Recently I replaced the rear brake shoes and in doinf so the piston came out of the cylinder. This let some air into the system and despite bleeding them three times they aren't right. The pedal goes down a long way with only very light resistance and little braking effect. Eventually the brakes come on but don't bite as they should. It seems as though only half of the spilt circuit is working, is this possible?

- (#8414) Steve Neathey, 8 Feb 04 15:43

Have you bleed the load sensing valve? In the middle just in front of the axle.

- (#8414) Clive (Bristol), 8 Feb 04 16:29

Are the self adjusters working OK? Shoe to drum clearance not too much?
Either that, or in the bleeding process, you've buggered the master cylinder. Common problem, when bleeding, the piston and seals travel over normally-unused (and probably rusty...) sections of the bore.

- (#8414) david miller, 9 Feb 04 01:17

I looked for the bleed valve on the load sensing valve but couldn't find one. I have encountered the problem of the extra travel when bleeding brakes leading to wrecked rubbers so I'm trying to get replacements but my local car parts shop (who are normally very good) are having trouble getting them. When bleeding the front brakes, do you need to release both bleed nipples at the same time as I had trouble getting any fluid out when bleeding one set (either the top ones or the bottom ones, I can't remember which). This seems logical if the two systems are completely independant, but I didn't think to try it at the time!

One last point, is a TownAce brake master cylinder the same as a SpaceCruiser? If so this site may provide me with a solution to my problem!

- (#8414) Steve Neathey, 10 Feb 04 15:21

Toyota, changed it's brake parts around in 88 and 89 and 90. The master cylinder may be the same, or at least fit in the slot. Have you tried Toyota for an overhaul kit? They have surprised me in the past at the low cost of rubber service parts, rear brake cylinders cheaper than local factors. Don't forget to say VOR (vehicle of road) if you order from Toyota.
Bleed nipple on the LSV is on the side at the top.

- (#8414) Clive (Bristol), 10 Feb 04 17:01