Brake bleeding

2015 Tacoma. I just had my brakes flushed? whatever that means, by an independent shop. I asked if they had tickled the abs system. Was told the fluid in the system had been flushed through the ABS valve and told there was no need to exercise the ABS valve.
Now the brake peddle is very mussy but the brakes seem to work OK but the peddle drops nearly to the floor.
What happened and how do I correct it?

 

Sounds like the shop got air in the lines.

If the place has the ability to run the ABS during the flush, that certainly helps, but simply getting new fluid in there is a huge improvement on its own. I believe a OBD computer like TechStream is needed to activate the ABS during a bleed.

 

This is how i do it at our Shop...if its mushy somethings wrong.
https://youtu.be/8Yp-WKUAYSM?si=zi3oosDNC6Kq5LBt

 

Very much like the way I did my gravity feed/bleed method when I changed out the brake fluid on my truck. Simple one man job.

 

They did a poor job of bleeding the brakes. If they argue with you about that, I would take it somewhere else. If they can't bleed brakes, that is a red flag for sure to stay away from that shop.

 

If you have model with the electronic ABS system and VCS Trac bleeding is often done incorrectly.
Turn key on and listen for the booster motor to cycle and turn off (system now pressurized).
Pump pedal a few times then push down slightly as you bleed.
(note to do alone pressurize the system, turn key off, and do each wheel repressurizing between each- it works and you won't drain the system or trigger a lockout)
Crack open to bleed one at a time each starting at rears (it will come out fast so do not let the master cyl drain or the ABS module will get air in it.
Do all 4 and test again. This all assumes you have no other brake issues.
Use DOT 3-4 fluid full synthetic such as Valvoline.

 

Hope you figured your issue out!

Thinking of flushing my brakes VIA overfilling the reservoir and pressing out with the pedal wheel to wheel at each bleeder screw. Is this mothed going to be problematic in anyone's experience? Nervous after reading about potential ABS issues...

This worked great on my honda...
https://www.google.com/search?q=flu...ate=ive&vld=cid:9618be8f,vid:n1NvtUwfRJc,st:0

 

Problem fixed. Took it back the shop that did the work and after a test drive and some explaining they re flushed the brakes and the pedal feel and travel are now
what they should be.
Was impressed with their willingness to make it right.
Thanks for the responses.

 

Still kind of jacked up that a shop would let a customer drive away with air in the brake lines!!

 

Glad you got it fixed.

 

It’s great to see you’re fixed. It truly sucks not being able to stop.

I gotta give a thumbs up to your shop for doing the right thing and making it right. Not all will. Sure they shouldn’t have made a mistake in the first place but it happens, even to advanced techs.

 

Not sure if this works on Tacomas. On Toyota Land Cruisers if you trigger the abs pump it pushes any air out of it.

The easy way, without a proper scan tool, is 2 tires on pavement, 2 tires on a dirt patch. Slam the brakes hard enough to initiate the abs to kick in. Have done it many times.

 

Apparently, that’s the same way to activate the Tacoma’s ABS unit.