Touchy Brake Pedal

[ah197331 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close ah197331]

Hi,

I've done a huge amount of searching, but haven't found anything along the lines of my issue of touchy brakes. Here's my background:

I've just purchased a 2005 VX Petrol (ABS, DSC etc), with 200,000km. It has a reasonably good service history, being serviced at toyota dealerships from what I can see. The vehicle is mainly standard, with the exception of 265/70 Cooper RT'3 (taller than standard).

I'm not sure if Prado's generally have touchy brakes, as I have only driven the one I bought, but I would consider the brakes to be overly touchy. It only takes a slight amount of brake pedal pressure to pull up the car at a reasonably rapid rate. It almost seems to me like it is getting excessive assist from the booster unit. I assume that the petrol and the diesel share the same electronic vacuum pump, which make a slight noise when the vac levels drop below a certain level.

Can anyone make any suggestions, or just tell me that the Prado brakes are generally touchy?

Just for a bit more info: I had to do a fairly rapid stop today, and the ABS kicked in, after a small amount of lockup, then, after I naturally lifted my foot slightly, it took quite a bit more pedal pressure, and an excessive amount of time (relatively speaking) to get it to come to a stop. Seemed a bit strange to me.

Thanks

Andrew

[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

Hi,


Can anyone make any suggestions, or just tell me that the Prado brakes are generally touchy?

Thanks

Andrew

Prado brakes are normally in the sluggish category rather than touchy. Plenty of guys here that have upgraded brakes looking for better performance.

Cheers Andrew

[ah197331 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close ah197331]

Thanks Andrew,

Does anyone elese have any suggestions regarding the source of a touchy brake pedal?

Andrew

[Bazza Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Bazza]

As Andrew mentioned, 120 Prado's are not known for great breaking. As an owner, I concider it the only major problem with the 120's. As a start, I would suggest that you get the brake system flushed and new fluid, and also have your ABS checked out.
Bazza

[Steve M Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve M]

What I have found after having 3 prado's is the ones with Traction Control, Stability control etc have highly touchy brakes as the brake booster is a different set up to just normal brakes even with ABS. I only have ABS on this prado so I only have the big black booster under the bonnet, the other one is the traction, stability type which has its own pump and is the clear type of system, these I have found to be super sensative. Just a slight touch of the pedal will want to throw you through the windscreen and I believe the 150's are even more sensative. Drive a 120 like mine with just normal booster and ABS and they definately are not as effective. If I can find a picture of the two different types I will post ..............Cheers Steve

[Steve M Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve M]

[IMG][/IMG]

[IMG][/IMG]
You can see the two different types of boosters on the rear fire wall on drivers side.......Cheers Steve

[ah197331 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close ah197331]

Thanks for the comments and pics Steve,

That's interesting to hear. I have the VX, with the electric vac pump, so It may be just inherent of the traction / stability equipped system.

Andrew

[MDS69 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close MDS69]

I was reading the first few replies in this thread and was thinking my 120 has touchy brakes compared to my MN Triton and couldn't agree with Bazza and Andrews experiences until I got to Steve's reply. My 120 GXL had Option Pack 1 so TRC etc so the same as a VX.

[Steve M Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve M]

[IMG][/IMG]
This is a bit better close up of the unit that has its own pump and is very touchy. The other type is typical of alot of systems without traction, stability. As mentioned ABS is available with the older black booster style set up (like the first picture in previous reply) but NOT stability or traction. hope this makes sense......Cheers Steve