My 01 solara‘s brake feels weird. I think I need to bleed the brakes. But before I do so, I want to see if I‘m right. The brake initially requires pretty much no effort to press down and for that initial amount there‘s no brake at all, or so I don‘t feel anything. So I think there‘s air in the brake lines. Am I right? or there‘s something else that needs to be done?
Yep, you have an air bubble in the line somewhere. Trouble is, there's a reason for that you need to address, either a leak in a line or allowing the master cyinder to get low or the rubber parts in the master cylinder or brake cylinder have worn and are leaking. You can't 'pump' up the brakes from now on to keep them working, if the problem gets worse you can have a safety issue.
NOBODY! Realize that ALL brake fluids break down, turn to GOO and SLUDGE and TOXIC waste over time. THEN it finally turns into LIQUID SANDPAPER! ALL car makers agree that the BRAKE FLUID whshould be changed at4e LEAST every 2-3 years. When it turns DARK BROWN it is at the end of it's service life!. IT WILL require a full PRESSURE BLEED flush and fill. to remove the built up GOO and SLUDGE trapped within the system. Once done you can rest ASSURED that your brakes will outlast most others that do NOT perform this simple service.The DEALERSHIP will use EXACTLY the right fluid and usually charge about $100 for it. This is WORTH the money in saving the brake system and the ABS pump and more with time. the BAD feeling in your brake pedal is the FIRST indicator that you need this fluid CHANGED FLUSHED and FILLED! Good luck!!
If air is causing the issue the big question is how was it introduced into your brake system. The system is sealed and is designed specifically so that air will not get in. Have you had maintenance performed on your brakes recently? When was it you first noticed the condition? This could be air, or one of the components in your system could be beginning to bypass. If on o-ring or seal is beginning to allow fluid to pass it instead of compressing it the resulting feel can also be the same as air in the system. If this began after maintenance had been performed then air is quite likely. If this is starting on its own air is a possibility, but it may just suck air back in wherever it is getting it from. Either of these will be found by bleeding. If bleeding doesn't do the trick it will require further testing to discover which component is bypassing.
Yes, I've seen it happen.
