Brake issues after installing 6” lift and 35” tires

I just bought a 2020 Tundra crewmax 4x4 and wasn’t happy with the tire size on the truck. I lifted my truck 6” with a rough country suspension lift and put 35” pro comp tires on it. After 3 days of getting my truck back I was driving over a bridge and on the way down my brakes went out completely!!! The pedal had ZERO resistance and went straight to the floor board. I did all I could not to cause an accident and used the grass on the median plus my emergency brake to come to a stop. The auto body shop towed me back to there store. There was brake fluid all on the wheel well of the front driver side. The metal brake line seemed to have been pinched or cut and cause my brakes to go out. Anyone ever had this happen due to installing a 6” lift?

 

Who did the install?

 

An ASE certified auto body and off road shop.

 

They should be held accountable, they just wanted the money and probably rushed the job, and didn't tell you of the brake line

 

I have address this with the company. I did not post this thread for advice on how to deal with the auto body shop. Was I inquiring about anyone having same issues with lifting and bigger tires. Maybe certain lift size and tires possibly causes rubbing or something like that.

 

Nope, bought mine used, 6" RC lift as well, zero issues, no rub

 

Jesus. That is pure error on the shop that did the install. This is why I do all my own work.

 

Also depending on your wheel offset is and wheel spacers

 

I am really surprised that any modern automotive brake system is allowed to have total loss of brake function from a fluid leak at one wheel.

In 1967, the Federal government mandated that all cars have dual master cylinders to separate braking into a front system and a rear system, avoiding a total loss of braking. I have wondered how that functionality is maintained within ABS controllers that may have to brake a front wheel and a rear wheel simultaneously. With coordinated braking needed on all four wheels for ABS and traction control, it appears the earlier government mandate of having at least some brakes all the time has been sacrificed for intelligent application under normal conditions.

Since I have had the experience of a brake line failure on a pre-mandate vehicle (single master cylinder), I can relate to the dismay of trying to get a vehicle stopped without brakes. That particular vehicle also had an issue with the accelerator linkage falling off a big 4 barrel carb, and the throttle plates being spring loaded for WOT. You had to think fast when your Chebby suddenly, without warning, started toward red line. You can't continue accelerating, and you can't depress the clutch (at no load, you will red line fast). Solution developed under extreme stress: Turn off the switch and coast to a stop. I'll bet few owners had the presence of mind in that situation.

 

Sorry I’m not familiar with Toyota’s braking system but I know with mine the regular brakes are separated from the ABS . In the owners manual it explains that in the event your brakes go out ( due to extreme off-roading) the ABS will act as your regular brakes so you can get in to the dealer .

 

You don't have that issue if the person installing the lift is not a complete IDIOT! I haven't read the whole string but I'm guessing they didn't install the requisite brake line extensions. Glad you are ok. S**t could have gotten out of control.

 

It is the small metal OEM line behind the caliper. It looked like it was pinched or something. Brake fluid squirted out when I applied pressure on the pedal. This metal line had nothing to do with the lift line extension.

 

Yea, someone made a boo boo when they installed your lift. All of that stuff is moved /relocated when they install your lift. If I was a betting man I would say that when they took the front end apart they wire or zip tied the brake caliper assembly out of the way and maybe used too much force when moving it around and pinched that line. Your damn lucky it didn’t turn out worse for you. I have or had lifted many vehicles in my lifetime. I’m always paranoid about the brakes, steering, etc. hopefully this will be your only issue, but I’d be looking that lift and components real close .... and also making sure you retourque or have someone check the wheel lugs... ask me how I know about that...

 

Hammerdog thank you for the reply. You’re absolutely right about relocating the brakes/caliper. I did a 2 1/2 level on my RAM and used bungee cords to hold it up. Had a 6” lift “professionally” installed on my new Tundra. I am very lucky I was able to think quickly and use the median, grass and emergency brake to get to safety.