Bleeding the master cylinder when empty

I busted a wheel cylinder and lost all my brake fluid. I have to change the wheel cylinder and while I'm back there I'll do the other side and shoes on both sides too since I'm there.

I have bled the brakes on this truck before to flush the fluid, but I noticed in the service manual it cautions not to let the master cylinder go empty. It continues that if the M.C. is empty to bled that as well and the instructions for doing so are through Techstream. Does anyone know if there is a way to bleed the master cylinder without Techstream?

 

@Bishop84

 

Yes especially with an off-road model.

I’d still try to go a full bleed, then gravity and bleed again to see if you can get a pedal. But there will be air in the accumulator and there isn’t a good way to get it out without a tech steam or scan tool with abs utilities.

 

Thank you. That was what I suspected. Assuming I can get a pedal, would it be safe to drive to the dealership or am I looking at a tow to Toyota?

 

I agree with what is said above. You will need either dealer style Tech Stream or something like an XTool D8 (~$600) to get this done properly.

 

Thanks. I think I might end up buying the XTool vs paying Toyota, especially if the truck would need to be towed there too.

 

I literally just bought one myself (the D8) and it is awesome. It has the ABS bleed built in, with detailed step by step directions, under the Special Functions menu.

 

You mean you can't just have the wife in the cab screaming "I'm tired of pumping this fucking brake pedal!"

Man, those were the good old day!

 

Thanks. I figure I’ll probably use it again and this time saves me the hassle of the dealer which I’m sure is going to charge $150 minimum then another $100 if I needed to tow it.
You’ve got this one? Did you use it to bleed the ABS? I’m unsure of the order of operations if it’s bleed the ABS first then the brakes or the other way around?

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lol myself and every one of my friends has a memory from childhood of helping their dad bleed the brakes, always a hot summer day, and getting yelled at by their old man.

 

Yes, I bought that exact unit.

No, I have not bled my ABS units with it yet.

 

Thanks. I’ll report back by the end of the week hopefully with good news

 

@Bishop84 one last question. What is the order of operations for bleeding the M.C. versus the lines? Do the M.C. first?

 

Start with gravity, all four at once if you can, then try to build up pressure, bleed at master, and any line you can get at.

It’s going be a fight. Lots of brake fluid and you may not win.

 

I ordered the XTool linked above to mimic Techstream. I would think the order would be to bleed the M.C. first before the lines.

 

Update. Yesterday I finished my rear brakes and bled the M.C. The XTool made it very easy. It wasn't obvious to me at first, although it is apparent if you ready the FSM carefully, that the M.C. is only bleed at the rear wheels. I ended up using the XTool to bleed the M.C., then all four wheels, then for quality control I bled the wheels again using the conventional method to ensure everything worked as excepted and I got no air in the lines.

If anyone in the NE needs help with something the XTool can do hit me up I'd be happy to help out!

 

Excellent news! Glad it worked for you. The tool paid for a decent chunk of itself right off of the bat.