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Can a sunday mechanic change brake pads and rotors

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by Jim Caldwell, Oct 18, 2019.

  1. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Don't leave them that long next time, and you'll be in great shape. Maybe 1/2 that interval.
     
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  2. priusbee

    priusbee Member

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    According to the 2010 Brake Fluid Replacement Procedure, it does not have the bleeding sequence of a normal bleeding sequence.

    From the above document, it bleeds using the following sequence:

    1. Front Disk RH
    2. Front Disk LH
    3. Rear Disk LH
    4. Rear Disk RH

    Can someone confirm what the correct bleeding sequence is for the Prius Gen 3?


    Thanks!
     
  3. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    That’s the order I used (per repair manual). Just editorial: the WAY they describe the sequence is brain-numbing. Start on front right, then go around counterclockwise.

    some more info in my signature (on a phone turn it landscape to see signature).
     
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  4. priusbee

    priusbee Member

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    I don't have TechStream. Following the video using NutzAboutBolts's video.
    This is the order of the sequence according to the manual:
    1. Front Disk RH
    2. Front Disk LH
    3. Rear Disk LH
    4. Rear Disk RH

    I am not sure what order NutzAboutBolts uses.

    Thanks!
     
  5. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    A lot of time, people want to do brake fluid replacement as a preventive measure to get rid of old fluid. And sometimes people say "bleeding" when they mean that.

    Compared to bleeding, things are less critical doing fluid replacement. There's already no air in the system so nothing needs to be bled, and if you do the fluid replacement right, you won't let any air in. So instead of bleeding, you're just opening the bleed valves to let old fluid out. There's even a procedure in the manual for doing that without a scan tool. (For bleeding, there isn't.)

    if you're just doing fluid replacement, I doubt it even matters very much what order you go in. (For the record, posts #22, #23 and #24 all match the order given in the manual.)

    Now if you should happen to goof and let any air in at the underhood brake hardware, then you are in a bleeding situation to get that air out. A scan tool capable of doing that will have a shorter option for use after simple work at a wheel, and a longer option for when there's air in the underhood bits. The scan tool will tell you when to do which wheel, and you will get déjà vu 'cause later in the sequence it will send you to the front brakes a second time. That's not a bug: there are two separate hydraulic paths to the front brakes, and it has to get the air out of both. One time it sends you to the front, you have to pump the pedal to bleed them like an older car, and the other time fluid will be pumped out electrically while you just hold the pedal. (It will gush even faster there than at the rears, and you have to be on your toes not to let the reservoir empty and let air in, and send you back to square one.)
     
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  6. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    It’s different. IIRC he does both rears first, then goes to the front.
     
  7. burebista

    burebista Active Member

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    Amen to that. (y)
    I did rear wheels then front wheels in no particular order.
     
  8. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Still, you have to do them all, and Toyota recommends a sequence: so why not follow that.

    One advantage to “front/right then counterclockwise”: it leaves the two rears to last, which are relatively easy to pump out whatever volume, which helps if you’ve got limited volume of replacement fluid and are trying to use close to all of it, equitably, and end up with an ounce or two, for “just in case”.