I have to press my brakes all the way down in order to stop

NOAH BURTON

MEMBER
2007 TOYOTA RAV4
2.5L
V6
4WD
AUTOMATIC
200,000 MILES

Hi, my brakes are super loose I have to press my brakes all the way down in order to stop
I recently replaced all the brake pads about 2 weeks ago, about 2 years ago I did the brake pads, the rotors, and one caliper as there was a brake fluid leak coming from it

one of the calipers did touch the rotor for about 50 miles so it is ground down slightly (The cylinder part of the caliper) I have no idea if that affects anything. Also my brakes don't get stiff when pumping up the brakes

1 Reply

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
108,192 POSTS

Hi, Noah.

Are there leaks presently? If there are no leaks and the brake fluid is full, I suspect the brake master cylinder has failed. Take a look through this link:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/brake-pedal-goes-to-the-floor

Please confirm there are no leaks and the MC is full of brake fluid. If it is and there are no leaks, replace the MC.

Here is a link that explains how it is done in general:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-a-brake-master-cylinder

____________________________

Here are the directions specific to your vehicle for replacement. The attached pictures correlate with the directions.

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2007 Toyota Truck RAV4 4WD V6-3.5L (2GR-FE)
Removal and Replacement
Vehicle Brakes and Traction Control Hydraulic System Brake Master Cylinder Service and Repair Removal and Replacement
REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT
BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER

COMPONENTS (Part 1)

pic 1

COMPONENTS (Part 2)

pic 2

REMOVAL

NOTICE:
The master cylinder and piston are designed so that the piston can easily fall out. Prevent this by making sure that the tip of the master cylinder points downward when handling the master cylinder.
Make sure foreign matter does not attach to the master cylinder's piston. If foreign matter attaches, clean it off with a cloth. Then apply lithium soap base glycol grease to the entire outer circumference contact surface area of the piston.

1. REMOVE AIR CLEANER CASE SUB-ASSEMBLY (for 2AZ-FE)
(a) Remove the air cleaner case.

HINT: Refer to the procedures from the removal of the purge VSV up until the removal of the air cleaner case.

2. REMOVE AIR CLEANER CASE
(a) Remove the air cleaner case.

HINT: Refer to the procedures from the removal of the air cleaner cap sub-assembly up until the removal of the air cleaner case.

3. DRAIN BRAKE FLUID

NOTICE: Wash off brake fluid immediately if it comes in contact with any painted surface.

4. REMOVE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER SUB-ASSEMBLY
(a) Release the vacuum pressure in the brake booster as follows.
(1) Stop the engine.
(2) Depress the brake pedal several times.

pic 3

(b) Disconnect the brake fluid level warning switch connector labeled A.
(c) Using SST, disconnect the 2 brake lines labeled B from the master cylinder.
SST 09023-00101

pic 4

(d) Remove the 2 nuts.
(e) Pull out the master cylinder from the brake booster.

NOTICE:
The master cylinder and piston are designed so that the piston can easily fall out. Prevent this by making sure that the tip of the master cylinder points downward when handling the master cylinder.
Make sure foreign matter does not attach to the master cylinder's piston. If foreign matter attaches, clean it off with a cloth. Then apply lithium soap base glycol grease to the entire outer circumference contact surface area of the piston.

(f) Remove the O-ring from the master cylinder.

INSTALLATION
1. INSTALL BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER SUB-ASSEMBLY

NOTICE:
The master cylinder and piston are designed so that the piston can easily fall out. Prevent this by making sure that the tip of the master cylinder points downward when handling the master cylinder.
Make sure foreign matter does not attach to the master cylinder's piston. If foreign matter attaches, clean it off with a cloth. Then apply lithium soap base glycol grease to the entire outer circumference contact surface area of the piston.

(a) Install a new O-ring to the master cylinder.

pic 5

(b) Install the master cylinder to the booster with the 2 nuts.
Torque: 12.5 Nm (127 kgf-cm, 9 ft. lbs.)

pic 6

(c) Using SST, connect the 2 brake lines labeled B to the master cylinder.
SST 09023-00101
Torque:
15.2 Nm (155 kgf-cm, 11 ft. lbs.) without SST
14 Nm (144 kgf-cm, 10 ft. lbs.) with SST

HINT: Use a torque wrench with a fulcrum length of 30 cm (11.81 inch).

(d) Connect the brake fluid level warning switch connector labeled A to the master cylinder.
2. FILL RESERVOIR WITH BRAKE FLUID
3. BLEED AIR FROM BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER
4. BLEED AIR FROM BRAKE LINE
5. BLEED AIR FROM ABS AND TRACTION ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY
6. CHECK BRAKE FLUID LEVEL IN RESERVOIR
7. INSPECT FOR BRAKE FLUID LEAK
8. INSTALL AIR CLEANER CASE SUB-ASSEMBLY
(a) Install the air cleaner case.

HINT: Refer to the procedures from the installation of the air cleaner case up until the installation of the purge VSV.

9. INSTALL AIR CLEANER CASE (for 2GR-FE)
(a) Install the air cleaner case.

HINT: Refer to the procedures from the installation of the air cleaner case up until the installation of the air cleaner cap sub-assembly.

______________________________________

Let me know if this helps or if you have other questions.

Take care,
Joe

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