2004 brakes

[ron y]

Has anyone experienced heavy pedal pressure when applying the brakes on a 2004 Camry. I have 1500 miles and haven't been back to the dealer yet. My 2000 Camry stops with less pedal pressure.

[Bossman]

Yes, my 03 Camry is the same. It has the notorious mushy Toyota brakes (non-ABS). My 92 Camry was exactly the same too. The mushy brakes require more pedal pressure and therefore a lot less confidence in their ability to stop the darn thing. When my brakes wear down to the point where they need replaced, I'll replace them with something like EBC pads and rotors. I understand they have a life time warranty and they produce very little brake dust. I figure ANYTHING has got to be better than OEM Toyota brakes! I've already looked into TRD but they don't make brakes for the Camry so I'll have to use an alternative such as EBC or similar.

[ron y]

Bossman,
Thank you for your response.

[Brian R.]

It is not necessarily the pads that cause this. If there is give in the brake lines, or anywhere in the braking system, for that matter, that would cause the same effect. It is certainly not the rotors.

[ron y]

I had my '04 Camry back at the dealer this morning and had a mechanic take a test drive. Everything checked out OK and yes, more pedal pressure is needed. He did make some high speed stops and the brakes do work well. My wife will need to get used to the different feel compared to her '00.

[Bossman]

Ron.....you're very welcome. I hope the info will help you some time in the future when we both have to have that first major brake job. I'm definitely going aftermarket instead of Toyota OEM.

[Brian R.]

Here is a good discussion on brake pads:

http://www.babcox.com/editorial/ic/ic20316.htm