Loosing brake fluid. A lot of brake dust on front wheels. Changed pads before the brake light came on, which made me realize fluid was low. Now I practically have no brakes

Depending on the vehicle, the master cylinder may be leaking out the front seal into the power booster. Pull the master cylinder off the booster to see if it is leaking.

You need to ensure that you did not bump/move/disconnect any of the wheel sensors while you were installing the pads.

Phil: you probably got air into the power steering fluid assist piston. Try driving your car. The air should bubble up, keep adding the correct power steering fluid.

Hi Alicia,how is your brake fluid?Usually just changing front brake shoes requires no bleeding since the brake line was not open,how were your brakes before you changed the pads,if fluid is low,maybe back wheel cylinders are leaking.Front calibers could be bad,or even master cylinder,need more info.

The brake fluid is low due to pad wear.I would bleed the brakes right after you replace the pads

Sounds like it is just brake dust build up. The front brakes take most of the brunt when you stop so they wear down faster and emit more brake dust. I would check for any brake leaks though just to be safe.

Normally when the brake pedal goes almos to the floor it is an indication of low brake fluid. Low brake fluid is an indication that front and/or rear brakes are wearing. As the brake pads wear down more brake fluid will be required in the wheel cylinders or calipers. Hint, the front brakes usually wear much faster than the rear due to the fact that the fronts due a much greater braking function that the rear. Check the front pads. Don't let them get down to the metal scraping metal stage before you change them out. This causes unnessary damage to the rotors. Look at your master cylinder on the firewall under the hood in front of the steering wheel. If the fluid level is belowhte "max" mark add fluid. Low fliud should also show as a red "brake" light on your dash, but not always.

Have you checked the brake fluid level?

Check your brake fluid level in the reservoir; some Toyotas have wheel cylinder sensors; some Toyotas have master cylinder sensors; you also have a sensor on the parking brake and on the brake pedal inside the cab. Check all that.

Look at the master cylinder fluid level. If it is low, the red brake lamp will come on. Note that as the front brake pads wear, the brake fluid level will drop proportionally. If the fluid level is indeed low, you may need front brake pads, Unless you have a lot of miles on it, I doubt that you will need rear brake shoes. Also, if the fluid is low, don't add any. When you DO have to replace the pads, the additional fluid will be forced out of the cylinder and get all over your engine compartment under the master cylinder area . Brake fluid will eat the paint. Check the brake pads, replace them if the pad material is worn.