Brake fluid change method(s)

Hello All:

To change the brake fluid on a 2014 Sport Tacoma 4x4. Do I need to buy a vacuum pump bleeder? Last time I did this (my old Saturn), I just pumped the brake pedal, but was warned against this with newer vehicles.

 

you would be better served with a pressure bleeder where the fluid is forced through the system, less likely to get air bubbles in the system.

 

In many cases I suspect a pressure bleeder works on 2nd Gen Tacomas. Some of the later models in the 2nd Gen class may bear consideration.

Cut-n-pasted from the Motive Products web site:

Toyota and Lexus- The majority of Toyotas and Lexus models use a reservoir cap that is a push to seal cap. It doesn't screw on or twist to lock. Some Toyotas and Lexus use a cap that has two locking tabs that engage inside the reservoir neck. Both of these types of caps will need to use the Universal Round kit 0101 with adapter 1101. Note - if the reservoir is under the cowl the 1101 will not work. Also some Toyota and Lexus use an integrated master cylinder abs unit where the ABS unit is either directly below the master cylinder or attached to the side. We do not have a kit that works with those vehicles.

 

too bad you are a sport..... 09+ TRD OR 4x4's have it easy..... we have our electric pump in our master cylinder. Literally crack the bleeder screw, push the pedal down a smidge, and the electric pump will pump fluid till you let up on your foot.

For you, ye-ole, put pressure, crack bleeder, close bleeder, let up pedal is going to do the trick. You could do pressure as well, but both will acomplish the same thing. Never been a fan of vacuum from the caliper / drum as this usually pulls in air from the threads of the bleeder screw.

 

Really? Wow I thought the electric brake boost was going to make bleeding more of a PITA.

 

Oh nope just the opposite. Probably the easiest brake bleeding experience you could possibly imagine.

Hell if you have the right cable and software (like i do) you can hook up your laptop to the truck, have the laptop next to you, click "Bleed brakes" and the ECU will run the hyrdo pump till you tell it to stop or it reaches its max pressure. Litearlly, crack bleeder, click bleed on the laptop, wait for clean fluid to come out, close bleeder and the pump will go until it goes to max pressure and then it stops. Makes it a one person job.

 

What cable and software do you have?

 

techstream cable and techstream software

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1PC-Mini-VC...:g:DOIAAOSwG-1WzrAm&item=222033589552&vxp=mtr


Thats the style of cable, and the techstream software you can find online... its just a mater of getting it all setup.

 

Pressure bleeders work, i use it on my 2010 off road. Comes with all adapters. Dont waste your money on a vacuum bleeder, tech stream is only needed if you introduce air into the system.

 

wrap ye - ole bleeder screw with some teflon plumbers tape... problem solved. obviously dont wrap end of bleeder or the hole in it !!

 

Brake fluid seems to eat through the teflon tape i have found.