I have an 04 camry that had its rotors and pads replaced about 6 months ago and was driven about 300 miles per week until January when I switched jobs. From January to April it was driven maybe a few miles a month. It was recently on two medium length (4-5 hour) road trips and braking power was significantly reduced. However, on a recent 2 hour trip this weekend the brakes felt fine. I was going to take it in, but am now hesitant to since the braking appears to be back to normal. Anyone thoughts would appreciated.

 

Perhaps the rotors rusted, or a brake piston froze from lack of use then unfroze or?

Given the car has power assist brakes, the assist booster may also have had issues.

Try to remember if the car lacked braking power or the pedal just needed more braking effort. As in still having power assist but less effective brakes.

 

Agree with Joey.

 

Thanks for the responses. If I recall correctly, it felt as if I had to push the pedal down further than normal.

 

1) With engine off, press brake pedal and release a number of times to bleed off power assist booster air. The pedal will firm up. When you then press on the pedal there is no assist. Is that what braking felt like when abnormal?

2) Then start engine and press brake pedal (a much softer pedal) and compare to what you felt when abnormal.

If the brake pedal felt like test 1) when the brake problems occurred the booster has problems.

If lie test 2) the assist works but the brakes had problems. A No 2 feel would be common to having the car sit for so long and the problem mentioned in another post.

As to inspection. My own opinion is if feel is like Test 2 when less braking action the issue resulted from the car sitting without driving.