1st gen DC brake system (spongy)

Hey Everyone

I figure everyone has seen threads like this enough to be sick of them hahaha. I picked up a 06 DC tundra a few months ago and found the brakes to be a little spongy and actually almost got me into two minor fender benders. I currently found out as well that toyota is known for this as well. Has anyone done anything to fix this? Or has everyone just upgraded? Asking because Im thinking about upgrading to a beefier braking system.

 

Adjust the rear drums (biggest difference) and maybe bleed the brakes.

 

Start easy and then work towards the bigger stuff if needed. Basically, optimize what you have.

1) Adjust Load Sensing Valve

2) Make sure your Parking Brake is working/adjusted properly

3) Fresh Fluid always helps

4) Inspect Calipers for seizing

 

I second this. You will be amazed at what a bleed and fresh fluid fill will do for the braking system on an old car or truck. Over time, moisture invades the system. Water is more easily compressed than oil, so the brake feel gets worse. Also a source of corrosion and the reason those front calipers get sticky. The parking brake adjustment is a good way to get the pads close to the drums to make sure they are making good contact when applying the brake pedal. I would say the Load proportioning valve would be the last thing to tinker with as it's likely optimized from the factory, but many have experienced a better brake feel and more confident stops after adjusting it. All that being said, this braking system will never feel like the firm pedal in a Silverado or my wife's jeep. Just not the way it was designed apparently.

 

Do the rear adjustment before you try bleeding the system.

Nearly 100% chance you end up having to replace calipers/wheel cylinders if they're over a year old in a place where they salt the roads.

 

They only last a year in salty conditions? Dang. Mine are factory. I asked someone in Minneapolis why they lived there on a -12 degree day. They said the summers are nice. I told them if they like summer, there's places in the US that are summer year round. Blank stare.

 

I should have worded that better. The parts themselves are good for years, but attempting to loosen the bleeder is likely going to end up with it snapped off.

In 25 years I've never been able to get one loose on a wheel cylinder, I think I'm at 3 for calipers.

 

What about that Fluid Film Penetration though?

 

Doesn't matter, that, PB, acetone/ATF mix, heat, not much seems to help. Mostly I think since they're hollow so it doesn't take a whole lot to snap them.

 

Slather some Toyota Rubber Grease and slap a zerk/bleeder rubber on it. You’ll thank me next brake service.

 

Hmmm ok that makes sense, but I did buy the car from a toyota dealership but that doesnt really say anything. Well, I guess Im going to try the brake fluids and check the rear drums first before I go off looking for new beefier brakes. Thanks everyone!

 

If anyone here has discovered the secret sauce to not spongey Tundra brakes, please speak now and save us all. Otherwise, Its maintenance and adjustment. And it's still mediocre pedal feel at best. My 1997 Camry was this way as well. It's gotta be the booster. It's not the master cylinder, they all compress brake fluid the same way. While I agree the pedal effort could be improved with an optimized MC, the booster has to be the issue with the spongey-ness. Change my mind.

 

I agree. One of the reasons I held off for 2 years in buying a Tundra was that the first truck I drove in 2000 had spongy brakes, so I assumed they were all like that. I bought my 2002 Tundra without spongy brakes and it’s had great pedal feel for the last 20 years. Only bled them once.

 

Agreed. I will say that the 05 Double Cab I drove 3-4 weeks ago had the hardest brake pedal I've ever experienced on any vehicle I've ever driven. From what I'm reading that means something was likely wrong. It didn't feel right at all.

 

likely multiple frozen caliper pistons

 

Nice on your stiffer pedal. My 2002 pedal has always felt ‘not spongy‘. I press it and it slows the truck. No deadness until brakeness. Of all fluids over the years, I lagged in the brake bleedings but not like you.

 

I think it’s because i was used to GM vehicles in the past where spongy brakes were the norm. Once you bled them they tended to be too sensitive with no progressive stopping power. It only took an inch or two of pedal travel to lock them up.