Here's a new one...No brakes!

So it warmed up to 15 today, so I pulled the Tacoma (2011, V6, auto, 2700 miles) out so I could thaw out another rig. I get done and swap the vehicles back around. Cranked the Tacoma, backed it up 40 feet, into drive and pulled in to the garage. Just about there so I pushed on the brake, but stopped short, so I just eased the foot off the brake to go another foot or so. When I get there I push down on the pedal, but it's hard as a rock and no response...so I slam into my kid's f-in tool box, which is bent to heck, and also took out a lightforce...WTH???

 

Wow! Frozen brake lines/components?? How long had the Taco been sitting, at what temp?

 

I had an 06 do a weird brake thing like this. I was at a stop light tapping the brake to the music. After about the eighth tap the pedal got hard and did not work.

 

It had only been out about 4 hours, it was about 15* when I put it out, but got warmer. Heck it's been out at work for 11 hours at a time, and we just got over 2 weeks of -40s. I wonder if it has anything to do with it still being at high idle??

 

Did you hear the abs run its self check?

BTW the freezing point of brake fluid is about -40f. Could have been freezing brake hardware, but it would have to be on all four brakes to not allow the vehicle to stop at all.

 

Did you hear the abs run its self check?

Nope. Just the pedal was rock hard. After I got stopped by the toolbox the f-in pedal was fine.

 

All I know is that I do not tap on the brakes anymore even though the techo tells me to.

 

Damn, this is scary, good thing you were not going faster when it happened! Subbed to learn of the outcome though, I have a 11 and want to know if this is something I need to worry about!

 

Hit the emergency brakes and drop it to L weird problem.

 

What type are the newer Taco's using? 3, 4, 5 or 5.1? 5 shouldn't have freezing problems.

Wiki info.

Glycol-ether/dot three/dot four/dot five point one brake fluids are hygroscopic (water absorbing), which means they absorb moisture from the atmosphere under normal humidity levels. Non-hygroscopic fluids (e.g. silicone/DOT 5-based formulations), are hydrophobic, and can maintain an acceptable boiling point over the fluid's service life, although at the cost of potential phase separation/water pooling and freezing/boiling in the system over time - the main reason single phase hygroscopic fluids are used.

Most automotive professionals agree that glycol-based brake fluid, (DOT 3, DOT 4, DOT 5.1) should be flushed, or changed, every 1–2 years.[2] Many manufacturers also require periodic fluid changes to ensure reliability and safety. Once installed, moisture diffuses into the fluid through brake hoses and rubber seals and, eventually, the fluid will have to be replaced when the water content becomes too high. Electronic testers and test strips are commercially available to measure moisture content. The corrosion inhibitors also degrade over time. New fluid should always be stored in a sealed container to avoid moisture intrusion.


Here are some Ideas
http://forums.maxima.org/fluids-lubricants/579563-brake-fluid-low-freezing-points.html

 

Worked fine ever since, no problems coming to work?

Can't blame the TX rims...lol...they came off in November for some steelies with winter tires!!!

 

It is going to run dot 3. Dot 4 is used is sports cars like the corvette. Dot 4 service intervals are around 2 years. Dot 3 should be changed every 5-8 years. Master ASE certified tech And a AAS degree in Automotive technology. Just FYI

 

I think it may be more of an issue with ABS than fluid and cold temp. Remember tapping/pumping the brakes on ABS can do weird things and I have heard of stiff pedal from this. Could be when you stopped once and fell short then let up to creep forward affected the ABS. Just a thought...

 

can't you turn off ABS?

 

I'm thinking Fodder hit on what could've happened. The truck ran fine today, but you can bet your ass I eased it into the garage tonight...easy on the gas/brake and hand on the shifter ready to go neutral! You know how things happen fast like that, and I've played it over an over...I was standing on the brake as hard as I could while it was still rolling. It had to be the ABS screwing up...maybe shut it off before parking it inside. Really not happy with this...when/if will it happen again? Not a good feeling "bringing her in" anymore.

 

You could do the abs mod so you can turn it off when you want to.

 

That Wiki article is saying to change it every 1 to 2 years for dot 3? You think that is too much?




And for anybody that does not know, don't get brake fluid on your paint. Its the only fluid on the truck that will strip paint.

 

I don't care what wiki says. Dot 3 does not contaminate nearly as fast as dot 4 does. I flush my system about every 5 years or 70,000 miles. I have never seen an issue out of it. Also, for future reference, dot 3,4,5 the numbers are pretty much like boiling points.