Spongy Brake Pedal!

[MUDIMOND]

08 LC 8500KM, spongy brake pedal, I opened the brake fluid’s reservoir, pumped the pedal, went back to normal, had to repeat it couple of times since, it keeps on happening, any thoughts or suggestions?

Isn’t it too soon for air in system, if any?

 

[dtt255]

I found my brake pedal to be "spongier" (if that is a word) then my previous Acura, but then again the Acura was a car not a SUV.

I do find it a bit soft with more resistance then I would like. Sometimes at red lights or when stopped, I find that I am rolling a bit because I am not pushing hard enough. Annoying, but I don't know how to change that.

 

[MUDIMOND]

I found my brake pedal to be "spongier" (if that is a word) then my previous Acura, but then again the Acura was a car not a SUV.

I do find it a bit soft with more resistance then I would like. Sometimes at red lights or when stopped, I find that I am rolling a bit because I am not pushing hard enough. Annoying, but I don't know how to change that.

Hi dtt,

Sure, but it wasn't always as "spongy" and when pumped it gets more responsive for a while, do you think that we would need to bleed the air out of the brake system, as in older model vehicles?

 

[NotHiLandr!]

Not sure if you've got the same issue but here goes...

I noticed that my brake pedal was getting "spongy" and would require me to stand on the brakes (almost literally or so it seemed) in order to stop the LC. I kept thinking something was wrong and took it to dealer #1 who claimed everything was within normal tolerances. Honestly? I'm not sure they did anything with it except drive it to lunch. I drove it for another couple of weeks and continued to complain. Then for some reason, my wife dorve it and told me she was afraid she wasn't going to stop. Still no proof...then I rear-ended a guy because the brakes wouldn't stop the car. I took the LC to dealer #2 and explained to them what was going on and that it felt like the old days when a master cylinder would malfunction but it wasn't doing it all the time. They drove it in the morning and didn't notice anything...drove it again in the afternoon and sure enough, the problem surfaced. They diagnosed the problem as one of the internal o-rings inside the master cylinder. It wasn't allowing the pressure to work as supposed to. See? I told 'em. Anyways, a quick part order and back to no spongy brakes that actually stop.

If this sounds completely different from what you're experiencing...well, I'll hope that this is an anomoly.

 

[JBHorne]

Did you go after dealer 1 for the damages by not performing a through inspection when you were right in the first place? How bad of an accident? Pics?

 

[NotHiLandr!]

I haven't yet. No pics. It bent my license plate and cost me $100 bucks in cash to the other guy. Fortunately, we were going so slow that it didn't do any damage but it could have been awful had it been something else - like a small child running out to chase a ball.

My wife did more damage to the front bumper when she backed it out of the garage to move it when I was out of town. More ammo for the ARB that Slee is putting on in June.

 

[MUDIMOND]

Not sure if you've got the same issue but here goes...

I noticed that my brake pedal was getting "spongy" and would require me to stand on the brakes (almost literally or so it seemed) in order to stop the LC. I kept thinking something was wrong and took it to dealer #1 who claimed everything was within normal tolerances. Honestly? I'm not sure they did anything with it except drive it to lunch. I drove it for another couple of weeks and continued to complain. Then for some reason, my wife dorve it and told me she was afraid she wasn't going to stop. Still no proof...then I rear-ended a guy because the brakes wouldn't stop the car. I took the LC to dealer #2 and explained to them what was going on and that it felt like the old days when a master cylinder would malfunction but it wasn't doing it all the time. They drove it in the morning and didn't notice anything...drove it again in the afternoon and sure enough, the problem surfaced. They diagnosed the problem as one of the internal o-rings inside the master cylinder. It wasn't allowing the pressure to work as supposed to. See? I told 'em. Anyways, a quick part order and back to no spongy brakes that actually stop.

If this sounds completely different from what you're experiencing...well, I'll hope that this is an anomoly.

Hi NotHiLandr!

Thanks for the input, that makes sense.
My brake pedal issue doesn’t seem to be as severe (yet), as I can stop the LC easily but definitely not as responsive or stiff as it was.
Was your service detailed by dealer #2 (service sheet), are you able to tell us exactly what parts and what exactly was done on your LC please.
I ask as where I live I might have to tell the “dealer” what to do if I don’t want to loose my brake system altogether!

Regards,
MD.

