Front Brake Caliber Replacement HELP

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by PriusGuy32, Jun 6, 2019.

  1. PriusGuy32

    PriusGuy32 Prius Driver Extraordinaire

    Joined:
    Sep 10, 2012
    1,417
    513
    0
    Location:
    Harrison Township, Michigan
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    My Brother in law tried to replace a bad wheel bearing on my Mother In Laws 2010 Prius, 70k miles. He ended up letting the piston pop out of the Caliber (dont ask me how - I wasnt there for that part), and brake fluid leaked out everywhere. The battery was disconnected the whole time. He ended up tearing the caliber piston seal, so I took over the job and am replacing the whole caliber.

    I have TechStream software and have owned 3 Pri. I have been wrenching on cars my entire life.

    Knowing the bleed procedure might be different than a non-Prius, I have read conflicting reports - some say you MUST have techstream, some say its not necessary.

    Can I get some tips on replacing the caliber and bleeding the system? Any advice is super appreciated! (y)
     
    #1 PriusGuy32, Jun 6, 2019
  2. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2008
    25,956
    16,941
    0
    Location:
    Indiana, USA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    As you have Techstream, you're in good shape. As soon as you've replaced the caliper, just pull up the brake bleed utility in Techstream and follow the prompts. I trust the reservoir never got low enough to suck any air in at the head end?
     
    #2 ChapmanF, Jun 6, 2019
    PriusGuy32 likes this.
  3. RightOnTime

    RightOnTime Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2012
    766
    1,638
    183
    Location:
    Kidnapped in OC, CA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    I have done both manually and with Techstream. I say Techstream all the way!


    iPhone ?
     
    #3 RightOnTime, Jun 6, 2019
    PriusGuy32 likes this.
  4. PriusGuy32

    PriusGuy32 Prius Driver Extraordinaire

    Joined:
    Sep 10, 2012
    1,417
    513
    0
    Location:
    Harrison Township, Michigan
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Chapman, to be honest, I haven't even popped the hood to check - but the puddle of brake fluid is very large, I would not be surprised if it did drain the master cylinder reservoir :eek:
     
    #4 PriusGuy32, Jun 6, 2019
  5. PriusGuy32

    PriusGuy32 Prius Driver Extraordinaire

    Joined:
    Sep 10, 2012
    1,417
    513
    0
    Location:
    Harrison Township, Michigan
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Yes, I have an iPhone.
    Thanks for the info, I will use TechStream. I was kinda wanting to check the battery cell voltages and all the other fun stuff anyways.

    If the master cylinder reservoir IS drained of brake fluid, does that complicate things?
     
    #5 PriusGuy32, Jun 6, 2019
  6. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2008
    25,956
    16,941
    0
    Location:
    Indiana, USA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    You'll need a bunch more fluid, and if any air might have been sucked in from the reservoir, then in Techstream's Air Bleeding utility, you'll have to pick the "ABS actuator has been replaced" option instead of just the "Usual air bleeding" option.
     
    #6 ChapmanF, Jun 6, 2019
    RightOnTime and PriusGuy32 like this.
  7. PriusGuy32

    PriusGuy32 Prius Driver Extraordinaire

    Joined:
    Sep 10, 2012
    1,417
    513
    0
    Location:
    Harrison Township, Michigan
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Ok so I just went out to the Prius, the reservoir had only about 1/2" left of brake fluid at the bottom. I topped it off to the top. Hoping it can be just a simple bleed process tomorrow, when the caliber is ready for pickup at the parts store. :confused:
     
    #7 PriusGuy32, Jun 6, 2019
    Rebound likes this.
  8. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2008
    25,956
    16,941
    0
    Location:
    Indiana, USA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    Caliper! Caliper!

     
    #8 ChapmanF, Jun 7, 2019
    Mendel Leisk and PriusGuy32 like this.
  9. PriusGuy32

    PriusGuy32 Prius Driver Extraordinaire

    Joined:
    Sep 10, 2012
    1,417
    513
    0
    Location:
    Harrison Township, Michigan
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    I am not editing the spelling just to bug you :p:p:p:D:LOL:
     
    #9 PriusGuy32, Jun 7, 2019
    RMB likes this.
  10. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2008
    25,956
    16,941
    0
    Location:
    Indiana, USA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    If there's any chance air was sucked into the actuator, I would come down on the side of selecting the full actuator bleed, rather than just the "usual" bleed and hoping for the best. It may be a bit longer process, but better safe than sorry.
     
    #10 ChapmanF, Jun 7, 2019
  11. PriusGuy32

    PriusGuy32 Prius Driver Extraordinaire

    Joined:
    Sep 10, 2012
    1,417
    513
    0
    Location:
    Harrison Township, Michigan
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Sooooo today I came home, hooked up my manual vacuum pump, bled the driver side, finished the brake job and started the car. Brakes are working GREAT, no lights on the dash, everything is good. (y)(y)

    Thank you for all of your help!!
     
    #11 PriusGuy32, Jun 7, 2019
    RMB, jb in NE and Mendel Leisk like this.
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)