Extracting Brake Fluid from Master Cylinder

[aa040371]

This may only apply to Gen-4 4-Runners (which I have)? Not sure...

I notice that pretty much all How-Tos and guides for flushing/replacing brake fluid start with extracting as much of the old fluid from the master cylinder as possible through typical means like a turkey baster. In my Gen 4, though, there is a plastic funnel/filter/whatever that is essentially a choke point or obstacle that make it almost impossible to get any more than an ounce or so. Is this thing removable, or if not is there a typical/usual workaround? Thanks...

 

[riceandpho]

the fastest way, is have someone step on the brakes with key in on position, the pump will turn on for the rears, bleed/flush those first, but at the same time have someone under the hood to check on the level, once it hits minimum line, stop bleeding, then fill with fresh fluid and start again. bleed/flush the rear pass side then go to driver side. this way you'll have fresh fluid in the reservoir, it works for me. but you can also use vacuum method. just be sure to keep the reservoir full at all times.

 

[aa040371]

the fastest way, is have someone step on the brakes with key in on position...

This describes basic flush process, which isn't really what I was asking about.

 

[riceandpho]

you can remove that screen and try to use a small hose to suck the fluid out. its been a while since i did mines.

 

[aa040371]

you can remove that screen and try to use a small hose to suck the fluid out. its been a while since i did mines.

Is yours a Gen4? If so are you saying you have removed that filter on yours before? Reason I am asking is that I tried tugging/twisting gently and then semi-gently on mine with no lock. The thing I am talking about looks less like a filter and more like a plastic cone, actually.

 

[Hungryhawk]

Can you provide photo of the cone/filter thing causing the restriction?

 

[riceandpho]

Is yours a Gen4? If so are you saying you have removed that filter on yours before? Reason I am asking is that I tried tugging/twisting gently and then semi-gently on mine with no lock. The thing I am talking about looks less like a filter and more like a plastic cone, actually.

you just put your fingers in and twist the filter and at the same time, you lift it up. I have a 2007 model, same as yours I would think.

if you have a vacuum bleeder, I would do the driver front. just make sure to get it close to the Min line, then add new fluid. stop making it more difficult than it already is.

driver front will get most fluid out fast, then do the traditional way with new fluid, less chance of old fluid in the system.

 

[aa040371]

you just put your fingers in and twist the filter and at the same time, you lift it up. I have a 2007 model, same as yours I would think.

Thanks...I'll try again with a little more force, I guess. It just didn't seem to want to give on previous tries to the point I was scared of snapping something.

Can you provide photo...?

yep:

Dropbox

edit: Well, I tried. There seems to be something stoooopid going on with the "image" button and subsequent uploading image from URL provided...whatever. But URL without image tags at least displays and can be used to get to the pic. Although pic may not be very useful, IMO.