Brake Pedal Issue After Suspension Lift

Hi all, i was finally able to get my lift completed a couple weekends ago. The suspension setup includes Bilstein 5100s (set on first notch) with OME 887 coils and Headstrong 1/4" driver-side spacer up front and Bilstein 5160s, Headstrong 3 AAL (with no overload) in the rear. Also completed the ECGS clamshell bushing upgrade in the driver's side axle/differential.

Following the suspension upgrade, which rides so much better now and no more tire rub on my mud flaps, i noticed that my brake pedal pressure is no longer the same or consistent. There are ocassions where i have to push my brake pedal pretty far to the floor and it is soft. When this happens, i pump the brake pedal a few times to try to regain pressure. There are also ocassions where the brake pedal feels fine but it is no longer consistent and the same as before the lift.

I've inspected around to see if any brake lines were kinked, stretched too much, or if any brake fluid was leaking and noticed no such issues. I checked the brake fluid reservoir and it is still at the same capacity it was before.

I have a 2017 TRD Sport 4x4 DLBC and noticed that there is a recall for 2018 and 2019 Tacomas for a seal on the master cylinder that may become damaged and leak brake fluid. Although, my truck was manufactured in late 2016.

I don't know what the issue is and looking for any suggestions that anyone may have or if anyone has experienced something similar after doing their suspension lift/upgrade.

 

Zero point recalibration?

 

Not familiar with this, but looked it up. Is this something that can only be performed at a Toyota dealership?

 

Yes. Or you can do it with the jumper method.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/can-techstream-do-zero-point-calibration.576000/#post-20026752

 

Does anyone else have any thoughts before i try the zero point recalibration?

 

One thought... Did you look at soft (rubber) brake lines, while someone else applied brake pedal pressure? To see if you have a bad one (bulged) from being over stretched.

 

I have not, but i can test that after work today. It was just a one-person visual and touch (feeling for any leaks and making sure there was slack in the brake lines) inspection that i did.

 

There is two possibilities I can think of. One is if you removed your brake calibers you somehow twisted a brake line. Two is when you let the brake line stretch when lowering the suspension, you inadvertently got an air bubble that is causing your issue. I would inspect your front brake lines close and look for a twist or a slight oil spot on the ends.

 

So a friend and I looked it all over again. Most of the brake lines are hard lines. Not a whole lot of rubber lines. We couldn't find any issues with the brake lines.

The pedal does fade all the way to the floor so I just dropped it off at the dealership. It's still under warranty so gonna let them figure it out. I had to do a night drop since service department was closed but I went inside and still talked to them about it. They said they likely won't be able to get to it until Monday.

 

Good luck getting it covered under warranty. Let us know how it turns out.

 

Thanks, it's only got just over 8,300 miles on it.

My friend thinks it's a defective master cylinder.

 

Hope all goes well. Brake issues scare me. Usually I upgrade the whole brake systems on all my vehicles once they get older

 

Update: Talked to the Toyota dealer today, since my truck didn't get looked at until today. They said the tech drove it around and noticed the issue where the pedal would go to the floor at one stop and then not not so far at another stop. Which is why i thought it was a very inconsistent pedal since the lift. They said the tech discovered that fluid was leaking inside the brake booster and they are going to order a new brake booster and master cylinder to replace it all.

So glad it is warranty related!

 

Update: The truck is finally back in my posession after nearly a week. I have a nice firm...brake pedal again

 

Thanks for the update