Dealer: Unable to exchange brake fluid

[PDPerry]

Color me baffled.

Took Bubbles to dealer for a brake fluid exchange/flush. After waiting an hour, the SA comes to me to say that they, "are unable to exchange the brake fluid in my LandCruiser due to the master being computer controlled."

However, they were willing to bleed the system.

Which they apparently did, although i detect no difference in pedal feel (which in recent years has increased in travel length).

I have had fluid replaced twice in Bubbles' 15 year lifetime, though not by a dealer.

Have the previous jobs created issues I wasn't aware of? Does Toyota really recommend against brake fluid exchanges? Why would they agree to bleed, but not exchange? Seems that after exchanging, an "official" Toyota bleed would remove any and all air from the system.

Seems kinda whack...

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[TXLX100]

I don't think a scan tool is required to add new fluid and bleed the brake system. I've never personally done a LC, but I would think the SOP is the same as other vehicles. I know on some newer cars you HAVE to have a scan tool to do a proper brake bleed, trans fluid exchange, etc.

 

[yotasavg]

I don't think a scan tool is required to add new fluid and bleed the brake system. I've never personally done a LC, but I would think the SOP is the same as other vehicles. I know on some newer cars you HAVE to have a scan tool to do a proper brake bleed, trans fluid exchange, etc.

Not to stray from the OP's question, but out of curiosity why is that?

 

[PDPerry]

I was late for an appointment, but while closing out my visit the SA did say they needed a scan tool to do the flush.

Which confuses me even more.

I went to the dealer specifically due to what I've read here on 'mud that bleeding the system requires an SST or two.

So why wouldn't they do it? Do I just have a lame dealership here in Sacramento?

 

[phippsj]

Wouldn't it just be a bleed while adding fresh fluid in the reservoir until clean light colored fluid is running out?

Just take it to a dependable independant garage. You LC isn't an Apple product!

Might want to check the shop manual on flushing the brake fluid.

Good Luck!

 

[TXLX100]

Not to stray from the OP's question, but out of curiosity why is that?

Why do some vehicles require a scan tool? I'm not 100% certain why, but it is probably needed to electronically operate the hydraulic control unit to accomplish a bleed. Possibly a brake system that uses wheel speed sensors at all times to apply brake pressure, not just in a skid event? Someone here has to know a lot more than me about this.

I think the term "flush" may be deceiving. All of the brake fluid changes I've seen have included vacuuming and cleaning the reservoir, adding new fluid, and then bleeding the system in the proper sequence, adding fluid, and topping off fluid.

 

[Sandroad]

This thread is in the FAQs.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/100-series-cruisers/36297-brake-system-flush.html

 

[badlander]

That dealer is whacked. I've flushed my brake fluid every year since I bought my 100. No scan tool is required for a regular flush. There are special steps needed, though, to flush all the fluid, including that in the ABS part of the master cylinder. There are plenty of threads here on flushing brake fluid, and tips on how to do it. Go to a different dealer. They obviously do NOT know what they are doing.

 

[RobRed]

IN general scan tools or SSTs are needed to actuate the ABS controllers in modern vehicles to allow the flow of fluid in the system. My Audi and BMW both require this.

In the case of the Land Cruiser the same requirement exists. If you are doing the old fashioned bleeding techniques you will not be clearing the whole system. If you have air in the system from a repair etc this would be a must.

 

[yotasavg]

Why do some vehicles require a scan tool? I'm not 100% certain why, but it is probably needed to electronically operate the hydraulic control unit to accomplish a bleed. Possibly a brake system that uses wheel speed sensors at all times to apply brake pressure, not just in a skid event? Someone here has to know a lot more than me about this.

I think the term "flush" may be deceiving. All of the brake fluid changes I've seen have included vacuuming and cleaning the reservoir, adding new fluid, and then bleeding the system in the proper sequence, adding fluid, and topping off fluid.

IN general scan tools or SSTs are needed to actuate the ABS controllers in modern vehicles to allow the flow of fluid in the system. My Audi and BMW both require this.

In the case of the Land Cruiser the same requirement exists. If you are doing the old fashioned bleeding techniques you will not be clearing the whole system. If you have air in the system from a repair etc this would be a must.

Ah now it makes sense to me, this is the newest and most complex vehicle I've ever owned, and it's still new to me!

 

[OregonLC]

You would think there would be a jumper or other means of causing the ABS to cycle fluid (besides the gravel road method). Even with that, not sure how you'd get all of the fluid out of the accumulator, as I understand it, the accumulator is just a large pressure chamber with a single inlet.

 

[badlander]

You would think there would be a jumper or other means of causing the ABS to cycle fluid (besides the gravel road method). Even with that, not sure how you'd get all of the fluid out of the accumulator, as I understand it, the accumulator is just a large pressure chamber with a single inlet.

Where there's a will, there's an "A"!
Someone here will find a way...........
It's just a matter of time.

 

[PDPerry]

You would think there would be a jumper or other means of causing the ABS to cycle fluid (besides the gravel road method). Even with that, not sure how you'd get all of the fluid out of the accumulator, as I understand it, the accumulator is just a large pressure chamber with a single inlet.

One brake guy told me that one reason for the "softening" brake pedal is due to the accumulator having two chambers. One for the pressurized brake fluid.

The second is a nitrogen-filled chamber.

I guess the best way to look at it as being similar to a pressure tank for a pump-style home water system.

According to the brake guy, the nitrogen leaks over time, resulting in a softer pedal, but not real loss of braking ability.

So maybe I should start another thread and ask folks how their brake pedal feels on their higher-mileage Hundys?

In the meanwhile, since we just finished the drive from Sacramento to WinterPark, Colorado, there's a lot of gravel lots arou d here.. Perhaps I'll do some ABS testing...

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