97 Rav4 - Soft brakes - Car Troubleshooting


	Auto Repair Home	SEARCH POSTS	WHO'S ONLINE	LOG IN

Automotive Repair

Car Troubleshooting Topics
  Car Troubleshooting
  Engine Troubleshooting
  Engine Fault Codes
  Electrical and Wiring
  Transmission Problems

Car Repair Topics
  Car Making Noises
  Car Stereo Repair
  Heating or AC Issues
  Motorcycles and ATVs
  Tricks of the Trade
  Truck Repair Advice

Site Options:
  Login
  Sign up here!

Latest Forum Post

1989 toyota pickup 3.0 crank no start

I have a 1989 toyota pickup 3.0 crank no...

Strut spring orientation and strut mount tension nut

2017 Nissan rogue awd 2.5 L Put in Monro...

Transmission stuck in part, I have tried everything

So I'm working on my elderly fathers 201...

2017 dodge journey LED headlights on/off randomly

Year of vehicle 2017 Make of vehicle dod...

Kia Soul starter replacement issues!

Okay so my car is a 2010 Kia soul 2.0 en...

Please Help - Knock sound & engine fail

Hi all, Hoping to get some insight and ...

multiple warning lights

2013 GMC Terrain 130,000 miles 4 cylinde...

03 alero no low speed blower

Good day everyone, I have a 2003 Olds a...

04 Chevy 2500hd tail light issues

Help!!! I have changed my combo switch...

1999 Grand Caravan Sport not starting.

Hi. I'm new here. I hope someone can hel...

97 Rav4 - Soft brakes

Sign up here!

Search for (search options)

Auto Repair Home>> Automotive Repair>> Car Troubleshooting

freakshow54
Novice

Feb 16, 2006, 4:30 PM

Post #1 of 3 (2485 views)

97 Rav4 - Soft brakes	Sign In

I recently replaced my front brakes in my 97 Rav4, and noticed that nearly half of my brake stroke was required before the pads began to compress on the rotor. The second half of my stroke felt about normal. I bled the brakes to no avail. What can I do to make my brakes respond earlier in the stroke?

Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Feb 16, 2006, 9:06 PM

Post #2 of 3 (2482 views)

Re: 97 Rav4 - Soft brakes	Sign In

If not bled properly you may have some air in there?? Also new brakes don't feel their best right away but half travel on you brake pedal doesn't sound right.

Just for ideas: Bleed brakes again. It's also possible that in doing so the master cylinder got trashed but you didn't state the classic symptoms of that. T

PS: A master cylinder is a finely bored hole with seals that only travels so far until you bleed brakes or a failure. When those seals may go into a crusty area they can fail. Usually you get a fading brake pedal if this has happened.

DanD
Veteran / Moderator
DanD profile image

Feb 17, 2006, 10:44 AM

Post #3 of 3 (2475 views)

Re: 97 Rav4 - Soft brakes	Sign In

If the brake pedal was fine before you replaced the pads and you didn’t open the hydraulic system then there shouldn’t be any air in the system to worry about.
If the rotors were not replaced, they should have been machined that’s so the new pads have a smooth surface to wear into.
I made some notes on this diagram if you didn’t do them that could be where your problem is.
Dan

Canadian "EH"

Search for (options) Privacy Sitemap