passenger brake locks up on ABS system

[Rich1281]

05' Camry LE 4 cyl. with ABS brakes. Just passed 100K miles:
Passenger side front brake locks up once and a while.

Installed new rotors & pads then it did it again 9,000 miles later in the mountains of Tennessee! Grrrr. Replaced the hose with another rotor and pads. Bled fluid both times and fluid was clean.

Proportioning or a modulator valve? The Modulator valve lists for $1500 ! OUCH. If its that I'm trading the sucker in.

Your thoughts are greatly appreciated.
BTW, my best friends 03" Corolla has this exact same problem and his isn't ABS. This is why I'm thinking it may be a proportioning valve, if the 05' Camry has one.

Thanks
Rich, northern Ohio

[Axxis8203]

i've rarely seen a proportioning valve go bad, and never seen one gone bad on a toyota. that said, i would look more toward the caliper as the problem. i'd recommend you disassemble and completely regrease all the critical lube points on the caliper to make sure it's not binding and causing your problem.

does the ABS light come on when the wheels lock up?

[Rich1281]

Originally Posted by Axxis8203

i've rarely seen a proportioning valve go bad, and never seen one gone bad on a toyota. that said, i would look more toward the caliper as the problem. i'd recommend you disassemble and completely regrease all the critical lube points on the caliper to make sure it's not binding and causing your problem.

does the ABS light come on when the wheels lock up?

My friend had both calipers replaced, both hoses, both pads and rotors and its still doing it. The shop also changed all the fluids twice! I have heard that the calipers can get debris in them, but I'm suspicious since Marks car (friend) had all this done last week, went on the highway and at 70 mph they braked and they again locked up. Mechanics stated they have never heard or experienced anything like this with ANY Toyota.

No, neither cars ABS light comes on. What would that mean if it did ?

Thanks for the responce.

Rich

[Rich1281]

I will have Mark come on tonight and share the facts of his car, which is also happening to mine.

[Axxis8203]

if the ABS light was comig on i would have suspected a fault in he ABS system. since that isn't the case i would now look toward the brake Master Cylinder. the pushrod may be out of adjustment or the seals may just be worn and getting bad. this would be my next step. before replacing i would see if your mechanic is willing to adjust the pushrod rather than just replace the whole MC. most mechanics won't want to do any adjustment, it's just not as cost effective for them as replacing the MC (read: less profit.)

but if this problem is a new onset of a previously properly working system i would end toward a new MC.

Good Luck

[Rich1281]

Update:

Mark was called by his mechanic, I guess they did every test they could and then it acted up in the shop. You were correct Axxis8203, the Master Cylinder was the culprit!

Can you help explain or post a link as to why this was happening? Am I correct that they have pistons in them and they may not withdraw back, thus the calipers remain tight? But why on maybe only one brake and in the case of Marks car both the fronts after the intial problem of the passenger only? THis is why I was leaning towards the proportional valve due to one causing the problem.

Now, on my Camry, which is doing about the exact same thing, should I buy a manual and try to adjust or just replace it? I have just turned 100K miles and plan on another 100k.

Also, when you change the complet master cylinder does it need adjusting or is it pre set? I suspect that they do. I've never taken one apart before.

Thanks so much for you input, you have been a pleasure to communicate with.

Rich

[Axxis8203]

if you're planning to keep the car till it dies i would go ahead and change out the MC, just for peace of mind, and safety.

as for further info http://www.tegger.com/hondafaq/maste...ace/index.html

as for adjusting the MC i haven't actually had occasion to install one so i'm not sure as to whether any adjustments are required upon installation, but i would assume so. a Chilton or Hayes manual should be able to better help you out with this.