The Wife, a Mat'l Damage Appraiser, is investigating a single car accident. Driver claims brakes did not work at time of use and crashed the suv and personal injury is a broken back.

Wife looks at suv, a scratch is on the front bumper, no other damage to vehicle.

Wife turns on key to IGN, brake light is on. Pedal is 1 inch above floorboard. Releases pedal, starts engine, pedal is still 1 inch from floor. Brake light still ON. ABS light comes on, then goes off.

Master cylinder fluid is on the bottom of the MAX line. Wife pumps brakes, pedal is still 1 inch from floorboard, but, in all cases, a hard pedal.

No leaks at wheels, no fluid drop from reservior and viewing rotors through the wheels, they are semi-smooth and gray to color. Wife asks dealer of past service and only two state inspections done. Vehicle has 58K miles. Hard to say of past aftermarket service, but owner stated brake service has not been done since new.

Wife pays for brake diagnostic, dealer fines no fault found and no Brake Light and front pad thickness is 6/32" and rear is 8/32", all the mentioned is normal. Dealer gives the comment regarding the brake pedal height, 1 inch from floorboard, as normal.

Wife asks me for my opinion, I suggest the master cylinder is bad. But, to be sure, I felt dealer should have done a pressure check to actually see if brakes are working.

I don't believe applied pedal height of 1 inch from the floorboard is normal, neither does the Wife.

Does your 4Runner do this?
Your thoughts?

My 2000 Tundra has about the same 1inch with no issues. I will say that if this guy
got the brakes nice and soaked and then he NEEDED them, they would not work as they should and over time they dry out and you will never find this cause nor be able to prove it. I rolled a Toy 20 years and 1 week ago from this same issue even though after coming out of a creek I rode the brakes drying them out(I thought). Hope this gives your wife another view to consider. By soaked, I mean had to be submerged, huge puddle, etc., not driving in the rain or we'd all have problems!


3forme

Thanks for the suggestion. I forgot to add this vehicle was driven on the exit ramp from the interstate by a women, ie, dry pavement.

Interesting about The Tundra brakes...........

Geees, now I'm stumped. That is a little weird about the Tundra, I agree.
I have even had the thing upgraded with the bigger brakes(no charge by Toy dealer) 2000-01 had a service bulletin. Good luck to the little lady Everett,
I have no more ideas. Anyone????

"Dealer gives the comment regarding the brake pedal height, 1 inch from floorboard, as normal."

Everett, I would get a 2nd opinion from another dealer on that, that seems excessive.

Everett, I would get a 2nd opinion from another dealer on that, that seems excessive.

She is getting another opinion, ins. comp. has hired an "engineer" to research.

3forme< My 2000 Tundra has about the same 1 inch with no issues. Did I misread? Reads to me Tundra has/had the same problem?

Thanks to all for your answers.

What year 4Runner? My friend has a new one and I have an 88. My brake pedal is way more than 1" from the floor. But the 4Runners have a rear proportioning valve that adds rear braking when weight is in the rear. I've had a 4Runner master cylinder lock up on me too, but that was with the brakes on, not off.