Not sure if it’s my imagination, but I recently attempted a brake fluid flush and everything seemed to go just fine. Reservoir never went empty and I didn’t think I let any air in.
But now I suspect brakes aren’t working the same as before. Could be my imagination, but they just don’t feel as immediate/responsive. Fluid isn’t leaking on garage floor either, and reservoir is at the top indicator.
Where could I have gone wrong, and how can I attempt to fix? 21 Tacoma if that’s any help, thanks.
More than likely you damaged the master cylinder seals.
Congrats for having the courage in attempting one of the trickier DIY car maintenance tasks. As a young guy, I didn’t get it right the first time either. Review your procedures and method with a view to figuring out how air got into the system and bleeding the system correctly.
You need to be careful not to open up the bleed valve too much as air will enter the system via the valve. So try to open it up a tiny bit at a time, just enough to allow fluid to flow. You also have to co-ordinate well with the assistant depressing and holding down the brake pedal. Keep checking and topping up the reservoir. Tip: when doing flushes, purchase a different color fluid to the existing fluid in the system so that it’s easier to tell when the old fluid has been fully purged when bleeding. Hope this helps.
Thanks, I’ll probably take it in for a pro to do. I gave it a shot.
How much new fluid did you add? At least a quart? When I do the pump the pedal method, I do 30 pumps per wheel.
Yikes no where close to that, about 1/2 quart :(
It’s air for sure. It’s a one man job only if you’ve done it before, and have the right tool. Bleeder.
Did you remember to pump the brakes after everything is sealed up and good to go? You’ll need to keep pumping until there’s resistance built up. Usually like 10 times should be good.
There are some things that a shade tree mechanic can do themselves. And then there are things that require specialized knowledge, tools and devices. I’d rely on professionals for safety items like brakes until you actually know what you are doing.
Definitely know what you’re doing first, but specialized knowledge, tools and devices for brake fluid flush? Come on.
The YouTube videos sure made it look easy 🤣
Yeah YouTube has a knack for that. Don’t worry about the cuts where shit actually needed explaining or got difficult
Sure specialized tools! Vice grips for when the lone wrenches round off the bleeder screws, then bolt extractors for when you snap the hexes off with the vice grips, then electric impact for when you snap the extractors in the bleeders to get the caliper bolts off, then carbide tipped drill bits when you snap off the caliper bolts…