Squishy Brake Pedal - Fixed!!

Hi -

I had my Taco in at dealer in Beaverton, OR for the 15k service. One of the components was the adjustment of the rear brakes. Finally, no more squishy brake pedal.

 

So what did they adjust? How would you explain this to a different dealer when working on a different truck to get the same fix?

 

Good!

 

Ask them to check the rear shoe adjustment (star wheel).

I'm not sure if this applies to the newer trucks - but sometimes if you drive in reverse and step on the brakes a few times (firm), they're supposed to self adjust.

 

kinda weird seeing this now. i was just saying to myself lastnight my breaks seem kinda mushy

 

Yeah, y da Fok wooden dey adj demselves(whispers...adj demselves)

 

Mine seem to adjust on their own pretty well..

 

mine 2......

 

My postulation is this: perhaps they were set a little loose at the factory, and because they were originally loose, the self adjustment was chasing a moving target and the gap remained constant.

 

Reverse and step on the brakes firm a few times seem to work for me as well. I do this twice every oil change (5k miles). I just did this the other night. Now I notice that I rear brakes help slow the truck to a stop instead of that heavy front dip feeling.

 

i was almost starting to think i needed to get some better brakes ill have to try the reverse thing. how fast do u go? and is it like lock em up stop

 

I have had mine to the dealership 4x and they claim there is no fix. I believe the 4x4s have different brakes. My 4x2 has 'vacuum assisted' brakes and they are variable, mushy and the pedal will travel to the floor if I push it steadily. They are particularly bad when I have my trailer under tow.

 

when my fourwheeler is inthe back my brakes f-ing BLOW.....

 

I know on other cars the "self-adjusters" don't always self adjust. Jack the rear up, and put a straight screwdriver in the adjustment hole and tighten it up. Spin the wheel every couple clicks, and make sure it stills rolls with some resistance. Adjusting rear drum brakes up will give you a higher, tighter pedal feel.

 

2nd gens adjust with the ebrake I believe. meaning instead of driving in reverse like some other cars, this one "adjusts" when you set your ebrake.

 

huh

 

Service told me there is no self-adjusting mechanism. Not that it makes it so..

 

My brakes were mushy and didn't feel like they gripped well. I just replaced my brake lines with goodridge ss brake lines and OMG it made a huge difference. Ask anyone who has replaced their brake lines and they will tell you it's worth every penny. I'm starting a group buy, check out the link in my signature.

 

Just did my rotors and pads on 2nd gen and breaks still feel soft. I'm a valet driver so I drive tacomas all the time. And my breaks feel gross to some tacomas I drive. It stops on a dime but the peddle feels to go to the floor if weight is still being put on it. Break lines have no leaks and booster look fine. I have no clue what to do

 

Do this to adjust the rear brake shoe clearance:

From the Shop Manual: http://www.customtacos.com/tech.old.../06toyrm/06toypdf/06rmsrc/rm2006ta/042010.pdf

ADJUST REAR DRUM BRAKE SHOE CLEARANCE

(a) Provisionally install the hub nuts.

(b) Remove the hole plug, and turn the adjuster to expand the shoe until the drum locks.

(c) Using a screwdriver, release the adjuster 15 notches.

(d) Install the hole plug.