Toyota Tacoma brakes

[sld]

ABS signals operate within a pretty narrow band to detect wheel slippage. Are the cogs / sprockets accessible on the rear wheels to inspect and possibly clean? Are they really rusty? Missing a tooth? Damaged wiring to a sensor? Who knows?

You been drinking alot? just kidding...

 

[HHR]

When I attempt to find the source of a spongy brake problem, I usually clamp off (carefully) the rear flexible rubber line(s) and test drive around the yard to see if problem persists. If no change, I move clamps to front and perform same test.

Some Toyota trucks and SUVs had special proportioning valves that varied the brake force to the rear based on rear suspension height (payload). These valves also had a bleeder valve.

 

[TMGT]

Doesn't sound to uncommon after a highway run for some vehicles. After extended periods of travel without using the brakes the pistons can become retracted into the caliper more then usual, especially if the rotor has a bit of warpage or movement in and out.

Wet conditions seem to have a greater effect, also the brakes are usually pretty cool after a trip and also reduce braking efficiency. My Corolla is provably the worst of my vehicles about this.

 

[Spindifferent]

Maybe the Tacoma World folks can help: https://www.tacomaworld.com/forums/2nd-gen-tacomas-2005-2015.5/

Check to see if there are any service bulletins or recall programs: Toyota Owners Official Web Site

Lastly, take it to a dealer for diagnostics.

Have been very happy with my '13 Tacoma PreRunner.

 

[truckdiagnostics]

Thinking out load again. If the brakes are mushy right now/still. Then it sure sounds like you got air in the lines. The ABS just goes along for the ride until there is an event, so I find it hard to believe that is it. If it was mine I would pressure bleed it to see if they got any better, if they did then I would go looking for what caused it. I however have a pressure bleeder. Also, bleeding some vehicle with abs requires pressure bleeding. FYI, parents have Toyota Camry had mushy pedal since new.

 

[Trials]

I still think that once you have ruled out all the obvious brake things to check which should have been caught with the annual inspection, look to the power assist as being the culprit, I believe your vehicle likely has drum rear brakes and vacuum assist as described in the following: Diagnose Power Brakes

 

[Creamer]

My first though is a leaky master cylinder - that sounds like a normal symptom for that condition.

 

[nickc]

I would guess that there is air in the system, I've seen quite a few of these vehicles in the shop. On the Tacoma, there is a specific bleed procedure that needs to be performed with a bi-directional scan tool that will command the abs pump on to bleed each wheel individually. using an old school pressure bleeder just pushes the air around, not out. you can foot bleed that vehicle until your blue in the face-with no luck. my recommendation would be to have a local shop do it. Anyone with an adequate scanner can do it. (It's listed on the function test on the snap-on solus) Good luck.--nick

 

[Rustyiron]

I'll have to bleed the system, I just don't understand the "all of a sudden" air in the system. One minute (driving to & getting on the highway) everything was fine, then 30 minutes later, (getting off the highway) a soft pedal. And having wifey help bleed the brakes, well last time, it wasn't pretty!:laughing:
This morning, I was leaning towards a master cylinder problem, makes sence, spongy pedal with no loss of fluid and visible leaks, so I called NAPA and the guy said that they "as a company" don't stock them. I'm guessing that means the whole north east region. Then I called a smaller local (20 or so stores), they don't even have a part # or price, and have never sold one! That pretty much tells me that they don't go bad. I don't ever remember replacing 1 M/C on any of my vehicles over the past 35 years.
It's starting to look like I may need to bust out the wallet for a real hired "wrench".

 

[Coyote machine]

I would guess that there is air in the system, I've seen quite a few of these vehicles in the shop. On the Tacoma, there is a specific bleed procedure that needs to be performed with a bi-directional scan tool that will command the abs pump on to bleed each wheel individually. using an old school pressure bleeder just pushes the air around, not out. you can foot bleed that vehicle until your blue in the face-with no luck. my recommendation would be to have a local shop do it. Anyone with an adequate scanner can do it. (It's listed on the function test on the snap-on solus) Good luck.--nick

I agree with this thought process. Have the brake booster to master cylinder interface checked too. Sometimes when a master cylinder begins leaking it will do so at the rear most seal, where it's attached to the vacuum booster (drum shaped unit). They will either leak where the fluid runs down the underside of the booster/master connection or on the inside of the booster where the only way to verify is to disconnect the two pieces and look for a leaking rear seal.
But, I would first try draining and refilling the entire brake system by proper bleeding technique. Here's why. 45K miles; if the brake fluid has never been changed would be a good time to renew the entire system with fresh fluid of the correct brand and specks for your Toyota model and year.
Brake fluid absorbs moisture, moisture condenses and also is compressible unlike clean brake fluid, thus leading to symptoms like squishy pedal feel. AND water/moisture in the fluid will boil on hard braking, resulting in brake fade, etc.
So with clean brake fluid a marginal seal will sometime shortly thereafter fail due to correct pressures inside the system being restored, or contaminants being flushed out. Either way clean fresh fluid is a good place for one to start, especially since you aren't familiar with the prior 45K mile service records, correct?

I say all of the above from having owned and run a foreign auto service and repair/sales shop here in VT. What with all the mountain climbing nearby we did a huge amount of brake work.
Now my personal experience with a 1998 extended cab Tacoma and a 2003 Tacoma double cab, both 4x4 and equipped with drum rear brakes/ABS, and cabs on the beds is that their brakes were not particularly impressive. Now the 3 Forerunners, I've had, a 2007, 2011, and current 2015 model have much better brakes, BUT they all have 4 wheel discs, instead of the Tacoma rear drums.
So, get it checked out for safety of the entire braking system by someone ASE certified, who has the correct brake bleeding and diagnostic tools to do the job.
Post back results....