Brake Pedal Effort

Seems like I have to push pretty hard on my 2018's brake pedal, a lot more than my wifes Camry. Is there anyway to get a little more boost out of the power brake booster?

 

Has the system ever been bled??? Simple and cheap to do....might help but then again might not.

 

^This.
Bleed the system.
Though remember, Camry being a sedan has a very different brake feel compared to the 4r.

 

Our 2020 seems kinda so so too. Bleeding, and I should check brake pads also. Between the 2 they should be like new! When installing pads, is it recommended to bleed also? I have seen pads put in without bleeding (I've done it myself) but heard it was recommended because of the ABS system.

 

Your not introducing air, with a pad change. I wouldnt waste the time bleeding, unless i introduced air. But, Im old and lazy.


Ill bet your brakes are just fine. Just get use to a 2 ton brick. I do bounce me and the better halfs heads off the windshield when i first drive her car, and she takes a sec when driving the runner to get the feel. But ive never thought they where "spongy" or soft.

 

On mine, there's a lot of pedal travel with low resistance before the brakes engage. Once they engage they grab fine.

Are you using OEM pads? Other brands may not have the same level of initial bite or be more sensitive to pad temperature.

 

Of the six vehicle’s I’ve been able to drive regularly the past few years, they’ve all had different feeling brakes.

If you’re really concerned something is wrong rather than just different I’d try test driving a similar 4Runner.

 

I have a 2018 as well, replaced all my pads and rotors back in the early spring. Never bled them, and my brake pedal felt way better after I was done and bedded them.

 

Takes more effort when brakes are new. My truck used to creep at a stop until pads were bedded in.

 

Same here. I would say that compared to a sedan, the 4runner requires significantly more force applied to the pedal for the same amount of stopping.

 

Yes .. well that pretty much describes it. Brake pedal feels normal, just have to push harder. I put ceramic Powerstop pads on last year and bedded correctly.

 

It could be down to the pad material. I replaced my factory pads with the value OE line pads from toyota. They were incredibly grabby for the longest time…. It was only when I almost cooked them going to fast down a nice mountain road. It felt like they faded a little, but since then, it finally feels like the factory pads .

 

The marvelous benefit to bleeding the caliper when changing brake pads us to eliminate the old brake fluid. Moisture and other gunk will accumulate in the caliper. When you push the pistons back into the caliper, the bleed valve should be open and the old fluid is out! You suction out the old fluid in the reservoir before starting the new pad install and replace with fresh. When you have completed the new pad install, you will have refreshed the brake fruid in your brake system and have new pads ready for years of driving.

 

Have you changed the brake fluid? Usually it’s spongy when dirty but it could be as easy fix as that

 

2018 here also, loaded down with steal rock rails, front skid, roof rack with highlift and other gear, hell dual bats, yadda yadda, doesnt include the gear when i go far. And, over 100k on the od.
From thrashing in Moab (6 times.. only bent tie rods) to Oregon, and far east Wyoming, Nevada a billion times, tooling around in the Unitas twice a month every summer, and daily to work and back every day. OG oem pads and rotors still. They feel fine to me. Even being a heavy brick. Ill change the pads this spring, using oem. The things work great from the experience Ive had. Ive adored this thing. Im going to beat this thing till the wheels fall off, or i die. I already know which will come first.