Hello,

I have a 95 ES, and I have a question regarding its brake system. When stomping on the brake pedal, first inch or two feels soft and effortless and gradually becomes firm. I thought it was time to bleed the brake system, so I bled the brakes and filled with ATE fluids and feels very slightly better. Are ES brakes suppose to be like that? My other car (Subaru WRX) feels much firmer, and I'm wondering if this characteristic is normal for ES.

Thanks.

There is always supposed to have a free play of about an inch in all brake systems when depressing the brake pedal, so this is very normal.

Oh okay, just want to confirm. I've driven a Porsche Carrera and its brake pedel does not travel at all, once you step on it, it stops on a dime, maybe that's just for sports cars.

Could it be master cylinder failure? The initial stomp seems soft, but if I pump the brakes several times, it becomes firm.

please help me solve this mystery.

You didn't mention before about having to pump the pedal for it to become firm, but in that case it could be air in the hydraulic system. This type of system should use a power bleeder to make sure all the air is out.

I already bled the system.

did you bleed just from the calipers or did you bleed from the ABS actuator too?

When in doubt, which you are, go have it bled professionally and see if the problem is solved.

steviej

caliper. i dont see why bleeding from abs actuator would help.

Bleeding a system with ABS is different than your run-of-the mill brake systems. When you bled the brakes did you do it in the correct sequence? Did you use a Power Bleeder?

I think that steviej was correct in saying to have the system professionally bled.

And they would automatically know? What make them so special that they know everything? I refuse to go get my car service by anyone else because more than few times, they made the problems worse than it already was. I DO NOT trust mechanics. I prefer DIY, and yes I did do it in order, and no I did not use power bleeder. How do you suppose people bled their brakes before power bleeder was available on the market?\

Moreover, I have not activated the ABS after bleeding the calipers, so whether or not to bleed ABS unit has nothing to do with my symptoms.

I can see by your response that you really don't want any constructive criticism, especially from your last post. Therefore, I would like to wish you the best of luck in your endeavor.

so the standard answer on the forum is: "take it to a dealer."

What's the point of having a forum then?

Oh my gosh that is such hogwash!

There is no mechanical differance between an ABS and non-ABS system. Only for the fact that your ABS Computer has control over one -> four tiny valves in the proportioning system (NO PARTS DIFFERANCE, simply valves added to parts all-ready in place) depending how complex the ABS system is.


WIMPWGN
Every Toyota is setup with farther pedal travel than normal. It's a smoother way to stop. They don't need firm pedals, so the throw is very progressive. Even Toyota sports cars are more progressive compaired to similar classed vehicles.

As long as your pedal doesn't sink when you press it, indicating a leak, the system is operating the way in which is was designed.

2nd with pheonix

Thank you very much for the clarification. No problem with my brakes!