Can you bleed the brakes with the wheels still on?

[Utopia]

So I got the truck back from the shop today after a new wheel bearing and a daystar lift and the brakes are really spongy. I am guessing they did not bleed the system. Can this be done without taking the front wheels off? Just trying to figure out how much time to allow for when I take it back.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Sure... we do it all the time at work.

I actually made a pressure bleeder/flush kit.

 

[Utopia]

Just trying to decide if I should take it back to the shop that did the work or just take it to Toyota who I trust. I guess I trust the shop that did the work too.

 

[CXS]

I'm wondering why the lift and bearing would have any effect on the brakes?

 

[mrwinkle13]

Sure... we do it all the time at work.

I actually made a pressure bleeder/flush kit.

Could you elaborate please?

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Could you elaborate please?

I bought a Motive Power Bleeder from Amazon (just got the cheapest one, the adapter doesn't matter):

The BrakeMate Jr. we had at my old dealership came with really nice quality adapters made by Power Probe, if used correctly you won't have any leaks at the master cylinder unless you're trying to push 40psi (I wouldn't push more than 30psi max anyways).

So I also bought a Power Probe BA10 Toyota Adapter:

Then it's a matter of hitting the hardware store for a ball valve and quick disconnect coupler so you can disconnect the tank from the adapter without a big mess. It works really well, I picked up a little bleeder bottle from amazon with a rubber nipple to go on brake bleeder valves. I think all in all with the bleeder bottle and fittings from the hardware store I probably spent around $100~120; it's a bit pricey for something you might only use once in a blue moon; but it's a great affordable tool for me at work considering that I'd have to shell out over $2,000 just to get a BrakeMate Jr. machine like my old dealer had.



Later down the road I'll get a regulator and a second valve to convert it so it will run off shop air at 20~30psi so I don't have to pump it up by hand.

I'll snag a picture of my set-up tomorrow at work when I get a chance.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Sorry, forgot to snap a picture yesterday.

Here's the current version of my setup at work: