nmtomcat

The brake pedal felt much lower or closer to the floor than normal right after I leased this car. It had felt fine when I test drove it, so I thought something might have been sprayed on the rotors during dealer prep.The dealer finally cleaned the rotors, and it felt better for a few days.

Now, when I'm driving, when I first press the brake pedal, it seems too low and somewhat vague, maybe squishy would be a better term. The stopping pressure always seems like it varies as the speed reduces and I come to a stop. If I pump the brakes once, the pedal comes up to what seems like normal to me, and the stopping also feels normal. I don't feel like I should have to pump the brakes on a $49,000 car like I used to on my '41 Ford. I do have an appointment with the dealer again tomorrow.

Anyone else experience anything similar?

vlad_a

Bleed the brakes and replace the brake fluid while you're at it.

LeoDLion

I agree with this. It maybe air entrap inside the brake system which makes you fell squishy when you press the brake pedal. And when you pump it, it feels higher. The brake slave cylinder needs to be look at too.

nmtomcat

Bleeding the brakes is what I suggested when I talked to the service writer this morning. He said a service tech would go with me and check the brakes out. He then said someone from corporate may need to come in and check them.

nmtomcat

I took the Lexus to the dealer this morning. The service tech had told me last time that the brake pedal free play was not adjustable. I thought that was very strange. This time a different tech checked it and said the free play was adjustable. He adjusted the free play, and now the brakes feel fine to me. Just shows it pays to be persistent with Lexus dealers.

odessitik

Low brake pedal may be caused by incorrect position of pushrod. It is an adjustable part, so you can take it to the Dealer and have them adjusted. A lot of times they don't want to spend enough time to check it. Therefore request them to document the specification of pushrod clearance and what they found in your car.

I know I am late for response to an original post, so I hope this helps someone.

Thanks.

raylor4

I've always felt the brake pedal felt low compared to my Highlander and Avalon. Freeplay is consistent and not squishy. The dealer said "There's nothing wrong with it." I would rather have heard "It's within specs."
I'd love to find out what the free play is supposed to be.
Ray A.

raylor4

From the Lexus service manual via Google...Checking Brake Pedal Free Play

With the engine stopped, first reduce the vacuum in the booster by depressing the brake pedal several times. Then lightly and slowly press down on the pedal with your fingers and measure the distance it moves before slight resistance is felt.
If the freeplay is more or less than specification, have your Lexus dealer adjust the brakes.
Specification is 1 − 6 mm (0.04 − 0.24 in.)
I'm gonna say anything over ¼ inch is too much.

I just checked my free play. It's one inch, but that's pushing hard. Maybe what I'm talking about is the "grab point" of the brakes which is one inch of pedal travel. Time for another dealer appointment.
Ray A.

odessitik

I worked for Toyota for many years and during that time we had a few cars that were out of specs on the pushrod clearance. Most of the cars were within specs.