I have searched, but most of the posts refer to using the flush machine. I would like to know if there are any alternatives to doing an entire brake system flush without using the machine. If so, how would I go about doing so. Is 3 12oz bottles enough to do an entire flush? From reading other posts, I am going to use DOT3 fluid. If I don't use Toyota fluid, what would you guys recommend? Thanks Yotatechies!

 

You might want to sniff over my website for some info.

Gadget

 

Can I ask why?

 

You can put something under the pedal so it doesn't exceed normal travel, which is a good amount with the weak 4Runner breaks. Then do the 'ol break pedal method.

 

Why what?

 

Why would you change your Brake Fluid?

 

Because over time the seals wear in the MC and calipers, causing the fluid to turn black. Crud starts to build up in the reservoir and lines. Not only that but brake fluid picks up moisture, which decreases its effectiveness. In a nutshell, old brake fluid increases the chances of seal failure and decreased braking ability (see foaming). Hope that helps.

 

But its a 99
Seems a bit premature. Guess its a piece of mind thing.

http://www.brakesafely.com/brake_flush.htm

 

True, but we don't know his mileage or brake use. I guess that would help.

 

I thought brake fluid was a 2 year thing? 1999 would be coming up on the 3rd change!

 

A 99 means the fluid is 5 years old already. Brake fluid can reach the maximum water contamination after only 2 years. Apart from the lower boiling point more water means more chance of corrosion in the calipers.

I change mine every 2 years, it's cheap and, with the Motive bleeder, easy to do.

 

Another option for you - I just did mine with a MightyVac. The buddy-pedal-up-down-up-down-up-@#$%-down method didn't work so well. The Mightyvac worked great. But if I hadn't wanted a mighty vac for the other things it does, I would have gotten a pressure bleeder machine - I've seen em work and it makes it mighty easy. I bought the rebuildable MV unit at Harbor Freight for $30.

By the way, I had fresh clear fluid coming out of all 5 bleeders, and pulled out a couple extra ounces at each just for good measure, and used almost an entire 32 oz bottle of DOT3.

 

Hey eric, just noticed your location. I spent more than one long afternoon trying to drive the one mile across the Port Man Bridge... LOL.

 

That is one of the main reason's I bought the house in PoCo, could have saved some money buying in Surrey or Langley, but the thought of having to cross that bridge twice a day

 

Thanks!, Thats exactly what I was looking for!

 

I did the flush Saturday using the brake pedal method. Not bad at all, though time consuming. I ended up using 2 12oz bottles of Toyota Fluid. The braking seems smoother now than before. Maybe its just me??? To date at 65K miles here is what has been done:

Tranny Flush/Fluid Change
Diff Fluid Change
Air Filter
PCV Valve
Plugs
Brake Fluid Flush
Radiator Drain, Flush and Fill
Switched to Mobil1 Synthetics for all fluids (except Brake Fluid)