MY BRAKES WENT OUT! Now what?!?

Question

My 94 Toyota 4Runner brakes went out suddenly...

For the last day or so, the brakes were giving me a little resistance. Then suddenly tonight, they hardly function at all! There is a "whooshing" sound when I push down on the brake pedal.

Of course, I am going to take it in to be fixed Monday a.m., but does anyone have any idea what is going on, why this might have happened, and about how much I may be paying to fix it? Thanks for any input!

Answer 1

Put more brake fluid and change brake pads and resurface rotors and disk

Answer 2

Sounds like you will need your brake pads, rooters and fluid replaced.  Depending on the car this could cost $200 to $700.  Good luck.

Answer 3

Sounds like a problem with your brake booster, master cylinder or the check valve. Check to see if you have any brake fluid. I know stupid, but start with the little things.

Answer 4

Well, the "whooshing" sound is your brake booster. It's a matter of hitting something without any resistance.

Based on the year of the vehicle you may have the following problems:

a) Not enough brake fluid in the system

b) vacuum tube has come loose of booster

c) booster is shot

d) master cylinder is shot

e) brake line has burst

f) caliper / wheel sylinder is leaking.

Before you take it in to the shop, check the level of fluid in the system. The container is under the hood up top on the drivers side. Also make sure the vacuum tubes are all tightly connected.

If topping off the flui and checking connections doesn't fix it, then it's most likely the master cylinder (unless you wonked the car hitting something).

Regardless, make sure it goes in to the shop. Brakes are serious business.

Answer 5

the problem is probably that your brake master cylinder was ran low and now you have air in the lines. the whoooshing sound you hear is the air in the line being compressed by the fluid. if this is the case then all the shop will have to do is bleed the system which shouldn't be that expensive

Answer 6

You could  have a brake line that as came loose or broke, if so then you have air in the line's , they would have to fix the line then bleed the brakes. By you saying that you here a whooshing sound that makes me think that your brake booster could have went out. When you take it into the shop don,t let them try to sale you a new car, Let them know that you just need your brakes fixed. I know that you want around about price ' but i have'nt been around any brake shop lately some i don't want to make up a price .

Answer 7

Sounds like you need a new brake booster.  About $130 to $250  for a rebuilt one plus labor.  

Answer 8

disk break change? thyre probably just worn out. depending on your vehicle for the price. good luck