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Changing front brakes and transmission- what parts to use and how to safely lift car.

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Habidaccus, Mar 11, 2020.

  1. Habidaccus

    Habidaccus New Member

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    So I’m thinking of tackling my brakes this weekend and then transmission fluid next weekend. I was lazy and had a local shop do the engine and inverter coolant, but the guy was nervous about changing the transmission fluid based on his own bad experiences and the info he got from other techs he knew in the area. A dealer also told him the fluid is “lifetime”. He was concerned that there would be an internal screen that would get gunked up if I drained the trans, as that happened to another customer and it ruined her transmission. Wasn’t a Prius though.

    Anyhow, I’ve heard mention in threads here that OEM toyota transmission fluid and brakes are best, but I also saw redline d4 atf recommended as an acceptable trans fluid option. How about brake alternatives? Thoughts?

    Finally regarding lifting the car level. A friend cautioned me that when lifting the rear of the car after the front is on lifts to mind the car being pushed forward by the jack and potentially pushing it off the stands.

    any other general advice would be great. I’ve already read about disconnecting the 12v to avoid any unpleasantness and not to mess with the fluid at all whatsoever. I’m finding that I seem to be more in the know about my car the more people I talk to locally, and made the mistake of not telling the shop for the coolant not to flush the coolant out. He said they didn’t use any sort of pressure to do it, but it was still a facepalm moment.
     
    #1 Habidaccus, Mar 11, 2020
  2. valde3

    valde3 Senior Member

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    Transaxle fluid is very easy to change. No screen there to get gunked up.

    Toyota WS fluid is good fluid and it's not that expensive so really no need to use something else. OEM Toyota brake's are very good and last long time but cheaper brakes are probably fine.

    A good jack doesn't push hard sideways as it will just roll. Good jackstands wount fall if pushed sideways with jack.
     
    #2 valde3, Mar 11, 2020
    M in KC and jerrymildred like this.
  3. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    I have seen my jackstands with one edge just a bit lifted off the pavement.

    It was a disconcerting moment.
     
    #3 ChapmanF, Mar 11, 2020
  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    When I'm raising the front end I leave the parking brake off, and securely chock the rear wheels, both sides with heavy rubber chocks (tap them in with a small sledge). That might help a bit, avoid introducing stresses: the car is free to hinge on the back wheels as you jack up the front.

    Also, I put the safety stands under these points, (appreciate this is a 3rd gen pic, but second gen is very similar, and it was from @hobbit second gen pics (IIRC) that I started using these points:

    upload_2020-3-11_17-54-48.png
     
    #4 Mendel Leisk, Mar 11, 2020
  5. Habidaccus

    Habidaccus New Member

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    I’ll have to look at the jack stands, I’ve also got ramps so not sure if I could drive up the ramps then jack up the back and put the stands on there. In theory seems possible but I’m more worried about the physics. Next step is getting the parts and the fluid
     
    #5 Habidaccus, Mar 11, 2020
  6. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    A few have done just that, maybe a little safer actually.
     
    #6 Mendel Leisk, Mar 12, 2020
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