Builds 1989 FJ62 Refresh - Update Build (4 Viewers)

[Beams37]

Ok. All brake lines back in place. I started bleeding the brakes (fruitless) and realized there really wasn't any fluid in the system (having so many lines off at the same time). So, I opened all the check valves and let gravity do its thing. Then I started bleeding again (fruitless), but I was exhausted and it was getting dark. So, I am going to try again tomorrow.

A few questions: Everything I read says back left, back right, front left, front right, then LSVP.

• Is "left" in the scenario the driver or passenger side?
• How long should it take to get the system to run without air coming through?
• How many quarts should I plan for?
• I used a full quart to "fill the system" I think. I have 2 more, but don't want to run out during the process. I bought one of those hand pumps from AutoZone. Should I just use the 2-man method and have someone pump the brakes? If so, with engine running or no?

Thanks in advance for all the jokes and answers.

 

[RevISK]

Ok. All brake lines back in place. I started bleeding the brakes (fruitless) and realized there really wasn't any fluid in the system (having so many lines off at the same time). So, I opened all the check valves and let gravity do its thing. Then I started bleeding again (fruitless), but I was exhausted and it was getting dark. So, I am going to try again tomorrow.

A few questions: Everything I read says back left, back right, front left, front right, then LSVP.

• Is "left" in the scenario the driver or passenger side?
• How long should it take to get the system to run without air coming through?
• How many quarts should I plan for?
• I used a full quart to "fill the system" I think. I have 2 more, but don't want to run out during the process. I bought one of those hand pumps from AutoZone. Should I just use the 2-man method and have someone pump the brakes? If so, with engine running or no?

Thanks in advance for all the jokes and answers.

Bleed the farthest to the closest. Some might argue the LSPV is the farthest, some say the DS rear.
I start and end with the LSPV as it is both far from the master and higher than the others.

I’ll keep my mouth shut about the rest.

 

[franklin40]

Brakes are overrated

no they’re not!! ask me how i know!! thankfully i had my h55 at the time a rear line broke hauling a trailer. i was at least able to downshift to slow enough that the hand brake would bring me to a stop!! that was a scary moment when i realized i had nothing!!

i always did rear right then rear left then lspv then front right then front left. seemed to work for me but maybe i’m wrong

 

[Beams37]

no they’re not!! ask me how i know!! thankfully i had my h55 at the time a rear line broke hauling a trailer. i was at least able to downshift to slow enough that the hand brake would bring me to a stop!! that was a scary moment when i realized i had nothing!!

i always did rear right then rear left then lspv then front right then front left. seemed to work for me but maybe i’m wrong

So you're saying far right rear. Is that looking at the truck (would be passenger side rear) or sitting in the truck (would be driver side rear)? The more I think about it, the more I see the rear passenger side as the furthest.

 

[RevISK]

So you're saying far right rear. Is that looking at the truck (would be passenger side rear) or sitting in the truck (would be driver side rear)? The more I think about it, the more I see the rear passenger side as the furthest.

Just follow the lines, they run down the passenger/right side.

The furthest (not talking about the LSPV) is the Driver/left rear.

I’m off to sharpen my windshield wipers.

 

[franklin40]

i haven’t had my 62 for about 8 months now so i’m going 100% off memory. from the drivers seat (doesn’t matter if it’s left or right hand drive) looking out the windshield i thought the rear right was further from the master cylinder but @RevISK is correct in saying follow the lines. which ever runs further is the one to start at. i don’t remember if the lines all go to the right frame rail and then back to the rear left or what. but do what he said and you’ll figure it out pretty fast

 

[diesellibrarian]

Luckily there's a service manual that tells you how to do this, and every other repair and maintenance procedure on your Land Cruiser. If you don't have a copy, get it here: Chassis and Body Manual

The brake line (or lines, since the FJ62 also has a return line) run along the passenger frame rail, then to soft line that attaches to a junction at the axle on the passenger side. That means that the hard line running to the left (left is LEFT when you're sitting in the driver's seat) is longer than the one running to the right drum = the rear left wheel is the furthest from the master cylinder. Start there, and, like it says in the manual, bleed the LSPV last.

