As if you REALLY needed a reason to flush your brake fluid!!!

[MrBobDobalina]

Wow, so I am getting through some much needed maintenance, I have gotten everything done I have needed with the help of this forum!!!

Right now I am flushing the brake fluid!! I started with my Mityvac and attempted to pump all the old fluid I could from the master cylinder. There is an area that is hard to wedge the hose in and this thing is filthy!! As you can see from my pictures, I may have to just remove the master all together and clean it out....There is a film on the sides even after its been mostly emptied. Also, I am not experiencing any braking issues that I am aware of. I don't really ever have sudden stops, but overall it seems to stop very well...Maybe after new fluid and cleaning out about a pound of brake dust from the rear drums will make them even better!!

So it looks like I can remove just the res, but anyone have any tips for getting it all cleaned out once I do? I am not sure I want to use any abrasive chemical cleaners on the plastic...Maybe just some simple green and water and then let it dry 110% before I fill it?? I also have an air compressor I can blow through it to get any left over moisture if you think this is the best way...

And now the goods!!

BTW - I just bought this truck in the last few months - some of the neglect was NOT on my part She's in good hands now!!!

 

[Singtoe]

Stick the reservoir in the dishwasher. I will come out spanking clean.

 

[bikerjosh]

Stick the reservoir in the dishwasher. I will come out spanking clean.

That would be another thing I do when the GF isn't home. She tends to get a little tense when she finds car parts in the kitchen appliances dish washer, oven, freezer . LOL

 

[cfranck1]

You can pull the center piece out. Its just a little strainer

 

[MrBobDobalina]

Stick the reservoir in the dishwasher. I will come out spanking clean.

I was going to make a comment similar to the one below

That would be another thing I do when the GF isn't home. She tends to get a little tense when she finds car parts in the kitchen appliances dish washer, oven, freezer . LOL

Totally on point with this one!! haha.

You can pull the center piece out. Its just a little strainer

Well this thing is just so nasty, it looks like the filter/strainer is still in there, but it is out

 

[MrBobDobalina]

Updated pictures and progress

Okay, so I manged to pull off the master cylinder reservoir. I cleaned it out with pure simple green and it seemed to clean it up pretty good. I filled with new fluid and proceeded with the brake flush....What came out was NASTYYYYYYYY! I flushed the brake lines with my Mityvac, but the pedal is still a little soft after 2 full 4-wheel bleeds....So I will wait for my girl to come home so she can assist me the old school way and bleed them a 3rd time. Other wise the brake system is much better off!!

Nice and clean!!

Looks soooo clear now!! haha

Now that is some gross brake fluid, surprised I could still stop!!!

 

[bak3rme]

man this means i gotta hop on and do mine. You got any write ups on doing the flush and all ? that reminds me to do my rear brakes as well

 

[Nelsonmd]

Dude, that brake fluid is TERRIBLE! My 4runner doesnt' seem to have been maintained by PO's, and even it wasn't nearly that bad.

 

[cfranck1]

Got to love brake fluid and its hygroscopic (absorb moisture from the atmosphere) properties.

Its that bad probably because its original to the truck. Suppose to change brake fluid ever 2 years.

 

[MrBobDobalina]

man this means i gotta hop on and do mine. You got any write ups on doing the flush and all ? that reminds me to do my rear brakes as well

Its pretty straight forward, similar to any other car from that year or before...here is a link I found on this forum - Toyota 4Runner Brake Fluid Flush Good luck!!

Dude, that brake fluid is TERRIBLE! My 4runner doesnt' seem to have been maintained by PO's, and even it wasn't nearly that bad.

I know crazy right?? Odd thing is that the truck is very well maintained in every other respect. The brakes have even been done before, pads are new.

Got to love brake fluid and its hygroscopic (absorb moisture from the atmosphere) properties.

Its that bad probably because its original to the truck. Suppose to change brake fluid ever 2 years.

Yea I have always been on this with my vehicles, not sure what the PO was thinking or not thinking. As I mentioned above, PO gave me a bunch of receipts since he owned it for PM, tune ups, service, etc. Obviously nothing that said brake flush anytime in the last few years. Just glad I got it done before I had a major accident.

 

[bak3rme]

um.....speaking of routinely brake fluid change.....i think its been like 5 years or so since i've had it done??? i know for sure the last past 2 years it wasn't done at all.

thanks for the link on the write up. however i'm gunna have to old skool it and have someone pump on brakes and stuff while someone is underneath..however i need someone to do it with me since i really dont know yet the basic of it.

 

[MrBobDobalina]

um.....speaking of routinely brake fluid change.....i think its been like 5 years or so since i've had it done??? i know for sure the last past 2 years it wasn't done at all.

thanks for the link on the write up. however i'm gunna have to old skool it and have someone pump on brakes and stuff while someone is underneath..however i need someone to do it with me since i really dont know yet the basic of it.

Its really not hard at all, you will see. If someone is helping you pump while you bleed you will be fine. Basically you want someone in the car to pump 4 times and then on the 5th they need to press and hold, but at the same time you need to open the bleed valve a just a bit for a few seconds, then close while the pedal is still being held down to the floor. Repeat until clear fluid comes out. Starting with Pass Rear-Driver Rear-Pass Front-Driver Front.

 

[kakarot]

MrBobDobalina,
Okay, so I manged to pull off the master cylinder reservoir.

Any special tools to removed the reservoir or did you just pull it out by hand, do I have to be careful when removing the reservoir please explain how you removed the reservoir.
Thanks