Brake ?

Jun 21, 2006 3 Replies

Hi Guys,



I have a 1995 2.2 Litre 4 Cyl Auto with 81000 miles on it. And have owned it from new.



One minor problem which I am unsure about. Its to do with the Brake pedal travel.



The brakes are good and work fine. If I pump the pedal while engine is off there is just a small drop in pedal height. MAX 1 cmt before all mechanical movement stops. Dash pot is full of fluid.



If I hold my foot on the pedal and start the engine. There is about 4 cmts drop in the pedal. Again brakes work fine and are progressive.



However an odd time when I go for the pedal it seems that some of the



4 cmt travel has been lost and the brakes are operating at a higher point on the pedal. This can take you by surprise at times.

Its as if the mechanical rod , pedal to back of booster has increased in length. That's the only way I can describe it.



It most happens if I have ran up a freeway say 70 MPH about. I have not noticed it in town work. I suppose the mechanical linkages may get warmer and expand but I don't think it would make that difference.



The pedal does not stay active at the higher position On say the next application of the brakes its in what I consider to be the correct / usual lower position.



I must admit I would like the pedal to work in the higher position if there was a choice. As in an emergency I think it would be an advantage. Being only 5 foot 4 tall I don't have a lot of leg to spare LOL.



Any ideas.



Johnny UK.


So should it be at the higher point as normal ? I dont ever remember it been up there. I have had other cars that were very hard with only a small movement of pedal. But dont recollect this Camry being like that.

Strange.

Johnny UK.

Johnny,

That drop in pedal position when you start the engine should be there, and tells you that the power brake booster is working. However 4 cm sounds a bit much, and it may indicate some air is present in your system.

If the pedal height varies in use when driving, this could also be due to air in the fluid, or to the brake fluid having absorbed too much moisture over time. When cold, the pedal would feel more firm than when very hot. Is it a long time since the brake fluid was replaced?

Either way, bleed your brake system, and replace the fluid wholly if it is more than a year or so old. If you have ABS brakes you will not be able to bleed the system properly at home, it takes shop equipment.

Geoff

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