brake fluid change

[WaterMan]

Which is the more widely used method of changing brake fluid in your 4Runner?

- Vacuum (draw fluid through bleeder valve)
- Pressure (force fluid through reservoir)
- Old School (two person, pump brakes and open/close bleeder valve)

And how often are you doing it?
-Every year
-Every 2 years
-Every 3 years
-longer

Just curious. When I went to the dealer last time, I asked how much they charge for this service and they said $100.

Seriously?

 

[kn38ms]

I replace mine around 30-36K miles.
Thats usually when the fluid starts to really darken.
Pressure bleed performed by my Local Toyota dealer for under a $100 bucks.

 

[<<<<]

I changed my Accords fluid only in overfill reservoir ( Just more frequently). Not the best way but quick ang cheap. After old and new fluids mix change again, which will give you about 75% new fluid. But of course you can do it right by bleeding and all. If you ask me: I don't much like to play with Paint Remover.

 

[Methodical]

That's not true really....

The reservoir for brake fluid is one-way. When fluid goes in, it doesn't really come out except in microscopic quantities. The reason this is, is because it's only there to add fluid to the system as the brake pads wear and the caliper pistons move farther in. When this happens the capacity in the caliper increases, needing more brake fluid.

This is why you shouldn't top off your brake reservoir. As long as your sure your not leaking fluid, it's a good indicator of how much brake pad you've got left.

When the pads are replaced, all that extra fluid you added will have to be removed while pushing the caliper pistons back in.

without flushing the calipers and lines, all the dirtyness stays in there.