Hi
I had my brake fluid (2011 Corolla) changed at a standard shop about 2 years ago (to be preventative)- and before it was changed, the brakes were great. Light touch - came to stop. Since then, the brakes are just terrible. I really have to press hard to get them to stop. Quite hard. And it's likely getting worse. I change the pads regularly as needed.
What might be the problem (likelihood) and what should I do? Any advice would be appreciated (I'm worried taking to the same shop will make it worse)
Did the shop use a bidirectional scan tool to bleed the brakes properly?
Mr. Tobias - I don't know. I never thought to ask that. Perhaps I should take to a different shop, get brake fluid changed again and ask that they ensure they use that tool to bleed the brakes properly. Quick follow-up, if they didnt and they weren't bled properly, can that damage the brakes themselves?
Quick follow-up, if they didnt and they weren't bled properly, can that damage the brakes themselves?
No, it wouldn't damage anything if that's the case. Another possibility would be a failing brake booster, bad brake booster check valve, or insufficient vacuum reaching the booster. (That would make for much higher pedal effort but the brakes would otherwise work.) If brakes were not bled properly I'd expect a soft pedal, that is the pedal would feel "squishy" and have to be pushed a distance before brakes engaged and the brakes would not stop the vehicle as well as they should.
You've already gone way too long with substandard brakes. Stay away from dealers and chain shops (is that what you meant by "standard shop"?). Find a good independent mechanic to do the work.
thank you! and yes this was not a mechanic shop.