mkgarrison5

hey guys so i changed my front pads and the brakes still arent that great. After further thought i really think it maybe the brake fluid also. it hasnt been changed since i bought it over 50k miles ago (2.5 years or less).. in order for me to atleast try and mark this off my list i have a few questions..

1. how do you get the brake fluid out of the master cylinder? i was told you can siphon it out and replace the fluid. I am assuming thats the brake fluid resevoir? or not?

2. silly question but i am new to brakes.. how do you properly bleed the brakes on an 02 tacoma? front and back. I have read in many places that brake fluid really doesnt circulate therefore the brake fluid that is in my lines may very well be over 60k miles old or older..

please correct me if i am wrong on this stuff and some tips would be great! thanks fellas

vegaskurt

You would start at the passenger rear, then drivers rear, then passenger front then drivers front for bleeding. If you got $50 to spend get a motive pressure bleeder and you can do it by yourself in 10 minutes.

Other wise just get a buddy to pump the brakes as you bleed and top of the master cylinder after each tire. Keep opening/closing the bleeder valve on each wheel till you see nice new clean fluid comes out.

mkgarrison5

second silly question.. exactly where are the bleeders located? i never have messed with brakes. i can do waterpumps, etc etc but brakes--- no idea lol.. thanks for bearing with me here guys

mkgarrison5

also do you do this with the truck on or off?

Ultraman V

The truck does not have to be running to do the brakes.

Also, one thing to warn against.....be very carefull with an open ended box wrench on the bleeder nipples, they can strip very easily. It's best to get a brake line wrench, it's like a cross between an open ended wrench and a closed one.

One other thing, do a few google's on brake bleeding, there is a lot of good step-by step methods available.

MTL_4runner

Answers in red above.

mkgarrison5

i have disc brakes in the front and drums in the back. you cant bleed the rear brakes right? atleast it didnt say anything in the 4x4 write up you posted jamie. also what did you mean by not allowing the brake to hit the floor and to keep it in its normal range? i assume you mean for me to close the bleeder before the pedal hits the floor? sorry guys i am learning about brakes. normally i have buddies that do it but they have moved away for jobs and etc so i am stuck all alone lol :-\ ... thanks fellas!

Bighead

Yes, you can bleed the rear drums. If you look at the inside of the drum, you will see the bleeder valve probably covered with a black rubber cap.

Try this write-up and see if it makes more sense... Brake Bleeding

mkgarrison5

gotcha... i doubt ill buy a bleeder since i would on do this once ever few years or when i get the brakes done. thanks guys... any particular brand of brake fluid you guys use?

hross14

[SIZE="4"]SERIOUS NEWS FLASH*******[/SIZE]

I saw these bleeder screws at the O'Rieley/Autozone that have a check valve in them. Unscrew them so far out and it acts like a Check valve. you can pump the brakes and air wont get into the system. ALL BY YOURSELF.

I was kinda giggly like a school girl when i saw them because i like to change my B.F. at least yearly. Is that OCD? HAHa--

Just thought i would share--i thought it was exciting

mjwalfredo

Awesome, I know my girlfriend will appreciate this announcement

mkgarrison5

BF as in boyfriend?? hahahaha sorry i had to :-).. thanks man ill check into those. i hope they arent pieces of like most things from that store

hross14

I hope not either--i have yet to use them--but if you use yours first--tell us how they work out. It is a great concept though