Hello wise ones, I need guidance. If you can't tell me the issue, then a systematic approach to troubleshooting would be great, thank you.
I recently bought my FJ45 and let's just say the brakes are a conversation piece. In general, the maintenance of this vehicle was not been upheld or done with much interest by the previous owner. The brake fluid was black, which gives you an idea.
Driving it, the brakes were completely spongy and felt like they were just full of air. Also, when braking, the vehicle would veer to the right so strongly you would need to start turning left as soon as you were pressing the brake pedal. After driving for 20 mins (which I was doing safely on empty roads to get an idea of all the issues), the front brake started smoking and letting off a burnt smell. I think this may have been a stuck brake caliper, as a guess.
Today, I did the brake fluid, which I know how to do, so there's no fear of operator error. But the brakes all have air coming through the lines to no end. I literally flushed the first one about 6 or 7 times. The fluid was clean after the first flush, but the bubbles never went away. They weren't small bubbles either, it was mostly air coming up through the line. I thought maybe there was air sneaking into the line from under the nipples when I loosened them to extract the fluid, because there was a bit of play in them when slightly unscrewed, but can that play be normal? It didn't make difference if I did with them tighter anyway. And there are no fluid leaks from the nipples or anywhere along the lines. Also, practically no fluid at all came out of the front left, which must have something to do with the vehicle veering right when braking.
After doing all this, the brakes still behave exactly the same when driving. I will be taking them apart to inspect everything in the next week or two, but I thought it would be worth seeking advice now because I imagine the air issue won't be related to the brake drums.
Also, I removed the tubing going between the brake booster and air intake manifold as I wanted to dip inside the brake booster to check for leaks. The good news is there is nothing leaking into the brake booster, the great news is that I can't get that bloody tube back into it. Is there a trick?
Thanks for any help given.
I recently bought my FJ45 and let's just say the brakes are a conversation piece. In general, the maintenance of this vehicle was not been upheld or done with much interest by the previous owner. The brake fluid was black, which gives you an idea.
Driving it, the brakes were completely spongy and felt like they were just full of air. Also, when braking, the vehicle would veer to the right so strongly you would need to start turning left as soon as you were pressing the brake pedal. After driving for 20 mins (which I was doing safely on empty roads to get an idea of all the issues), the front brake started smoking and letting off a burnt smell. I think this may have been a stuck brake caliper, as a guess.
Today, I did the brake fluid, which I know how to do, so there's no fear of operator error. But the brakes all have air coming through the lines to no end. I literally flushed the first one about 6 or 7 times. The fluid was clean after the first flush, but the bubbles never went away. They weren't small bubbles either, it was mostly air coming up through the line. I thought maybe there was air sneaking into the line from under the nipples when I loosened them to extract the fluid, because there was a bit of play in them when slightly unscrewed, but can that play be normal? It didn't make difference if I did with them tighter anyway. And there are no fluid leaks from the nipples or anywhere along the lines. Also, practically no fluid at all came out of the front left, which must have something to do with the vehicle veering right when braking.
After doing all this, the brakes still behave exactly the same when driving. I will be taking them apart to inspect everything in the next week or two, but I thought it would be worth seeking advice now because I imagine the air issue won't be related to the brake drums.
Also, I removed the tubing going between the brake booster and air intake manifold as I wanted to dip inside the brake booster to check for leaks. The good news is there is nothing leaking into the brake booster, the great news is that I can't get that bloody tube back into it. Is there a trick?
Thanks for any help given.