I've got little to no brake pressure in my 93 Celica GTS and need help, please!

Tiny
CTGRIFFI
  • MEMBER
  • 1993 TOYOTA CELICA
  • 19,500 MILES
Background: I've only had this 93 Celica GTS Liftback for about 6 weeks and, so far, I've had to replace the distributor, the clutch slave cylinder, the rear struts, and the brake master cylinder. Parking brake linkage needed some work, too, and I'm thinking it needs new calipers/rotors/pads all around, as well as front struts. (Wife is wondering if I bought a lemon, but I told her that lemons don't make it to the ripe, old age of 19. Right?)

After I completed the rear strut work, I had to reconnect the rear brake lines and bleed the system. Halfway through the bleed process, something happened (?) And whenever the pedal was released (after being held down) I could hear a small whistling, sucking noise. I could never get good, solid pressure at the pedal after that. Driving around the neighborhood, the pedal will just continue down to the floor and the car will slowly come to a stop after a few seconds. Not safe to drive, obviously.

The brake master cylinder didn't look very old, but I went ahead and replaced it last night. Which didn't change a **** thing. Pedal still won't maintain pressure. Does this sound like I've got a blown line somewhere? How can I find it? I can't pinpoint where the whistling sound is coming from, and I don't see fluid spraying out anywhere, either. Please help!

(Car is all stock, as far as I can tell, and does have ABS. Calipers all look like original '93 Toyota parts.)
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Wednesday, February 15th, 2012 AT 9:01 PM

5 Replies

Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
If its a 4 disc brake system-bleed the master cylinder and than rebleed the system and also check the ABS unit
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Wednesday, February 15th, 2012 AT 9:46 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
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Check the calipers for stuck slider bolts and pistons.
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Wednesday, February 15th, 2012 AT 10:03 PM
Tiny
CTGRIFFI
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Rasmataz: Yes, it is a 4 disc system, and I did a thorough bench-bleed on the MC before I installed it last night. Then, I bled all four wheels again (didn't see much air in the lines, if any). Didn't help at all.

What should I check on the ABS unit? It's one scary-looking, complicated device.

KHLow2008: I will pull the calipers and take a good look at 'em. I'd really like to just replace all the rotors/calipers, but I need to hold off a bit on that.

THANK YOU!
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Wednesday, February 15th, 2012 AT 10:11 PM
Tiny
CTGRIFFI
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FIXED!

I pulled all the calipers to look 'em over and grease the pins, etc. When I got to the RR caliper, it was totally froze up! I removed it, cleaned it, and greased everything with caliper lubricant.

Then, wife and I bled the entire system again (bunch of creamy white air bubbles came out), and took it for a test-drive. Brakes work better than ever again, and the rear-end feels great, thanks to the new KYB struts.
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Friday, February 17th, 2012 AT 5:14 AM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,815 POSTS
Glad to know you have the problem fixed.

Have a great day.
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Friday, February 17th, 2012 AT 12:02 PM

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