Issue with Brakes

So recently I noticed my pedal going farther down that usual when I push the pedal when breaking , when I let off and re press the pedal it feels like a “normal” pedal . Then next time while I’m drive it does the same thing , feels mushy on the first press & I let off and it feels “normal” again .

2007 Taco , V6 , stock breaks . The fronts I replaced approx 2000 miles ago (Oem pads and rotors) and the drums were replaced approx 30k ago .
The drums were done at a local shop with parts that they sourced .

any info I miss ?

 

Is your master cylinder full? If not check for leaks around it or at the back of the drums.

 

Yea master cylinder is full (allitle over the max mark actually ) I will check the backs of the drums …. Thanks

 

Definitely bleed dem bad bois

 

maybe there is air in the system
maybe the pads are not that good or a brake bedding procedure has not been performed to improve their feel after new install.
Square cut seals in the caliper retract the piston. The pad might come off the rotor.
The first press takes up that gap by pushing it closer to the rotor. By the time if you do a second press, you're starting out with the pad at a closer distance to bite the rotor, therefore less pedal travel needed.

Same reason why race car drivers pump the brakes before a big stop. To get those pads closer to the rotor prior to a hard brake so they can fully use the pedal.
Runout can also knock the bad back into the caliper. If the rotor wobbles a bit, over speed that can also push the pad farther back.

 

check your front wheel bearings.

 

How's your parking brake? Rear drums could need adjustment

 

This is what I would check First before doing anything else.

 

Yea ? Maybe my rear isn’t adjusting you think huh … what can I use to “lube” it ? Just never seize?

 

FWIW.....Never seize is not a lubricant. If you are using lube on brakes, you need to use a HIGH temperature product developed for BRAKES.

I have no idea how to solve a 'breaking' problem. Although I try to avoid breaking things. Just last night I broke a piece of trim while fitting a single gang outlet box. Fortunately, I was able to use a bit of high strength adhesive to eliminate the break.

 

If all you are doing is lubing the adjuster.
A small packet of Brake parts Lube will work.
https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/american-grease-stick-co-cerami-glyde-silicone-brake-lubricant-pouch-4-g-cm-1a/11954917-p

I usually get the tube size, that way I have plenty to the rest of the components too.
And you can put the cap back on the tube and use it again later.

 

.
Clean and lubricate as suggested by TnShooter. Then adjust as I posted above as per the service manual.

 

In my experience a soft pedal (1st press) than normal pedal feeling (2nd press) isn’t an adjustment issue. I would be looking for air getting into the lines. Check for dampness around the master cylinder. Another common spot is the rear wheel cylinder to start leaking. I know you said the fluid is full but it doesn’t take much air to start causing problems.

 

OP has not stated how many miles on the truck. I mis-diagnosed a soft pedal as what you described on my truck a few years ago. Now granted, it could be that, but what it was in my case is the front bearings were shot, and the wheel "wobble" was causing the front calipers to retract if you don't use the brakes for a while. Then all of the sudden getting off an exit on the highway and my pedal would be mush until I depressed a second time and all was normal again. It would only happen for extended periods of not using the brakes so I never put 2 and 2 together because sometimes the brakes had pressure on the first try. It took the bearing finally falling apart and melting my speed sensor to figure that out LOL

 

127k on the truck

 

Parking break feels normal

 

It just started with a “humming” type noise that this morning , sounds sorta like a rock stuck in the tire tread but worse.….last week when I had the truck in the air one wheel spun pretty freely and the other had some drag on it and didn’t spin as freely . This could be the problem !

 

When I get outta work tonite I’ll jack it up and see if I have any wheel wobble … I do feel some wheel wobble in the steering wheel. Kinda like a tire is out of balance maybe . Hard to describe

 

Passenger side wheel bearing shot

 

"Brake": A brake is a mechanical device that inhibits motion by absorbing energy from a moving system. It is used for slowing or stopping a moving vehicle, wheel, axle, or to prevent its motion, most often accomplished by means of friction. "My truck has disc brakes up front, drum brakes out back."

"Break": separate or cause to separate into pieces as a result of a blow, shock, or strain. "Break me off a piece of that Kit Kat bar."