Replace rear drums and brake pads or not?

I have a 2008 and over 370 K miles and never flushed my system through I've replaced front/rear brakes twice but second time wasn't really needed. I've never owned a car I'd flush no matter how old (some here 20+ years.) Yes the fluid is hydroscopic but it is a sealed system and I'd suspect still sufficiently dry as long as the cap has remained snug. Certainly do the process if you feel it is best and maybe even that will help the ABS unit last longer (that of course, would be a big deal if true.)

I know that due to the ABS system it is an involved procedure and generally requires a special device to control the system for a proper flush. Some people claim it can be done w/o a controller - maybe or maybe a bad idea. Weigh cost of the device compared to what happens if you don't (and yes, the repair manuals have a milage interval.). The later I am skeptical of for the need but certainly some people here can weigh in with better information.

 

See what dealership would want for doing that? No shame in that, for something tricky, proprietary.

 

Good job on those drum brakes...they are my least favorite by far! In our old 2008 Corolla, I replaced the rear drums and rotor and wheel cylinder on the top decided to crap out on me and after doing the job had a cup of brake fluid at the bottom of the tire after pumping the brakes to fill it up....wasn't a fun day, at all! (Thankfully my auto parts store had one in stock for just over $20)

And, FWIW, my friends son-in-law is a tech at a local Toyota dealer and they don't bother hooking up the techstream to do a brake fluid bleed....they just suck it out of the drain plugs. (But charge you big bucks, of course....gotta make their money!!)

 

You've discovered that pretty much any use of the brakes at all will have made enough heat that your test can't tell you what you want to know.

The testing protocol I use is described ➡here⬅.

The key is to find your way out of a congested part of town and out to somewhere you know you can drive for 15 minutes or so without using brakes. Doesn't matter how much you had to use the brakes getting out of town to your test location, that heat will dissipate during 15 minutes of brake-free driving.

Scope out your path in advance and have it end at, like, a big parking lot you can turn into without braking (slowing with B is ok) and in which you'll have enough room to come to a stop without braking, as the link above describes. It's fine to stab the brakes right when your speed hits zero, then park the car and get out. The rotors should all be stone cold to the touch.