Brake pedal to the floor Avensis 2

doh777 · 28-09-2023 1:24pm #1

Hello

Trying to sort out a braking issue on a 2008 Avensis.

Pedal goes to the floor and there is no braking power.

I looked at pads, plenty of wear left.

I bled the brakes. Working from the back brakes to the front passenger side all was going well. The brake pedal felt normal again.

Went to bleed the driver side brake and the pedal reverted back to no power and travelling to the floor.

Changing the Brake master cylinder has been mentioned but might there be another solution? It was curious how it suddenly went bad again when I bled the drivers side brake.

Thanks in advance.

TigerTim · 28-09-2023 5:32pm

Not sure if its of any help but I had a similar issue in a Corolla years ago & the seals in the master cylinder had gone bad. My mechanic refurbed the master cylinder.

T.

mickdw · 28-09-2023 5:44pm

Probably the master cylinder alright but I'd clamp the flexi hoses at each wheel in turn and all together to see if it shines any light on it.

doh777 · 28-09-2023 6:08pm

Ok. Thanks for the replies.

I'll go with changing the brake master cylinder (wouldn't know how to refurbish it).

To ask, the clamping of the flexi hoses will reveal what? And I would clamp them in turn then try the brake pedal? And then altogether?

Thanks again

mickdw · 28-09-2023 11:48pm

I'd clamp each wheel individually. If for example you had some mad dodgy caliper that wasn't sliding and somehow was allowing excess piston travel, clamping the flexi at that wheel would regain solid pedal and point you.towards an issue at that wheel.

It's a quick and easy check so why not.

doh777 · 08-10-2023 7:46pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121171270#Comment_121171270

Thanks for the suggestion. I'm new to working on cars, just DIY, so I wouldn't be sure what I'd be looking for with your suggestion. As said I'll try to change the master cylinder and go from there. Thanks

Spook_ie · 09-10-2023 5:14am

If you're new to working on cars I would suggest any brake issues are looked at by a good independent mechanic.

doh777 · 09-10-2023 3:46pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121212371#Comment_121212371

I'll take this advice. Left it in to a mechanic today. Thanks for all replies.

mickdw · 09-10-2023 5:46pm

Let us know what the issue was.

MrCostington · 10-10-2023 8:27am

I know the OP has gone to a mechanic, but I had a similar experience last year with my 40yo car. I had to replace a stuck caliper, and had a mate help me with the bleeding, we are both experienced, but despite spending hours on it could not get it bleed. Pedal to the floor after the job.

Doing some research, it seems on an old master cylinder, a ridge can form in the bore (and/or corrosion) at the point where the normal piston travel ends. When you're bleeding, you naturally press the pedal all the way, so the piston seals get damaged passing over this ridge/corrosion.

A new master cylinder did the job. Maybe this is what happened to the OP?

mickdw · 10-10-2023 8:33am

Ya that happens. Its always wise to try bleeding without pushing past the normal area of travel.

doh777 · 10-10-2023 5:10pm

Turns out I hadn't bled the brakes properly. One of the mechanics mentioned having to have the brake pedal to the floor when bleeding the final driver side brake. (Not 100% on that as fact). It's a two man job. I think the garage had a pneumatic bleeding system which does the job perfectly.

mickdw · 10-10-2023 5:14pm

Not so bad. A cheap job in the end.

doh777 · 10-10-2023 5:32pm

Yep. €80.

Thanks again for all replies.

Dirty Nails · 10-10-2023 6:42pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121219717#Comment_121219717

You didn't say why the pedal dropped in the start. If it dropped of it's own accord,the problem isn't fixed

doh777 · 10-10-2023 9:40pm

When pushed it went to the floor. There was still air in the system I think.

Dirty Nails · 10-10-2023 9:53pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121221177#Comment_121221177

If this just happened out of the blue & not because of / after repairs air wasn't your problem. Non return valve in the master cyl let fluid back in to the reservoir instead of pressurising it. Change the cylinder for your own safety,it'll likely happen again & as always when you really need the brakes.

greasepalm · 10-10-2023 10:03pm

Was the brake fluid level checked first and what colour was it ? Were all brakes visibly checked front and rear.

Are there shoes and leaking cylinders on the rear and would have low level in the reservoir.

If master cylinder was faulty having all 4 flexy hoses clamped pedal would still go to the floor.

Toyotas are usually reliably great cars with little issues but even metal pipes can fail and stains under the car or on wheels.

There are one man brake bleeding kits you connect to bleed nipple and a valve and give pedal a few slow pumps will push air out.

Do all wheels for clean fluid in your system.

Brake pedal to the floor Avensis 2

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