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Toyota Avalon Brakes, ABS, VSC, etc.

175 messages,  Last post on Apr 05, 2012 at 3:08 PM

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What is this discussion about? Toyota Avalon, Brakes, Sedan

Messages Page 14 of 18

#127 of 175 Re: 2003 Toyota Avalon XL [scgrnmom] by mcclearyfl

Jul 21, 2007 (7:08 am)

Replying to: scgrnmom (Jul 14, 2007 10:13 pm)
There have been many posts regarding the problems associated with overtightening the wheel lug nuts, invariably resulting in a heavy pulsation normally associated with warped disks or sticking calipers.
 
I have just replaced the tires on my 55K 2003 Avalon XLS, and the pulsation was immediately obvious. The lugs on all four wheels were greatly overtorqued, and required considerable effort with a long lugnut rod to loosen them. I tightened them to a little more than finger tight, and drove round the block a couple of times. I then retightened them, taking great care to perform this operation very evenly and carefully, spreading the pressure across the whole wheel. I applied sufficient torque that I could easily loosen the nuts with the small wrench that comes as standard equipment.
 
The excessive pulsation has gone. There is a very slight vibration that I consider normal for an Avalon that has never had a brake service, though my 2002 Saab (which has a much better disk system) is a smooth as the day I bought it.
 
So check those wheel lug nuts !!

#128 of 175 2006 Avalon Limited Brake Issue by dpyer

Oct 19, 2007 (9:39 am)

I had an oil change yesterday and was told that my front brake pads have less than 10% left with only 18k miles on my '06 Avalon. That doesn't sound right to me but was told that with city driving, the pads can wear down that quickly. Anyone else experience this?

#129 of 175 Failed Brakes on 2005 Toyota Avalon by btitle

Nov 06, 2007 (9:54 pm)

I was driving at a slow speed with a fair amount of traffic and when I went around a curve I heard a noise from the rear of the car and the car felt like I had gone over a curb. I then applied the brake and the brake pedal was completely depressed but the car did not brake and I hit another car. The impact was not too great but the entire right front of my car crumbled, however, the air bag did not inflate. The car was on a busy street so the police moved it when they arrived. I assume the brakes worked at that time but there was no discussion about it. The car is now in the body shop and I spoke to the proprieter about having the brakes checked. Does anyone have any suggestions about what I should do. I am a recent widow and my husband always took care of the cars so I am at a loss.

#130 of 175 Re: Failed Brakes on 2005 Toyota Avalon [btitle] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Nov 08, 2007 (9:10 am)

Replying to: btitle (Nov 06, 2007 9:54 pm)
Well you should wait until a detailed report comes back from the body shop. Presumably, an actual catastrophic failure of the brakes would not heal itself and should be readily apparent.
 
If the brakes check out perfectly, I'm afraid you'd have to at least consider driver error (hit the wrong pedal) or confusion.
 
Also, they should check for debris under the brake pedal (old water bottle, etc.) and possibly a defective power brake booster---which would give you a very very hard pedal so that it might feel like there were no brakes (but there are if you push hard enough).
 
Also, you might very well have hit something in the road prior to the crash, damaging the rear brakes.

#131 of 175 2003 Toyota Avalon by scgrnmom

Nov 07, 2007 (9:14 pm)

I'd written before about my Avalon concerning the brakes and being told I had disk problems after recently getting new brakes, tires, etc. I was in Springfield, Va & took my car to the Toyota Dealer. He said there was nothing wrong with my brakes. There was still plenty of space on my disks. He said, there was no point in getting a brake job done or replacing the disks. You might as well keep driving it until they wear down.
 
The car shimmys when I put on the brakes. I have 4 new tires. Will this not wear my tires out very quickly?

#132 of 175 Re: 2003 Toyota Avalon [scgrnmom] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Nov 08, 2007 (7:18 pm)

Replying to: scgrnmom (Nov 07, 2007 9:14 pm)
That's warped rotors. Sure that might result in some irregular tire wear over a long period of time. Probably nothing you'd notice unless this condition went on and on for an intolerable period.

#133 of 175 2006 Avalon brake pads need replacement by njrealtor

Jan 06, 2008 (10:13 am)

I purchased my 2006 Avalon new and I have been the only driver. At approximately 24,000 miles I was told by the dealer that the pads were half worn; both front and rear. At 27,798 miles the dealer informed me that they needed to be replaced. I am the only driver of the car, I do mostly highway driving and I don't do any towing. It seems to me that this repair work for nearly $500.00 should not be necessary with such little mileage. In addition to this, the dealer informed me that my two rear tires are bald and they need to be replaced.
 
I called Toyota customer service and was told that although I have an extended warrant, brakes are wear and tear items and are not covered. The agent could not care less about the fact that the mileage was only 27,798. She suggested that I take it to another Toyota dealer for a second opinion. Regarding the tires, she suggested that I contact Michelin, the manufacturer. She staterd this was "not a Toyota problem to resolve".
 
Has anyone had this problem with the brakes and or tires? What might be the cause of this and what recourse should I take. My other car is a 2000 Avalon and I never had these difficulties. I was the sole driver of that car until I got the 2006 model.
 
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

#134 of 175 Re: 2006 Avalon brake pads need replacement [njrealtor] by popsavalon

Jan 07, 2008 (7:57 am)

Replying to: njrealtor (Jan 06, 2008 10:13 am)
There seems to be questionable issues with your dealer. If the pads were half worn-out at 24K, how did they completely wear out in 3K? Tire issues do go back to the tire manufacturer, but "bald" rear tires only on a front wheel drive car certainly doesn't seem normal.
 
I would find a reputable independent shop (maybe a Michelin dealer) for a second opinion, since brake pads and tires are not covered under Toyota warranty anyway.

#135 of 175 Re: 2006 Avalon brake pads need replacement [njrealtor] by fin

Jan 07, 2008 (2:38 pm)

Replying to: njrealtor (Jan 06, 2008 10:13 am)
With suburban driving the brakes could be half gone (front) and the rear should be almost new. As above, how did 3k miles finish off the pads? Not likely. My experience, anyway.
 
If the tires were rotated properly how do two go bald and two not? They should all be pretty close. Take the car to a Michelin dealer and ask the question...
 
This whole thing sounds strange. Like the dealer wants some money you don't need to spend. Good luck, keep the forum posted .

#136 of 175 Re: 2006 Avalon Limited Brake Issue [dpyer] by njrealtor

Jan 08, 2008 (11:09 pm)

Replying to: dpyer (Oct 19, 2007 9:39 am)
I have a similar problem. Please read my post My 2006 Avalon need new brakes.

Messages Page 14 of 18

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