 

[dtt255]

Not sure if you've got the same issue but here goes...

I noticed that my brake pedal was getting "spongy" and would require me to stand on the brakes (almost literally or so it seemed) in order to stop the LC. I kept thinking something was wrong and took it to dealer #1 who claimed everything was within normal tolerances. Honestly? I'm not sure they did anything with it except drive it to lunch. I drove it for another couple of weeks and continued to complain. Then for some reason, my wife dorve it and told me she was afraid she wasn't going to stop. Still no proof...then I rear-ended a guy because the brakes wouldn't stop the car. I took the LC to dealer #2 and explained to them what was going on and that it felt like the old days when a master cylinder would malfunction but it wasn't doing it all the time. They drove it in the morning and didn't notice anything...drove it again in the afternoon and sure enough, the problem surfaced. They diagnosed the problem as one of the internal o-rings inside the master cylinder. It wasn't allowing the pressure to work as supposed to. See? I told 'em. Anyways, a quick part order and back to no spongy brakes that actually stop.

If this sounds completely different from what you're experiencing...well, I'll hope that this is an anomoly.

wow...glad you are alright and they figured it out!

 

[NotHiLandr!]

According to the invoice, "found internal gasket failing causing no pressure in system; replaced brake booster."

Part #s
47050 - 60170 Cylinder Assy, BR
00475 - 1BF03 Brake Fluid
00289 - 2BC00 Non-Chlor Brake C

Hopefully this helps...the brake fluid is a no-brainer. I think the other part numbers are the more important ones.

 

[Mtnbike]

This is my first vehicle that uses hydraulic brakes. Does anyone feel some kind of feed back from the brake pedal when applying normal foot pressure vs. say a sedan?

 

[dtt255]

This is my first vehicle that uses hydraulic brakes. Does anyone feel some kind of feed back from the brake pedal when applying normal foot pressure vs. say a sedan?

My last vehicle was an Acura TL.

This trucks brakes are a hell of alot different.

It should be expected, it weighs over a ton more!

 

[Mtnbike]

My last vehicle was an Acura TL.

This trucks brakes are a hell of alot different.

It should be expected, it weighs over a ton more!

Can you expand on "hell of allot different". I had a LR3 Land Rover which is no light weight and it never gave me any different kind of feel in the brake pedal than my BMW. What I feel from the brake pedal when applying light pressure is a slight rattle (hard to explain). In other vehicle's, when you apply the brake there is only one pressure stage and zero feedback at least the vehicles I have owned. Sorry if I am not making any sense.

 

[dtt255]

Can you expand on "hell of allot different". I had a LR3 Land Rover which is no light weight and it never gave me any different kind of feel in the brake pedal than my BMW. What I feel from the brake pedal when applying light pressure is a slight rattle (hard to explain). In other vehicle's, when you apply the brake there is only one pressure stage and zero feedback at least the vehicles I have owned. Sorry if I am not making any sense.

I guess what I mean is that I drive generally fast.....and driving something that weighs a ton more then my old car, and trying to stop as fast. just doesn't work.

 

[Mtnbike]

I guess what I mean is that I drive generally fast.....and driving something that weighs a ton more then my old car, and trying to stop as fast. just doesn't work.

My LC stops just fine. It's that I get a weird feel from my brake pedal. It always gives me the sense that it's going through stages of braking. Nothing serious or harsh. When you use your gas pedal there is no feeling what so ever besides normal feel that every car has. It has nothing to do with stopping but more to do with the way the brake pedal feels. Is this normal and does anyone have a clue what I am talking about?

 

[Mtnbike]

Ok, here I go again. Does anyone's brake pedal feel like it gives a different response depending on brake applied "foot" pressure? I am just wondering if it gives off a different feel than your standard brake because they are hydraulic.

 

[mark71]

yes, but this i believe is part of the electronic booster control and is normal.

 

[Mtnbike]

Thanks Mark for your reply. I was going a little stir crazy thinking there was something wrong with my brakes and everyone probably thinking I was "crazy". This is my first Land Cruiser and never felt two different kinds of feed back from a brake pedal before.

 

[mark71]

no problem. the same thought had gone through my mind, but then i remembered reading somewhere that the boost is adjusted depending on how urgent the vehicle calculates that you are trying to stop. good safety feature. enjoy your LC...these things are amazing peices of engineering!!!