Brakes

[Rhian27]

So after a service with toyota I was told the front discs and pads needed replacing and the rear pads. Car has done 54000. Replaced them all yesterday with a little help, however they still feel spongy for want of a better term. Is this normal or have I made a mistake doing it by myself?

Car is 2007 t180.

Thanks

[Exvec]

?Did you actually break into the system at all Rhian.

[gazza1286]

Did you open the hydraulics? It's not required but if you did, some air may have entered the system.

[Rhian27]

Ummmmm !!! The brake fluid lid was off to watch for rise and fall in fluid!? I had help didn't do this all alone. I don't think so, but assuming there is air in the system how do I get rid of it!?

[Rhian27]

Thinking maybe I should just send it to a garage in the future!!

[gazza1286]

Air wouldnt have got into the system by just doing that so don't worry.

Have you actually driven the car yet?

[Rhian27]

Yes. They feel spongy to me but my husband thinks they feel ok compared to his car (which I don't trust as far as I could throw it!) do new brakes need time to settle? When changing them my friend who helped said he could hear air in the system esp when doing the back pads. He said something about bleeding the system? When Toyota serviced the car a month ago I paid for brake fluid change so assumed it would have been done then? Driving to Cornwall from London next fri so just want to be sure all is ok. EGR could do with a clean but not sure I will have time to do it

[gazza1286]

The only air noise that can be heard would be that coming from the pedal area. This would have been when pumping the pedal to reset the caliper pistons against new pads.

Sometimes new pads don't sit flat against the disc when swapped due to rust build up on the discs. If you have changed the front ones then it's possible that the rears may be slightly askew causing a spongey pedal. This will sort itself when the pads settles after a few miles and some firm braking.

[Rhian27]

Ok will give it a few runs tomorrow and hope it feels better. Thanks

[Exvec]

Brake pedal can sometimes be on the spongy side when new pads and discs are fitted,the pads will need to bed in to the new discs over a short period,the absolute worse case scenario can be that the seals in the master cylinder have flipped when you pushed the brake pistons back in to accommodate the new pads,i would keep pumping the peddle when stationary for a while,and then take the car out when its quieter and try it then,if it doesn't seem to be normal then i would look at using a pressure bleeding kit ..ie easi -bleed and bleed the system through,and that will do the job...let us know the outcome Rhian.

[Whitewagon]

Don't risk it. If you and your helper are not confident about working on brakes then get it to someone who is. If there is a problem you may not get any warning of a complete failure. Brakes and tyres are the two most important items on a car, you clearly are not sure if they are OK so don't take the risk, it's not just your life you are putting in danger.

[Konrad C]

So after a service with toyota I was told the front discs and pads needed replacing and the rear pads. Car has done 54000. Replaced them all yesterday with a little help, however they still feel spongy for want of a better term. Is this normal or have I made a mistake doing it by myself?

Car is 2007 t180.

Thanks

Hi Rhian,

It is normal.

When you and your helper changed the brakes, did you do the following:

• clean the hub mating surfaces before mounting the discs
• remove the protective grease from the disc contact surface using brake cleaning spray and cloth

Once you have pumped the pedal a few times, you should have a good braking action, but as Michael has said spongy brakes until they have bed in.

This means you should brake gently and try to anticipate traffic and road conditions, plus have a larger gap to the car in front. It may even improve your economy! After about 150 miles you should have firmer brakes.

Also your brake fluid may need changing if there is no change after the bedding period.

Konrad

[Rhian27]

Hi yes we did all of the above. My friend who helped has done brakes on other cars so perhaps it's just me being weary as it's not gone to the garage! I have started to learn to do things on the car myself such as clean the EGR etc and in my old car change coils etc. I am sure they are fine as if my friend felt there was a problem he would not have let me drive it away.

Brake fluid was replaced on service a month ago and was clear and clean. Assumed the brakes need time to just bed in and do their thing.

Thanks