St202 - Brake Failure On Motorway!

[eurus7]

Anyone got any ideas why my 1995 unmodified ST202 brakes failed on a <70mph motorway cruise?

I was driving along in no rush at all, had not even touched the brakes for a good few miles, then as I needed to brakes, my foot smoothly, silently and easily went all the way to the floor with no reduction in speed I lifted off the brake and pressed again - worked fine. Same thing happened twice more, until I realised that the more I used the brakes, the less it happened. So, the rest of the journey was crawling home in the slow lane braking every couple of minutes.

There were no fluid leaks, no drop in fluid level, no warning lights, no noises - just no brakes!

Toyota want £260 for a new master cylinder and I dread to think what an ABS unit costs. So, the car is off the road until I can diagnose the (intermittent!!!) problem or I sell it for spares or repair.

HELP!

[Jones~32]

Have you got any play in the wheel bearings? if so, this could be knocking back the pads, then the first time you hit the brakes, this is just pumping the brakes back up as the pads are too far away from the discs...

If they are ok, any air in the system? I'd get the brakes bled and see if it still happens...

Failing that, I would then look at the master cylinder, but would check to see if the above solves it first, could save you a fair bit of money! ;)

[Boro Sera]

I was thinking the same thing. the pads are being knocked away from the discs.

Warped discs can cause this too.

Agree with bleeding the system first though, that might just do it for you.

[chris202]

Bet that scared you a bit eh !! :D

[eurus7]

Bet that scared you a bit eh !! :D

Yes, certainly an interesting moment there...

Thanks for the other advice. I will bleed the brakes and see if the discs are badly warped.

But, the bigger issue is that unless I do find a definite fault, how can I ever drive the car again? Would any of you drive a car if there was possibly an unresolved brake fault that could cause them to fail at any time without warning? Even if I am only doing 20-30mph and some child jumps into the road, I want to know my brakes will work on the first press every time...

If I do not find the fault, the options as I see them are:

scrap the car

sell it as a non-runner for spares

sell it as a 'project car' which needs a full new braking system

Whatever the case, looks like I am going to be out of pocket :(

[Mops1]

This happened on my avensis last week whilst coming to a crossroad - slammed my foot to the floor and the abs worked overtime allowing me to steer around the corner before the junction and stopped about a foot past the give way line. Car has not left the drive since although brakes were fine for the rest of the journey home. I'll keep my eye on any news you have !!

[eurus7]

This happened on my avensis last week whilst coming to a crossroad - slammed my foot to the floor and the abs worked overtime allowing me to steer around the corner before the junction and stopped about a foot past the give way line. Car has not left the drive since although brakes were fine for the rest of the journey home. I'll keep my eye on any news you have !!

Likewise, my Celica has not moved since and I am looking for a new car now. You seem to be in a slightly better situation than me though in as much as that it would appear your fault was in the ABS system which has few (but expensive) parts. I did not detect any noise or vibration as mine failed, so ruled out ABS.

[sotal]

Have you got any quiet country roads near by?? I would carefully take it somewhere quiet then give it plenty of testing.

If you don't feel confident to do that take it to an independent mechanic and get them to sort it out. Wouldn't cost too much I'm sure

[PartsGuide]

I was driving along in no rush at all, had not even touched the brakes for a good few miles, then as I needed to brakes, my foot smoothly, silently and easily went all the way to the floor with no reduction in speed

Sounds like a nightmare I have every now and then. No kidding. Pretty scary.

[eurus7]

The car ('M' reg, silver, ST202) is on eBay now (item number 280051086523 ) with faults for spares or repair....

7 months tax, MOT and a personalised number plate included too!

There are also some pics of it on aolpictures under the Tag eurus7 celica .