Loose brake pedal? Need help urgently!

[nchanted1]

Hey everyone!

I'm kinda new here. I have a 1994 Corolla Sprinter (which I love, except for the fact that my third power wondow has died, grrr).

Anyways, having lurked here for a bit, everyone seems nice and helpful, so I thought maybe you can help me. I'm looking to purchase a Corolla for my mum. I have found one which I test drove on Friday (private seller). It's a 2002 Corolla Conquest hatch, automatic. The car has driven 130,000km and was recently serviced, was a demo car and one owner from new.

Everything seems well except for one thing which is worrying me. When I went to apply the brake, just as I'm about to engage it, the brake pedal seems to be loose, as if I could jiggle it before actually applying pressure. It's not alot, perhaps a few millimetres. My friend's mum has an 06 Corolla Ascent Sport and it definitely does not do that on her car.

Is this a big problem or would it only involve some tightening? The other thing I noticed was that when I applied the brake, there was a brake squeal so I would need to change the brakes... but I wouldn't think that would affect the loose brake pedal? I'm taking my mum to see the car on Tuesday as I really like it besides what has been mentioned.

Any help at all would be greatly appreciated as we've been looking for ages to find a car we can afford. I hope it's nothing major. :)

[CHA54]

you can adjust the freeplay amount by using the length adjustment on the brake master cylinder up under the dash at the pedal box.

Edited June 22, 2008 by rollamods

[MT]

My brother has the exact same car (except manual), and the same amount of kilometres and there's no problems.

[nchanted1]

Is it freeplay though? It feels as though the actual pedal is loose. I've driven two Corollas of the same generation and neither of them have it. The others feel tight and how it's suppose to be. Even if it is freeplay, how did it become loose in the first place? I just don't want to be stuck with repair bills no matter how bulletproof a Corolla is. Sorry if I'm asking alot of questions but I just want to make sure.

Thanks for the replies! I really appreciate it.

[CHA54]

so it has sideways movement?

You can tighten the 14mm bolt at the top of the pedal (at the pivot point) to increase the pressure on the bush so there's more resistance in the pedal...

[nchanted1]

Hmm. I'm going to inspect it better when I test drive it again. I'll talk to the guy and see whether he can tighten it up for me. See how that goes. I hope we get the car!

Thanks rollamods for your help :D