Corolla Brakes - Advice

[MATT.D]

Hi everyone. I've recently purchased a corolla d4d sr 2006. Its done quite a few miles 64,000.

The brake pedal seems to go quite a good way down before the brakes start working. Don't get me wrong the brakes work fine. I've checked the pads and discs, they're all good. It's as though there's air in the system because by pumping the brakes a couple of times you can get the pedal right at the top. I've had my local garage bleed the brakes but it's still the same.

This is my first corolla so i'm not sure if the brakes are all like that or there's something wrong!!

Any advice would be appriciated.

[KPARRIS-JONES]

Hi everyone. I've recently purchased a corolla d4d sr 2006. Its done quite a few miles 64,000.

The brake pedal seems to go quite a good way down before the brakes start working. Don't get me wrong the brakes work fine. I've checked the pads and discs, they're all good. It's as though there's air in the system because by pumping the brakes a couple of times you can get the pedal right at the top. I've had my local garage bleed the brakes but it's still the same.

This is my first corolla so i'm not sure if the brakes are all like that or there's something wrong!!

Any advice would be appriciated.

It might be possible that you have a leak in your brake line and it slowly gets weaker, or your callipers are to blame for the problem.

Try getting a new brake line kit and reconditioned/new callipers, you might then have some luck

I'm not a brake system guru so I can't think of much else other than the master cylinder so try the above.

KPARRIS-JONES

[MATT.D]

Hi everyone. I've recently purchased a corolla d4d sr 2006. Its done quite a few miles 64,000.

The brake pedal seems to go quite a good way down before the brakes start working. Don't get me wrong the brakes work fine. I've checked the pads and discs, they're all good. It's as though there's air in the system because by pumping the brakes a couple of times you can get the pedal right at the top. I've had my local garage bleed the brakes but it's still the same.

This is my first corolla so i'm not sure if the brakes are all like that or there's something wrong!!

Any advice would be appriciated.

It might be possible that you have a leak in your brake line and it slowly gets weaker, or your callipers are to blame for the problem.

Try getting a new brake line kit and reconditioned/new callipers, you might then have some luck

I'm not a brake system guru so I can't think of much else other than the master cylinder so try the above.

KPARRIS-JONES

It isn't loosing any fluid. Do you still think it might be the calipers etc?

[KPARRIS-JONES]

Hi everyone. I've recently purchased a corolla d4d sr 2006. Its done quite a few miles 64,000.

The brake pedal seems to go quite a good way down before the brakes start working. Don't get me wrong the brakes work fine. I've checked the pads and discs, they're all good. It's as though there's air in the system because by pumping the brakes a couple of times you can get the pedal right at the top. I've had my local garage bleed the brakes but it's still the same.

This is my first corolla so i'm not sure if the brakes are all like that or there's something wrong!!

Any advice would be appriciated.

It might be possible that you have a leak in your brake line and it slowly gets weaker, or your callipers are to blame for the problem.

Try getting a new brake line kit and reconditioned/new callipers, you might then have some luck

I'm not a brake system guru so I can't think of much else other than the master cylinder so try the above.

KPARRIS-JONES

It isn't loosing any fluid. Do you still think it might be the calipers etc?

If you're not losing fluid then I'd bet money on the calipers being the problem.

With my GTI-16, my callipers just packed up and I have the same problem. :o It's unfortunate because they can cost between £200-£300 which is by no means cheap. :(

Before you go changing the callipers though, check you master and slave cylinders for pressure loss and cracks ect and replace them if you detect anything as they are cheaper.

KPARRIS-JONES

[nrgizerbunny]

pump the pedal a few times when the engine is cold, it should get firm quick. if it doesn't you're leaking somewhere.

[tccom]

hi, i take it that your corolla is a diesel? if so the pedal is a lot softer and lower than a petrol version as there is more of a servo assistance with a diesel makin the pedal a lot softer and easier to push down. if the pedal pumps up with the engine running and then sinks to the same level themn this is the norm.

[cabcurtains]

Dont forget that all cars are slightly different, the 2 in our house are!

Passat requires no pressure to stop and get some bite because it has all sorts of Gizmos to help the driver

Rolla needs the pedal pressing much further anything to happen, but when it does its very strong

[ricc]

to prove the point all cars are different. my rolla bites from the off. very responsive brakes and if your too keen, youl be hitting abs before you know it! lol.

on my old car, the brakes had about an inch of play before anything happened, and when sat stationary with foot firmly on the pedal it would fully depress after a few seconds, release and hit it again, pedal feel back to where it was.

