Brake bleeding

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Jimi1976, Mar 10, 2016.

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  1. Jimi1976

    Jimi1976 Active Member

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    Think my driver rear caliper is seized. Massive brake drag....
    Found a nice one at a parts lot....replaced the bracket and slide pins too.

    Anyway, as most know, opening up the brake system on a Prius requires techstream to bleed the system....which I don't have.

    Found a hybrid specialty shop here in Denver, and they said it would take 4 hours to replace caliper and bleed system.

    I think that is ridiculously long. Caliper can replaced in 30 minutes.


    Anyway.....does anybody have experience with replacing a rear caliper and bleeding the system after?

    Thanks!


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    #1 Jimi1976, Mar 10, 2016
  2. ericbecky

    ericbecky Hybrid Battery Hero

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    I do.
     
    #2 ericbecky, Mar 10, 2016
  3. Rebound

    Rebound Senior Member

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    #3 Rebound, Mar 10, 2016
  4. Jimi1976

    Jimi1976 Active Member

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    Thanks @Rebound

    I think opening the system up via caliper (brake line) removal will cause a pressure drop that simple bleeding will not clear.
    I may be mistaken, though....hence why I am asking lol

    Thanks again Rebound


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    #4 Jimi1976, Mar 11, 2016
  5. ericbecky

    ericbecky Hybrid Battery Hero

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    If in Denver try Mile Hybrid.
    Reputable shop.
     
    #5 ericbecky, Mar 11, 2016
  6. Jimi1976

    Jimi1976 Active Member

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    That's who said 4 hours.
    "At least 4 hours" to be exact.

    But yeah....nice folks over there. That's where I got my caliper (for $50).
    I have no doubt they know what they're doing - and can get the job done right, but the time seems excessive.

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    #6 Jimi1976, Mar 11, 2016
    Last edited: Mar 11, 2016
  7. tankyuong

    tankyuong Senior Member

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    takes 1 hr tops
     
    #7 tankyuong, Mar 11, 2016
  8. Former Member 68813

    Former Member 68813 Senior Member

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    did they say they would charge you for 4 hrs labor? and how much? i'm trying to understand what the problem is.
     
    #8 Former Member 68813, Mar 11, 2016
  9. Jimi1976

    Jimi1976 Active Member

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    $105/hr
    4 hours to bleed a brake system is a lot of bleeding.


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    #9 Jimi1976, Mar 11, 2016
  10. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    How did the rotor and pads look on the problem side? Specifically, was the inner pad wear uniform across the pad width, and was inside face of rotor uniformly shiny?

    I'm just a dog-with-a-bone on this, I know.

    If it does come down to caliper replacement, I don't think you can go far wrong, doing it yourself, then bleeding the brakes per NutzAboutBolts video, and see how it goes. If you do get warning lights, then get it bled with Techstream?
     
    #10 Mendel Leisk, Mar 11, 2016
  11. Rebound

    Rebound Senior Member

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    I think the NutzAboutBolts video shows how to put the Prius in the Maintenance Mode used for brake bleeding. But if you want Techstream, there are vendors on eBay who will sell you the Techstream and software with the needed cable for about $20. It requires 32-bit Windows. Some have installed it on 64-bit Windows, but no guarantees.
     
    #11 Rebound, Mar 11, 2016
  12. Jimi1976

    Jimi1976 Active Member

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    Project stalled due to not being able to remove parking brake cable from caliper


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    #12 Jimi1976, Mar 12, 2016
  13. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Change the slack at the parking brake pedal?
     
    #13 Mendel Leisk, Mar 12, 2016
  14. Jimi1976

    Jimi1976 Active Member

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    I've got plenty of slack....even have the ball end removed.
    Can't get it removed from where the cable assembly mounts to a mounting bracket/hole on the caliper assembly


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    #14 Jimi1976, Mar 12, 2016
  15. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Not sure if this helps. I'll attach the whole pdf on brakes too.

    Capture.JPG

    Ah, I think I see what happens: as you push down with the wrench it compresses tangs on the clip, allows the cable to slip thru?
     

    Attached Files:

    #15 Mendel Leisk, Mar 12, 2016
  16. Jimi1976

    Jimi1976 Active Member

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    Definitely helps - thanks!
    However - I had that clip totally removed. Cable assembly wouldn't budge


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    #16 Jimi1976, Mar 12, 2016
  17. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Maybe someone will chime in if you post a pic?
     
    #17 Mendel Leisk, Mar 12, 2016
  18. Jimi1976

    Jimi1976 Active Member

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    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]


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    Gonna soak it with PB and hit it with some heat


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    #18 Jimi1976, Mar 12, 2016
  19. Jimi1976

    Jimi1976 Active Member

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    She broke loose after 2 cycles of MAP heat


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    #19 Jimi1976, Mar 13, 2016
    Rebound and Mendel Leisk like this.
  20. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    You're in the salt belt?
     
    #20 Mendel Leisk, Mar 13, 2016
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