We ended up with no brakes

Tiny
CHEVYCRUISERGIRL
  • MEMBER
  • 1988 TOYOTA LANDCRUISER
We replaced our front brake pads as they were start to get worn down. We only opened the calipers wide enough to slip the old pads out and the new ones in. Then we bled the lines until there was no air bubbles, but we ended up with no brakes. We then replaced the master cylinder and the booster, and once again bled them so many times I can't remember and finally got some pressure in the pedal but once the car is started now the pedal just about goes to the floor. The car will stop but the pedal is probably about 1 inch off the floor ( this is when only doing about 40 - 50 km per hour). We have taken the front wheels off and spun the rotors the put our foot on the brake and the pads are closing and stopping the rotor. Please help.
Monday, September 12th, 2011 AT 5:15 AM

3 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Check to make sure there are no leaks. Check the rubber brake hoses to the calipers to make sure they are not expanding when the brakes are applied. Properly adjust the rear brakes. When bleeding the brakes, start at the wheel farthest from the master cylinder and work your way to the closest. Finally, remove the master cylinder and check to see if the push rod that goes into the master cylinder is adjustable. If it is, adjust it out about 1/2 inch at a time until you get a firm pedal.
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Wednesday, April 14th, 2021 AT 2:19 PM
Tiny
CHEVYCRUISERGIRL
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Hey there me again,
We have now also replaced the rear drums and shoes and the wheel cylinders and are still having the problem of bleeding the brakes till there is no air in lines, and we are getting a really good pedal, but once we turn the car on the pedal goes nearly to the floor and the car is stopping but you have to pump it a few times. We also have no handbrake. When we took the shoes and drums off the back, on the driver side the automatic adjustment lever (i think that is what it is called is not there) could this be a part of the problem, although until we replaced the front disc the brakes where fine.
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Wednesday, April 14th, 2021 AT 2:19 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
The self adjuster is a is round, threaded, has a star shaped wheel on it. If that is missing, the brake shoes have no support at the bottom and will basically just collapse and yes, the pedal will go very low. Didn't you replace it?
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Wednesday, April 14th, 2021 AT 2:19 PM

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