Corolla ... my long lasting problem with brakes

[corolla_110k]

Hello all,

I've had my 2006 1.4 Toyota Corolla for about 5 years now and soon after I bought it had problems with the brakes. A brief summary of what I have had done to the car is below:

• New front brake pads (2014)
• New rear brake discs (2014)
• New shoes (2016)
• New front caliper/slider (2013)
• Check of all calipers (2016) - as they were found to be seized in 2014

My brakes can be described as 'spongy' so I tried have the brake fluid bled, no improvement. Went to see a toyota specialist who found the caliper was seized in 2014. Once he 'un-seized' it, the brakes were fantastic. This only lasted for a month then back to normal. Went back to the garage but the calipers were working fine.

The reason for the post is that my handbrake failed on my yesterday on a hill. I tried stopping the car in gear (1st when facing uphill), but even then it slowly juddered backwards. I only had the shoes replaced in March this year.

Just wondering if anyone has got any ideas as to what may be wrong with it. It just seems that every time I take it to a garage, it gets better for a month or so but then back to normal (which isn't great)

Happy to provide more details 

Thanks

Stephen

 

[oldcodger]

Hi,

Well there are lots of things that can give you such a problem as spongy brakes, though, the ok for a month bit,  is somewhat confusing.

First some questions to you - have you done any of the work on the brakes yourself or has it all been done by garages ?

Are you looking for info on how to check the brakes yourself or just suggestions of what the garages should be looking at ?

When you say the front caliper was replaced was it just one or both front calipers ?  and where they new ones or reburbished or second hand  and from where  ?

On the face of it if you have had new rear discs and shoes fitted in the last two years, I would normally assume they would be ok and that its just a case of adjustment of the shoes and/or the handbrake cable; however to be safe the disc/drum needs to be removed to inspect and clean the shoes and drum contact surface.

While your tale sounds bad, think it cannot be that bad otherwise you would not have passed the mot for the last few years, did they give any comments /advisories ?

[RazzerRazor]

As above with a few questions mate. My take on it by the sounds of it would be...

Does the brake lines need replacing. Cheap job. Hand brake cable defo needs replacing now ha. What fluid is being used also. Is the abs pumping working right i.e. all the time or faulty. Do you drive it hard, brake wise! 

My friend owns a garage he's a Toyota Specialist in Hyde Manchester. He'd a look for you.

[scoobyblue]

when the calipers were replaced/ worked at, did they renew the flexible pipes, these can get damaged on the inside especially if they are clamped to stop brake fluid escaping. they may look ok on visual inspection but the inner wall can disintegrate.

[mickburkesnr]

Have you kept an eye on the brake fluid level to see if it's going down? I would think air is getting in to the system somewhere, which you indicate a leak.

[corolla_110k]

Thanks for all your replies. The work has always been undertaken by garages which were recommended to me. I tried bleeding the brake fluid before, but that didn't do anything. The brake fluid level stays at the same level, I can't remember the last time I had to top it up!

I tried adjusting the handbrake cable, made it quite tight, but still doesn't work. It does seem however that the cable is only pulling on tyre, so I'll take it to a garage to see if that is the case. If so, I imagine something may have got seized...