[MATT.D]

hi, i take it that your corolla is a diesel? if so the pedal is a lot softer and lower than a petrol version as there is more of a servo assistance with a diesel makin the pedal a lot softer and easier to push down. if the pedal pumps up with the engine running and then sinks to the same level themn this is the norm.

Its exactly as you say, tccom. I just wasn't sure as all my other cars (vauxhalls & fords) the pedal was fairly high. And with it being the brakes i didn't want to come unstuck. Thanks for the advice chaps

[tccom]

hi, i take it that your corolla is a diesel? if so the pedal is a lot softer and lower than a petrol version as there is more of a servo assistance with a diesel makin the pedal a lot softer and easier to push down. if the pedal pumps up with the engine running and then sinks to the same level themn this is the norm.

Its exactly as you say, tccom. I just wasn't sure as all my other cars (vauxhalls & fords) the pedal was fairly high. And with it being the brakes i didn't want to come unstuck. Thanks for the advice chaps

no problem matey glad to help

[Beagh1958]

I have a Corolla D4D & your brakes sound crook. Diesel engine does not produce a vacum to help with your brake facum assist, will have small pump running of engine to produce vacum. Where as petrol naturally produces vacum which is tapped of induction system at some point. My car has good firm pedal. As suggested by other postings if everything appears to be OK no leaks or bulges in brake pipes when pedal pressed, it is possible calipers are playing up, indeed highly likely. But also you may have faulty master cylinder with defective seals allowing fluid to pass seals when pedal pressed.

Sorry to confuse things, just something else to look at.

[MATT.D]

I have a Corolla D4D & your brakes sound crook. Diesel engine does not produce a vacum to help with your brake facum assist, will have small pump running of engine to produce vacum. Where as petrol naturally produces vacum which is tapped of induction system at some point. My car has good firm pedal. As suggested by other postings if everything appears to be OK no leaks or bulges in brake pipes when pedal pressed, it is possible calipers are playing up, indeed highly likely. But also you may have faulty master cylinder with defective seals allowing fluid to pass seals when pedal pressed.

Sorry to confuse things, just something else to look at.

Thanks for that beagh1958. I must be honest i wasn't best impressed with the fact you could pump the pedal up. But whats confusing me is the fact the pedal always goes down to the same point and the brakes work well. Plus i always thought if calipers were faulty they'd either leak or seize. Could do with some more d4d owners letting me know if there brakes pump up.

[Geriatric]

Hi I posted this 2006 regarding my 1.4D4D corolla

"The one thing I have failed to ascertain is why the brake pedal can be slowly pressed to the floor when first getting into the car without the engine running and also when stopped with the engine running.

This is contrary to anything I have read about brakes but it would seem this is normal and not a fault. Does anybody know how these brakes work?

When I first noticed this I took the car to a Toyota service dealer who at first said not normal but when he checked with two other new Corollas he ascertained that they were the same and after a lengthy telephone call to the main importer he said that this was normal.

I subsequently received a confirmatory e-mail stating that this was normal.

I have no complaints about the performance of the brakes but like to know how things work."

Never received any replies but it would seem they are all like this.

I believe I did read something about the servo assist did not come in at very low speeds to avoid too sharp a stop.

Please post if you find out more. It is definitely nothing to do with air in the system.

[MATT.D]

Hi I posted this 2006 regarding my 1.4D4D corolla

"The one thing I have failed to ascertain is why the brake pedal can be slowly pressed to the floor when first getting into the car without the engine running and also when stopped with the engine running.

This is contrary to anything I have read about brakes but it would seem this is normal and not a fault. Does anybody know how these brakes work?

When I first noticed this I took the car to a Toyota service dealer who at first said not normal but when he checked with two other new Corollas he ascertained that they were the same and after a lengthy telephone call to the main importer he said that this was normal.

I subsequently received a confirmatory e-mail stating that this was normal.

I have no complaints about the performance of the brakes but like to know how things work."

Never received any replies but it would seem they are all like this.

I believe I did read something about the servo assist did not come in at very low speeds to avoid too sharp a stop.

Please post if you find out more. It is definitely nothing to do with air in the system.

Many thanks for your reply Geriatric. I'll do a bit more digging. If i find any more out i'll email you.