2012 Toyota Rav4 - Locked brake pedals while driving

[Hugo Guerrero]

Hi everyone, 

My 2012 Rav4, automatic 2WD blocks/lock the brakes pedal while driving, its the second time in 2 years that happens.
Both times its been like i have the foot slowly on the breaks and suddenly a weird noise comes from the left-front wheel (like two iron parts crushing each other) followed by my brake pedal locking up. Its important to mention, that both times happened exactly when one of my front wheels crashed with a pothole.

i have some suspicions

1. Several mechanics have told me that the zipper requires a replacement. Its posible that the zipper is causing that issue??

2. Everytime i start the car, i hear the same weird noise, but lower, when i turn the steering wheel in any direction, noise comes always from the left-front wheel. But it happens only once each time i turn on the car. No matter if the car is on temperature or not.
 

May someone give me a clue, please!

[Hugo Guerrero]

Zipper = Steering rack

 

sorry**

[knights_in]

I think you have several different issues caused from the pothole. Have you got access to a jack, chocks, level ground, time and knowledge to jack the front left wheel off the ground?

If you do then I would park the car with the steering wheel full lock right. Look at the front left wheel area and see if there is any obvious signs of damage to the wheel and the suspension. 

Safely jack the front left wheel off the ground and spin it by hand. Try to see if you can feel anything knocking or rubbing. Put your hand at the 11 and 1 position and give the wheel a gentle pull towards you and push it away from you, see if there is any play there. You do not need to pull or push hard to feel any movement. If you have gloves and the car hasn't been driven recently then you can put your hand in and try to wiggle items, mainly the brake caliper, tie rods etc.. Drop the car back on the floor and remove the jack. If you have a torch then you can have a look in the wheel to see the disc and pads. Check the right hand side wheel first then hop in and turn the steering wheel full lock left. Repeat previous check for left brake.

Report your findings here and we will see what we can do. If you have a chance to take pictures of the left wheel area then that can also be useful.