 

[diesellibrarian]

Also, when moving to bleeding the front, you do the right wheel first, and then the left, since the left side has the longer line, even though it's closer to the MC as the crow flies.

 

[Beams37]

Luckily there's a service manual that tells you how to do this, and every other repair and maintenance procedure on your Land Cruiser. If you don't have a copy, get it here: Chassis and Body Manual

View attachment 3794219

The brake line (or lines, since the FJ62 also has a return line) run along the passenger frame rail, then to soft line that attaches to a junction at the axle on the passenger side. That means that the hard line running to the left (left is LEFT when you're sitting in the driver's seat) is longer than the one running to the right drum = the rear left wheel is the furthest from the master cylinder. Start there, and, like it says in the manual, bleed the LSPV last.

Perfect. I actually have that link and have been referencing. Just didn't want to pissing into the wind by accessing the wrong "left". I'll let you guys know how it goes tonight!

 

[diesellibrarian]

Also, when moving to bleeding the front, you do the right wheel first, and then the left, since the left side has the longer line, even though it's closer to the MC as the crow flies.

Sorry, I got that partially backward. I blame brain fog from this never-ending cold I have. The left front IS further from the MC, so you bleed that one first before the right. In other words, front right is the last wheel to be bled. Sorry about that.

 

[Beams37]

Using a hand pump. I’ve been through a quart and a half of fluid already. Still on first point and just will not come out without air. I realize I swapped a ton of lines and would have excess air, but this seems crazy.

Any recommendations on how to check for potential air leaks in the braking system?

 

[RevISK]

Meant to post this awhile ago:

Ds back
Ps back
Ds front
Ps front

Lspv whenever but last is best.

Let’s hope we don’t have to try and explain which way you “row the boat” when adjusting drum brakes.

 

[RevISK]

Using a hand pump. I’ve been through a quart and a half of fluid already. Still on first point and just will not come out without air. I realize I swapped a ton of lines and would have excess air, but this seems crazy.

Any recommendations on how to check for potential air leaks in the braking system?

Have you bench bled the master? (You can do it on the truck).

 

[Beams37]

Have you bench bled the master? (You can do it on the truck).

No. Best place to start?

 

[Beams37]

Any videos exist of how to do this on the truck? FSM says take off hoses, put my fingers over it, and have someone pump the brakes. Is it that simple?

 

[RevISK]

No. Best place to start?

FSM

You’re chasing your tail if your master has gone dry.

Google, Bing, Ask Jeeves how to bench bleed your master. Then do not let it go dry.

 

[Beams37]

SITREP: Saw someone on the 80-forum say to use the hoses going into the MC as "bleeders". Got the wife out there to pump the brakes while I opened those. Then proceeded to use the "2 man" method to bleed all the others. Seemed to bleed "as expected" that way. A little bit of air, but then clean fluid. I'm going to guess there was some issue with the "hand pump" that was supposed to make things "easy". Going to eat dinner and bleed them again tomorrow with the 2-man method and then have a test drive to see what's happening.

Thanks to all so far on this journey.

 

[diesellibrarian]

A little while ago a buddy enlisted his girlfriend to help him bleed his brakes. He went to all four corners but for some reason the system wasn’t building any pressure. It took them a while to diagnose the problem: she’d spent 20 minutes pumping the clutch

 

[RevISK]

Hopefully she was cute…

 

[Beams37]

Alrighty. So, I let it sit for a couple of days and came back to double check the brakes. One corner had a small bubble, but the rest were good. It was dark AF, so I just did some quick backing up and forward in the driveway. It is what I would call "back to normal", which does include fairly soft brakes. I also bought an FJ80 booster to install, but wanted to see what the brakes felt like when they weren't spraying fluid out of the soft hoses and had some meat on the pads before I added anything else to the system.

Will go out this weekend for a longer test drive and to start bedding the brakes. At some point, I will open the drums and see what's happening,but that will have to wait for another time.