Brake Fluid: Bleeding

NOTE:

Wash off brake fluid immediately if it comes into contact with a painted surface.
If the brake pedal is depressed with the reservoir cap removed, then brake fluid will spatter.

HINT:

If any work is done on the brake system or if air in the brake lines is suspected, bleed the air from the system.
When bleeding, keep the amount of the fluid between the Min and Max lines on the reservoir.

FILL RESERVOIR WITH BRAKE FLUID
Fluid:

SAE J1703 or FMVSS NO. 116 DOT 3
BLEED BRAKE BOOSTER WITH ACCUMULATOR PUMP ASSEMBLY
1. Turn the engine switch on (IG) and operate the pump. The pump will automatically stop after several seconds.
2. Turn the engine switch off, and fully depress the brake pedal 20 times to release the pressure in the accumulator.
  HINT:
  
  After the pressure in the accumulator is released, there will be less pedal resistance and the pedal stroke will lengthen.
3. Repeat the previous 2 steps 5 times.
4. After releasing the pressure from the accumulator, check that the pump operating time is less than 18 seconds. If it takes more than 18 seconds, repeat the previous step.
BLEED BRAKE LINE
1. Bleed air from the front brake system.
  1. Turn the engine switch on (IG).
    HINT:
    
    Perform this procedure with the engine switch on (IG), as the large piston of the master cylinder does not stroke with the engine switch off.
    
    Fig 1: Bleeding Air From Front Brake System
    Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
  2. Connect a vinyl tube to the brake caliper.
  3. Depress the brake pedal several times, then loosen the bleeder plug with the pedal held down (procedure "A").
    NOTE: While performing the air bleeding procedure, make sure that the amount of fluid in the reservoir remains above the MIN line.
  4. At the point when the fluid stops coming out, tighten the bleeder plug, then release the brake pedal (procedure "B").
    Torque: 11 N*m (110 kgf*cm, 8 ft.*lbf)
  5. Repeat procedure "A" to "B" until all the air in the fluid has been bled out.
  6. Repeat the above procedures to bleed the other front brake line.
2. Bleed air from the rear brake system.
  1. Turn the engine switch on and depress the brake pedal.
    HINT:
    
    Perform this procedure with the engine switch on (IG), as the large piston of the master cylinder does not stroke with the engine switch off.
    
    Fig 2: Bleeding Air From Rear Brake System
    Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
  2. Connect a vinyl tube to the brake caliper.
  3. Loosen the bleeder plug and release air.
    NOTE: While performing the air bleeding procedure, make sure that the amount of fluid in the reservoir remains above the MIN line.
    
    HINT:
    
    Brake fluid is sent through the pump, so keep the brake pedal depressed until the air is completely bled out.
  4. When the air is completely bled out of the brake fluid through the bleeder plug, tighten the bleeder plug.
    Torque: 11 N*m (110 kgf*cm, 8 ft.*lbf)
  5. Repeat the above procedures to bleed the other rear brake line.
BLEED MASTER CYLINDER SOLENOID
HINT:

Perform this step only if the master cylinder solenoid is removed and/or installed.
1. Connect the Techstream to the DLC3.
2. Turn the engine switch on (IG).
3. Turn the Techstream on.
4. Enter the following menus: Chassis / ABS/VSC/ TRAC / Active Test.
5. Connect a vinyl tube to the rear brake caliper (LH or RH).
6. Loosen the bleeder plug.
7. Select "VSC/TRAC Solenoid (SRMF) and VSC/TRAC Solenoid (SRMR)" to drive the solenoids and bleed air from the rear brake caliper (procedure "A").
  NOTE: Do not depress the brake pedal.
  
  HINT:
  - Brake fluid is sent through the pump.
  - To protect the solenoids, the Techstream turns off automatically 2 seconds after every solenoid has been turned on.
8. Repeat procedure "A" until all the air in the brake fluid is bled out.
9. When the air is completely bled out of the brake fluid through the bleeder plug, tighten the bleeder plug.
  Torque: 11 N*m (110 kgf*cm, 8 ft.*lbf)
10. Repeat the above procedures to bleed the front brake line (LH or RH).
11. Turn the engine switch off.
12. Turn the engine switch on (IG).
13. Clear the DTCs (See DTC CHECK/CLEAR ).
CHECK FLUID LEVEL IN RESERVOIR (See ON-VEHICLE INSPECTION )