Brakes locking up

2003 TOYOTA CAMRY
105,000 MILES
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COBRAJET427
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Dealership talking about brake adjustment rod behind the master cylinder has been turned or power booster being bad. Any help with how to adjust the brake rod? Thanks
William
Jun 8, 2016 at 12:25 PM
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WRENCHTECH
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The rod has to be adjusted so there is a very tiny amount of play before it contacts the master cylinder. You just need to confirm that the master is returning fully to it stops and the rod is not preventing that.
Mar 5, 2021 at 11:09 AM
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COBRAJET427
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Does the master cylinder need to be off to adjust this? The dealership I went to said that they needed to pull master cylinder to adjust and it would be $190.00. They said that if it did not work that they would replace the power booster next. They would be questing as they did not know what the problem was. I told my niece that they would only be questing when I had the dealership on speaker phone. They called back an hour later and said that a new tech was walking by and said that it was out of adjustment by 10 mm, he fixed it and that is when they said if that did not work they would change the power booster. So if you could help me with the adjustment on the rod or what to try next I could use the help. Thank you.
William
Mar 5, 2021 at 11:09 AM
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WRENCHTECH
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Yes, the master has to be removed or at least pulled away from the booster some.
Mar 5, 2021 at 11:09 AM
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COBRAJET427
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If the rod is out of adjustment would the brakes work at all? When I changed the master cylinder the brakes worked fine for a week and then started to act up and stick.
Mar 5, 2021 at 11:09 AM
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WRENCHTECH
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If the master is not able to completely return to its stop, it will not release pressure and it will build up a keep the brakes on.
Mar 5, 2021 at 11:09 AM
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COBRAJET427
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Would the brakes work fine if the rod is out of adjustment and can you tell me how to check and see if the rod is out of adjustment and how to correct it?
Mar 5, 2021 at 11:09 AM
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COBRAJET427
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Can you explain to me how to check to see if the master cylinder is returning completely and how to adjust the rod?
Mar 5, 2021 at 11:09 AM
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WRENCHTECH
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You need to have about 1/16" of free play before contacting it.
Mar 5, 2021 at 11:09 AM
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COBRAJET427
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Is that between the power booster and the master cylinder. I can take it apart and put it back together with no problem, but I have never dealt with this before.
Mar 5, 2021 at 11:09 AM
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MHPAUTOS
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There is a special tool to check the push rod length is correct, but as wrenchtech says you need a small amount clearance so the brakes do not bind up with residual pressure.
Mar 5, 2021 at 11:09 AM
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COBRAJET427
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If the rod is out of adjustment would the brakes work fine for a week and then lock up or would that be something else. This is what happen and that is why I am asking so many questions as I am trying to understand this.
Mar 5, 2021 at 11:09 AM
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STRAILER
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When the brake are locked up, safely raise each wheel to see if all wheels are locked up, if so then its the adjustment at the master which can be checked simply be loosening the masters mounting bolts, if the wheel starts to roll then that is the problem, if you only have one wheel that is locked the problem is the rubber flex line need to be replaced, if one of the rear wheels are locked and it has drum brakes remove the rear wheel and look and the brake shoes they could be falling apart.

Please let me know what you find.

Best, Ken
Mar 5, 2021 at 11:09 AM
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COBRAJET427
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After driving the car the left front and right rear are locking up. I have changed the left front brake caliper as it was sticking when I tried to push the piston in and rotor along with all four brake hoses. I have also changed the master cylinder, could you give me an ideal of what to do next. Thank you William
Mar 5, 2021 at 11:09 AM
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STRAILER
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This sounds like the ABS module and valve are bad and need to be replaced.
Mar 5, 2021 at 11:09 AM
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COBRAJET427
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It appears that it was the ABS module thanks for your help
Mar 5, 2021 at 11:09 AM
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STRAILER
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Glad to hear we could help you fix the problem, please use 2Carpros anytime, we are here to help.
Mar 5, 2021 at 11:09 AM