Brake bleeding help

Thanks for the suggestion!

Would a Bluetooth OBDII and the torque app work to scan?

 

Only if it has abs auto bleed function

 

Do you mean if my truck has that function? I don't know if it does or not. How would I figure that out?

Also heres a comparison of the brake fluid as I flushed it out:



Looking at it again, I don't think the final fluid is totally clear, so I suppose it could be bled/flushed more.

 

Not your truck the OBD2 scanner. Autel MaxiCheck Pro Diagnostic Tool for ABS Brake Auto Bleed, Oil Service, ABS, SRS, BMS, DPF, EPB Service, SAS, Oil Light/Service Reset Scanner

$199 Autel MaxiCheck PRO Auto Bleed Scan Tool for ABS Brake Bleeding, OBD2 ABS SRS Diagnostic Scanner, Oil Reset, BMS, EPB, Airbag, SAS Services for Specific Vehicles Up to 2015, Lifetime Free Updates

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075ZLVXHY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_4rgDDb7KPDN3V
This one is example of a scanner with abs auto bleed function

 

https://youtu.be/fUqmBqYIEAE
This is a video of the maxis scanner accessing abs valves

 

Thanks man, that's helpful.

 

find a straight stretch of a gravel road, jam on the brakes but dont go real fast, keep it under 40...that will let you know the abs is working...

 

something to check:
if pedal will pump up after a couple strokes and you keep holding a heavy constant pressure, and it does not slowly sink to the floor the Master cyl is good. if pedal sinks to the floor MC is bad,
if you pump the pedal (say 3 times) and pedal comes up, but next time you apply its low again, look at adjusting the rear shoes, dead giveaway is pedal climbs up as you pump brakes, if brakes are adjusted properly the pedal will not "climb" as you pump. this can easily be confused with air in the system vs adjustment

all that being said if there is air in the system the pedal should feel like your stepping on a tennis ball.

 

So with the engine off and the key at ACC, it takes 3 pumps for the pedal to firm up to the top, and holding pressure on it, it doesn't compress or sink down any farther. Once I turn the engine on though, then the pedal sinks down about halfway. While driving, I can compress the pedal about halfway, and then the brakes engage, and though it (maybe) feels a little soft, it works as I would expect. I've driven about 50 miles with it like this, both on normal highway, city, and city/highway traffic. (In LA traffic, so there was plenty of getting cut off and having to brake suddenly)

 

dumb question maybe, but did you replace your rear shoes? If so, did you adjust them properly.

 

I didn't do any work on the rear brakes. but I suppose its possible that they came out of adjustment, when the brake line broke, causing all of this, I had to use the parking brake pretty heavily.

 

I didn't think Actron made a scanner that would activate the ABS solenoids - contacted them @ tech@actron.com. They are apparently owned by Bosch. The responder pointed me to 2 different OTC scanners which are part of the lineup this conglomerate offers. Not exactly priced for the DIY type. Pricing ranges from $2000.00 - $4400.00

- Encore 3893
- Evolve 3896

From what I have put together, the following are the what's in reach for some DIY types - one already mentioned:

- Autel Maxi Check Pro
- Foxwell NT630 Plus - there are different NT630 models. The "Plus" model supposedly handles newer vehicles.
- iCarsoft - they have a single brand scanner(Asian) and multi brand scanner(Asian/Domestic/European) - the multi brand unit comes with a caveat...something to the effect that not all auto mfgs. have provided a "key". They have a web site you can sift thru -> www.icarsoft.com

I noticed some reviews from Amazon that indicated some of these DIY ABS Bleed Tools did not work even though the seller had claimed they would. It's possible the buyer misunderstood.

For people with the electric unit that has the Master Cyl/ABS built in, look for the "flush" post by member Crom. No need for a gadget.

And of course there's always the pirated stuff the Chinese sell.

Proceed with caution

-

 

I just dropped off the truck to get an alignment and wheels balanced, and the shop also does brakes, so I told them to take a look at it and let me know what they think.

 

Thanks man, I'll keep this all in mind if I end up bleeding/cycling the ABS myself.

 

so the tech at the shop said there was nothing really "wrong" with the brakes. They're just a little squishy. So I guess there's just some air still in the system somewhere. Still considering picking up the ABS Auto-Bleeder and seeing if that works, or taking it to my usual mechanic when its time for an oil change, and having him flush out the whole system, and seeing if that improves it.

I supposed I could pick up the auto-bleeder, and if it works great, if not, return it and have my usual mechanic look over it.

 

That’s the good part of having Amazon. As long as you don’t buy from a third party seller they take almost anything back. No questions

 

OP was was your final outcome on this issue, did you purchase one of the OBD2 Scan tools that allows you to bleed the ABS?

Has anyone had success with either of the following two products with bleeding the ABS:

FOXWELL NT630 Plus OBD2 Scanner ABS SRS Code Reader Automotive OBD II SRS Airbag Diagnostic and ABS Brake Bleed Scan Tool:

$120 FOXWELL NT630 Plus OBD2 Scanner with ABS and SRS, 2025 ABS Scan Tool Bleeding Brake SRS Scanner Live Data, Car Code Reader Diagnostic Tool Bidirectional Scanner with SAS Oil Light

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CSMJJK9/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_8EPF8Q227W66PMR4X358

or

DIAGKING Mini Vci J2534 TIS Techstream Diagnostic Cable for Toyota Firmware V1.4.1:

DIAGKING Mini Vci J2534 TIS Techstream Diagnostic Cable for Toyota Firmware V1.4.1

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BCNPDDG/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_759ZQ59X3GVNNG021BVS?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

 

Funny timing on asking this, I actually ended up taking it to my mechanic last weekend, and have been meaning to update here... so thanks for the reminder!

I had him bleed the whole system, I don't think he bled the ABS, but he did bleed the Master Cylinder, and the lines. He said he pulled a decent amount of air out of the cylinder, and the lines. It does feel much less spongy.

Its still not "performance brake" levels of responsive, but definitely a big improvement.

 

Glad to hear it’s an improvement. I might pull the trigger on the FOXWELL NT630 Plus code reader , allegedly it’s capable of bleeding the ABS on the Tacoma and its $139 plus a $20 coupon, if it does what it says $119 tax ain’t bad.

https://www.foxwellstore.com/wholesale/foxwell-nt630-plus-abs-airbag-reset-tool.html