Brake Pedal - How Far Should It Go?

CanadaCraig · December 11, 2003

Hi Guys!! :)

The brake pedal in my '93 LS seems quite 'soft'. When I'm stopped at a light [for instance] it's quite easy to push the pedal down to within an inch or so [maybe even less than that] of the floor. My Lexus service guy says that my brakes are fine. Are they?!

How does YOUR brake pedal feel? Does 'it' seem to 'sink' quite easily if pushed a bit?

Thanks

Craig!! :)

cnacne · December 11, 2003

My '93 pedal goes pretty close to the floor, or bottoms out as well. Check the user manual, there is a procedure to check the brake system.

Joe

CanadaCraig · December 12, 2003

Hi Joe!! :)

Thanks for the response.

Yes - I'll do that. In fact - the owner's manual [i discovered!!] is surprisingly detailed when it comes to checking the brake pedal clearances and so on.

I'm comforted by the fact that YOUR brake pedal also 'sinks' pretty close to the floor. I probably have nothing to worry about.

Craig!! :)

jzz30 · December 12, 2003

the pedal is fairly soft but i dont know if it should be an inch from the floor. can the car break hard?

cnacne · December 12, 2003

Yes. Mine brakes hard enough to activate the ABS on dry pavement.

SW03ES · December 12, 2003

Soft brakes have always been a criticism of the LS, probably normal.

mickg · December 13, 2003

In the '94 manual, it specifies a minimum clearance of 3.1" from the front of the brake pedal to the floor behind the mat, after jamming the brake pedal with 110 lbs of effort, and engine running.

I don't believe that any modern braking system requires pushing the pedal close to the floor - too much pedal travel for shorter folks.

As an aside, many old British Leyland trucks and buses had electric brake systems - frightening vehicles indeed when the brake pedal was pushed flat to the boards, and the tires were not yet shrieking. Sometimes you had to throw the handbrake in order to get maximum braking effort!

Mick