Brakes Failed

[onestar]

Has anyone experienced this. Its an Avensis 1.8 2002 September, with about 18000 miles on the clock.

I was about to go out, reversed the car, braked (normal), moved forward and there were no brakes - suddenly. I mean the pedal was completely loose (thought I had missed the pedal). Luckily for me I was going very slow, and the car stopped by itself. But unless I push the pedal all the way to the floor there were no brakes at all. I hate to think what would have happened 4 minutes later as I was supposed to be on the motorway.

I took the car to the nearest dealer, and its there now, but wondering what/why/how this could happen. I'm not even convinced that pushing all the way down to the floor applies sufficient braking or just a little braking - didn't feel like testing it properly. I am convinced I saw a puddle of oil fluid where they failed.

This car was supposed to be the safe family car for my wife and kids - I am shocked.

[Avensis Lady]

Hi,

I've not had that problem with an Avensis but I did with an old Corolla- led to a scary moment.

I would suggest that the brakes are bled.

Other will probably know more than me though.

P

[onestar]

Well I just phoned them, and they say that the brake pipe was "cut". Don't know yet that means someone cut it, or it was damaged cut. But not very safe if it can get damaged just like that - and I cant believe someone chose to cut the pipe.

[T V O R]

they say that the brake pipe was "cut

If that’s the case then I would be contacting the Police as soon as possible.

The only reason I can think of for someone to deliberately cut your brake pipes is to cause you injury or even death.

Are there ‘other issues’ which you haven’t told us about?

[Chappers]

Blimey.. Do you live in a rough neighbourhood? Any jealous people?..

Lucky mate.. very lucky.

[onestar]

  Blimey.. Do you live in a rough neighbourhood? Any jealous people?..

Lucky mate.. very lucky. 

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No, and not that I know off. The other car is still running...maybe I should check its brakes too. I just dont know what the receptionist meant by cut (previously damaged cut, cut by other factors or sliced cut)...going to go down and find out me thinks.

Cos yes to "voice of reason" if it was cut, then police - and nothing I can think of to cause any issues.

[GT4 BOOSTER]

she may of meant a rubber flexi hose was cut.

[onestar]

Well just back, spoke to the workshop manager. His initial verdict the pipe was cut deliberately -- though he is going to get the pipe off to have a look properly within the next hour.

1. its kind of worrying -- no very worrying if it was cut.

2. He says he cant get a part until February???

[onestar]

Well just back, spoke to the workshop manager. His initial verdict the pipe was cut deliberately -- though he is going to get the pipe off to have a look properly within the next hour.

1. its kind of worrying  -- no very worrying if it was cut.

2. He says he cant get a part until February???

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Another update, upon closer inspection the manager says looks like its been chewed. Kind of relieved at that. sort of. Worrying though thats even more random!!!!!

Now for the spare part.......

[Chappers]

<Wipes Forehead>.. Phew.. <Sigh of relief>.. Getting a bit gangsta for a while there!

[T V O R]

<Wipes Forehead>.. Phew.. <Sigh of relief>.. Getting a bit gangsta for a while there!

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So are we looking for a gangsta with big teeth?

I would ask for the part back and take it to the Police anyway to get a second opinion, just in case.

Like you said, if you was on the Motorway it would be a different story now.

[tooyoung]

Chewed. You haven't annoyed someones cat or rabbit. You know what Chris Moyles said...

"Dogs don't kill people, rabbits do"

[onestar]

Yep its all weird, especially add to this that they said the part can't be sourced for 4 weeks. I called another dealer, and they said, Tuesday (3 days) from Toyota. When I challenged this dealer, they've found a non-Toyota source for tommorrow. Stranger and stranger. I will ask for the pipe -- bet they will have disposed of it, lost it when I do.!

Makes me wonder, was it cut, was it a fault, was it chewed - or am I too suspicious :)

[Airbag]

It's the 'Killer Rabbit' syndrome, mate. 1% of all Avensis are prone to this problem. Do you keep a lot of lettuce in your boot?

Good job you found it before you drove off.

If it's due to chafe you might do a visual inspection under the car to make sure the flexible pipes aren't near anything else. Some years ago Ford had to recall rather a lot of Fiestas due to brakeline 'chafe' problems.

[onestar]

Update:

Got the part back. What do you guys think. It doesn't look cut or chewed to me. More like faulty part. That small section is not right. The rest of the pipe is smooth.

Picture1

Picture 2

[Chappers]

Looks melted..???

[onestar]

Looks melted..???

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Possibly. It certainly reminds me of rubber items that "lose" their rubberness are a period of time due to exposure to something or other. Because this is only on one section, I wondered if it was faulty. I need to crawl under the car once this snow is away to see if this brake pipe is close to any heat source.

[Airbag]

Hmm, difficult to say, but it looks like fatigue failure, possibly caused by exposure to something. Do you know (if the car is more than a couple of years old ) if the brake fluid has been changed ?

[onestar]

Hmm, difficult to say, but it looks like fatigue failure, possibly caused by exposure to something.  Do you know (if the car is more than a couple of years old ) if the brake fluid has been changed ?

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Car is only 2 years 3 months old. Bought from dealer part of the ex-Toyota fleet. Yhis damage to just a small section of pipe, the majority of the pipe is how I would expect it ... dirty but smooth and flexible.

[tunix]

Onestar,

I've heard a story a friend of mine livinig in a southern Germany. A brake fluid pipe in his car was chewed by a kind of weasel or similiar animal. Maybe this is what happened to your car.

tx

[onestar]

Onestar,

I've heard a story a friend of mine livinig in a southern Germany. A brake fluid pipe in his car was chewed by a kind of weasel or similiar animal. Maybe this is what happened to your car.

tx

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Thats what the dealer wants me to believe. But looking at it, and the pictures perhaps don't show it clearly, it really doesn't look chewed, looks more like failure due to manufacturing fault or exposure to something. The rubber in that area looks "melted" or cracked, bending the pipe there, shows more cracks which I would imagine stress would increase. But it is only on that small section of pipe.