Losing the Camry Brakes

[Nick1994]

I’ve put 700 miles on my 00’ Camry this past week or so, and it’s been great, until today.

Went to turn into a parking lot so I braked, normal. Braked again for a small speed bump, normal. Braked a 3rd time for a small speed bump, and my pedal was hard. I could still brake, but it was really hard and I had to stomp on it. I parked and looked under the hood and underneath, no leaks, vacuum hose is still connected. I popped it off and it’s got good suction. Fluid is full.

When I left I let it idle for a minute and the pedal felt a lot better, until I pumped the brakes a few times and the pedal went hard. So I made it back a couple miles just trying to coast and not brake too many times within a short time period.

Any ideas?

 

[atikovi]

Brake booster problem or check valve issue.

 

[Chris142]

Booster ran out of vacuum. Either a leak in the hose that feed it vacuum or the booster it's self is bad.

 

[71Chevyguy]

I have run into this before and it was the booster itself that had a leak. Of course check over the vacuum hose very thoroughly first. But most likely the booster.

 

[Lubener]

After shutting off your engine, wait about ten minutes. Try pumping the brake pedal. You should have atleast 3-4 "power assisted" pumps before the brakes go hard. If you do not have that, either your booster, check valve or the grommet for the check valve are leaking.

 

[Kira]

The vacuum hose is outside the booster obviously.
The check valve and the check valve grommet are inside the booster "can"?
When either the check valve or its grommet goes it's time for a new booster, yes?

 

[Nick1994]

Ok, I put in a brake booster from NAPA and the brakes feel different, but the pedal now slowly comes up, still pretty hard brakes. I'm guessing master cylinder?

 

[mk378]

I popped it off and it’s got good suction.

Define that. Air should really rush in through the hose removed from the booster at idle. Enough air will flow to affect the running of the engine. A MAF engine will lean out and run badly due to the introduction of unmetered air.

When installing a new booster you may have to adjust the push rod length and the pedal stop. Though those typically cause problems other than what you describe.

 

[tiger862]

Could be hose getting restricted.

 

[Nick1994]

Could be hose getting restricted.

Hmm.

I think I'm going to warranty out the brake booster, I asked my mechanic and he thinks maybe the spring inside isn't any good (reman).

I'm also ordering a master cylinder to go with it. We will see what happens. At least it is driveable now, stops good. Just the brakes are slow to disengage, but not dragging.