2009 Corolla, 145k
Car brakes fine - I had BF flushed 18months ago - its California weather.
Ever since I got the car, I noticed that the Brake pedals travels a bit long before starts to brake! Perhaps even feel a bit flimsy (right word to use?). My Mazda also takes longer to brake but it doesn’t feel flimsy. Corolla doesn’t take long to brake but it takes long due to the travel. Hand brake also travels a bit long.
Thoughts, advice?
Try operating the parking brake a few times.
The parking brake uses the rear caliper pistons to apply the brake. You can see where the parking brake cable attaches the caliper lever in this image. Using the parking brake also keeps the pads properly adjusted as they wear.
Most people rarely use the parking brake if the vehicle has an automatic transmission. This results in the rear brake pads wearing down without being adjusted. Which then leads to a soft brake pedal.
Tester
Since 18months ago, we use parking brake all the time.
But the brake pedal feels soft
Check all brake pads/ shoes to see if they need replacing.
Check to see the condition of the brake fluid. If it has never been replaced it should be done. also, you can try bleeding the brakes to see if there is air in the system.
I guess info overload we don’t read the question!
Lack of sleep. LOL
Not trying to be negative or anything, but it’s your brakes - not exactly a minor system on the car. If you have to ask, then you need to just find a locally owned shop with a good reputation and ask them to check it out.
Do you have rear drum brakes or rear disc brakes??
If drums, then they are out of adjustment…
Did the brake flush change the feel/travel of the brake pedal??
Under normal braking, the brake pedal should be even to the gas pedal, you should be able to slide you foot over from the brake pedal to the gas pedal without lifting your foot any, again under normal braking…
Absolutely - I called around - they gave me nothing to bite.
There is no brake specialist that I could find on Yelp.
They are all about changing rotors, and pads!
Yelp won’t help. And you don’t need to look for a “brake specialist.” Brakes are among the most basic things. You just need a locally owned independent general service auto shop that has a decent rep.
