Brake Problem?

Question

ok i drive a '93 Toyota Camry, the problem is that the brakes become too long when you're stopped and pressing down on them
for exmple at traffic lights, i come to a stop and then the pedal softens up until i have it floored and it's barely stopping the car
but it was even worse after school today, it wouldn't even brake unless i stomped it down all the way-and it would take a lot to bring it to a stop.....my dad drove it home and said it was better
i checked the brake fluid and it was nearly full-just refilled it a bit.....also the car was stopped for about a week b/c i got rear ended-and i did notice the change when leaving-but it wasn't as bad as it is now....and i'm sure they didn't mess with it since all the work was in the rear
any ideas? thx

could it be because it didn't move while it was in the shop?

Answer 1

I don't know what extent of work was done to the rear of the car. Assuming that something the repair shop did has not caused the problem, you have three possibilities here - 1) You have air entrapped in the brake lines somewhere. You can fix this by bleeding the brakes - unless you are familiar with this, I would take it to a shop. 2) Your master cylinder is bleeding within itself which will cause the problem you describe - replace the master cylinder and bleed the brakes. 3) You have a wheel cylinder / cylinders leaking profusely - this will be evident because of obvious oily areas running down the wheels. If this is the case, replace the cylinder.
Now through all this verbage, I am betting on #1 or #2. Good luck.

Answer 2

If there's no brake fluid leaking and the brake fluid is full, I'd suspect you need a new "master brake cylinder". When you open the hood, it's the thing that's connected to that flying saucer shaped disk on the firewall right under the driver's side windshield area. It will probably be about a $250 job to replace it.

Answer 3

If you had to refill it you must be losing fluid somewhere. Someone needs to look at the lines and the brake cylinders or calipers on the wheels to find the leak. They definitely could have caused it when the were wroking on the rear by not tightening a fitting or something.

Answer 4

You need to make sure they purged the break lines. If there is any air in the system pressure(what causes resistance when you press the brake) will not be able to build correctly. While your car is off, press the brake pedal down repeatedly in 1-2 second intervals, this should help your situation if indeed your system was not purged or was not done correctly.

Answer 5

You have a leak somewhere or there is air in the lines....either way it needs to be fixed.....It could be the master cylinder......If that is the case, if you are a do it yuor selfer, go to the parts house an buy a master cylinder and put it on....make for sure you bleed the lines of all the air...


Good luck

Answer 6

You need to bleed your brakes and adjust the tension on the rear brakes so the shoes are closer to your drums. Just gotta make sure that the shoes is not rubbing against the drum.

Answer 7

either your brake lines are no good (ie the rubber expands when the get too much pressure) or you have air in the brake line. Either way, take it to a shop and have it inspected.

Answer 8

Air trapped in your brake lines
you probably need to bleed the brakes

Answer 9

yeah pump it a little will help loads
but wont fix the problem, you have a fluid leak or air problem

Answer 10

Have it bled properly and presto....no more soft brake.