Brakes Mushy after Front Strut Replacement

Hi All,

I completed a front strut assembly replacement and brakes are mushy particularly while in park, brake pedal can be pushed to the floor. During the replacement I removed the stabilizer bark link to frame and re-torqued to 89ftlbs. Removed Upper Ball joint knut and re-torqued to 81ftlbs. Removed both upper and lower strut mounts to replace the strut. I also disconnected and replaced the ABS cable. No visual leaks in the brake lines and I'm not receiving any ABS or brake system warning lights.

What I'm trying to figure out is how I suddenly have mushy brakes. I don't think I put too much pressure on the brake line. Maybe a little on the ABS line at one point. I'm thinking air got introduced into the brake line at some point but no idea how. Leak checked last night and this morning everything looks clean. Taking it in today but want to get thoughts on what I could have done wrong. Thanks!

This is on a 2014 Tundra SR5

 

You may want to bleed your brakes, if you suspect air in the lines, then you should bleed them at the minimum. When you replaced your ABS line did you unplug the battery??

 

Thanks for the reply. Everything points to air in the brake line just unsure how swapping struts could have caused it. I didn't remove the battery connector, was following the instructions that came with the struts and it didn't say that I needed to, but good point I probably should have done that. I'm not receiving any ABS or warning lights though. Drove the truck around last night, stops just fine when driving, still mushy but definitely don't have to go past halfway on the brake pedal to come to a full stop. But in park I can push the pedal to the floor.

 

If you shut off the truck, leaving it in accessory and pump the brake does it stiffen?? This may be an indication that the brake lines are good, and the mushiness may be the ABS sensor needing time to self bleed. Never had the need to replace an ABS line, but this will give you a sorta baseline on what else to look for.

 

Yep, pedal is definitely stiff with the truck off.

I was actually hesitant to remove the ABS plug during install but I figure if I didn't I was just being lazy and would mess around and snap the line while pressing down to remove the coil. Ok that's a good start, that's obviously the only brake related thing that I messed with, when you say self bleed is that something that would just correct itself after a bit? Still taking it in today, headed to Colorado to test out the new struts so want to make sure everything is safe.

 

Yes, I do believe these new ABS systems do a self bleed, meaning you don't have to do anything to it, it should adjust accordingly, Taking it in is still definitely a good move to get that warm and fuzzy in case it needs to be programmed for whatever reason.. safety is paramount..

 

Absolutely, thank you for your time!

 

you're welcome

 

So the good news, Toyota tech told me the strut job was fine, alignment was good with the exception of one of my rear tires which they were able to clean up with the alignment. He said the brakes felt normal to him and were nothing of concern. After driving it around yesterday I also thought they felt the same as before and I didn't really notice until after doing some work on the truck (likely b/c I'm looking for issues). Gonna give them a bleed still just to make sure they're good but everything checks out!

 

I fall down this hole every now and then and second guess my work, just to find out everything is good. Glad to know your stuff is good to go.