Brake Problem

[Total Eclipse]

Last night I replaced the front brake pads on my RAV4 D-4D. I opened the bleed valve on the calipers while compressing them with a G clamp,as I'd heard that on systems with ABS, it wasn't advisable to simply push the calipers back in.

The only exception to this was when refitting the second caliper - it wasn't quite compressed enough, so I pushed it back in without opening the valve, which had the unfortunate effect of pushing some fluid out of the top of the reservoir.

Since then, the brakes appear to work okay in usual use, but when the vehicle is stationary with the engine running, rapidly pumping the brake pedal results in it going hard after 5 or 6 pumps, to the point where you can't depress the pedal at all. At this point, the brake warning light comes on, and there is NO braking at all. After a couple of seconds, the pedal will slowly sink and braking returns. In general use the pedal isn't spongy, so I don't think there's any air in there.

Can anyone shed any light on what I've done wrong, and the best course of action to rectify it?

[GT4 BOOSTER]

the pedal going hard after 5 or 6 pumps is completly normal.

no idea why the light comes on

have you checked the brake fluid level.

[famz]

you best check the piston seal etc for wear and tear as i had a brake problem recently where my brakes wouldnt release hence slowing down my car and after pumping the brake pedal few times it wouldnt sink down due to the seal being torn, as well as the hot weather causing the rubber to expand.

[tea sport]

As diesel engines dont have inlet manifold vacum pressure. A pump creates a vacum. It is stored in a black cylinder on the bulk head. If you keep pressing the brake you will use up all the stored vacum. This will caues the warning light to come on and the servo wont work thats why the pedel goes hard. It is normal most diesel toyotas do this. As for pushing back the piston i have done it many many times with no problems.