3rd Generation Brake Bleeding for Dummies (Me)

I have never had so much trouble bleeding brakes on a vehicle in my 30 or so years of working on cars! Through a few upgrades I have yet to figure out the correct process in doing this. I have looked all over the Googles and one thread says one thing, and another says something different. Or someone says, well this is what worked for me....

Background: 2017 TRD Sport 4x4. I have a factory service manual. I have an Autel scanner that cycles the ABS pump (I think). None of these have helped. I still have a firm pedal when the truck is off, but sinks slowly to the floor when the truck is started. This says to me that there's air in the ABS pump.

What I'm looking for is the CORRECT process for bleeding the brakes on this truck. An answer from a Toyota tech or an independent shop would be glorious. Thanks!

 

can't imagine its much different from this

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPEp5wpgPcw&t=272s

 

Sinking to the floor is * not* normal but the pedal getting softer after you start the truck is the vacuum brake booster doing its job. The booster should hold a few pumps until the pedal gets firm again with the engine off.

Edit: just added not normal lol. Pedal should not sink to the floor.

 

It is. If it were that I would've never had an issue. Your OR is super easy from what I've read.

 

It's not the vacuum booster. I know what that feels like. This is far far from the first brake system I've bled. There's a different process for the truck. Just no one can agree on what it is.

 

What i have done when i cant get the abs pump to actuate on some vehicles is go on a dirt road and make the abs do its job, then rebleed. Also some abs modules have a bleeder valve, but havent always been successful with it.

If the pedal is still sinking to the floor after all that, it sounds like an internal leak in the master cyl.

 

this same scenario plays out with the 2nd GEN trucks too, took mine to a dealer with a BG brake bleeding machine, $128 later I was finally satisfied with the brake pedal feel

 

That's worked for me on this truck in the past, but this time it's not happening. Cycled the pump six or so times. That's why I'm looking for the correct process.

Fairly certain it's not the master cylinder. It's a few months old. Doesn't mean it couldn't be, but I'm going to rule it out right now. Especially because it was fine before this round of needing to bleed.

 

Think I saw your original post. If I have to do this I will.

 

I would take it to a dealer and have them bleed the abs module. A friend of mine had bleeding issues, tried the whole "actuate abs and rebleed" and none of it worked. Had a shop with the capability bleed it and good as new.

 

I'm leaning heavily toward this, Randy. At least I have a nice CMC!

 

I was going bananas bleeding, rebleeding, rebleeding 5-6 times the old pump pedal way saw no bubbles but had spongey feel, this was after I changed out my front pads, all of a sudden spongey brake pedal. search Spongy brakes in the 2nd gen forum you can read the many sagas of the occurance its very common

 

Oh, I've read them all. Why can't they just keep stuff simple? Got this truck because I thought it'd be easy to work on like my old Camry.

 

The newer the vehicle the harder it is to work on. With added features comes added complexity. I never would imagine a truck with all these gizmos (auto LSD) would be easy to work on.

 

I have never figured out why this occurs with the brakes and I don't think anyone has really figured out what the fix is, unless you try an ABS bleed that would also cost about $130 at a Dealership and its a shot in the dark too. I took my truck to a Toyota dealership and told a Tech to test drive my truck and tell me if the brakes feel soft, he took off screeched the brakes at stops came back and said its normal and he has the same truck and the brakes are the same on his. Took it to another Toyota Dealer(couldn't live with it) and paid for a Power bleed and Im realitively satisfied afterwards IMO they are still a little softer than I prefer

 

Ever adjusted the rear drums? A lot of folks don't realize you're supposed to adjust till the drum drags a little.

 

My dealer charged $90 for a brake fluid flush...worth it IMO...I absolutely hate bleeding brakes.

 

Ditto.

 

yes, I did all the normal checks and adjustments before falling on the sword and took it in, if you decide on the ABS bleed when you go to the Toyota dealership look at the service reps face when you tell them your truck needs the abs bled because of soft brake pedal, they will test drive it and tell u alls normal with the brakes cause they really have few techs that can operate the techstream to activate the abs solenoid and bleed properly

 

only thing is tho they call the pump hold pump method a flush , its best to find a dealer or place that uses a BG machine flush its sucks all 4 cylinders at once and will suck the brass off a door knob and get all the air completely out.