Brake Bleed Order

What is the correct order for bleeding the brakes? I came across this section of a 2015 Tundra manual that says FR, FL, RR, RL, but every post I've found on the subject says RR, RL, FR, FL.

 

I always did furthest to closest.

 

Always farther from the master first, progressively closer. Closest last

 

As the other stated I would think furthest all the way to the closest. But I would also put something under the brake pedal so that you don’t depress it any further than you do under braking. This keeps the master cylinder in it’s typical wear pattern. Damage can possibly occur to the seals in the master cylinder if extended beyond its normal wear pattern

 

So what's up with the factory service manuals saying FR, FL, RR, RL? This question came up on a 4runner forum. Someone responded saying that on modern vehicles the front and rear fluid systems are separated, so the passenger side will be the furthest, but it doesn't matter if you do front or rear first.

 

Well that sounds feasible. In that case you are still doing the furthest from the master first. So to keep it from being complicated, just do it as you would normally. Start at the back and work your way to the front left. You only have two lines from the master cylinder which is just one large reservoir nowadays. Those lead to the ABS block which goes to each wheel individually from there if I’m not mistaken. So if you look at it that way front left is further away from the master cylinder than front right and left rear is further away from the master cylinder then right rear.

No matter which way you skin it, as long as the to feed lines to the ABS block are bled of bubbles just bleed the brakes normally until you see nice fresh fluid and I don’t think you should have a problem.

I just did my 03 sequoia in the traditional pattern and it brakes phenomenally. I had just changed the master cylinder as well as the front brake hoses with new brakes all the way around. It stops nice and straight.

I’m not an expert but I’ve been around the block. Don’t overthink it, there’s been plenty of guys out here doing it the old-school way and I have not heard of one problem yet.

 

One thing I used to do in the past after replacing a master cylinder or just doing a system flush was actually start at the drivers front wheel. I did this so I was not going to introduce as much air to the rest of the system by pushing it through at the closest corner. Then I would do my typical bleed procedure that we all know. I don’t know if it made much of a difference but my over analyzing self did it this way. But you do have a point if the manual says to do it this way just do it that way. Now that I know the manual says this it’s actually what I will probably do.

 

I've always done furthest to closest.

 

Just changed my brake fluid today. I went with the order Toyota suggests, FR, FL, RR, RL. Used my mityvac. Came out pretty good but the pedal didnt feel as good as before, not bad by any means though. I had seen you can bleed the brakes with techstream, so I gave it shot and the order techstream uses is FR,FL,RR,RL as well. Using Techstream got my pedal back to stock feel, would be much easier with two people since it requires keeping the pedal depressed while opening the bleeder but I used some wood a big rock and it got the job done.

 

What do think the Techstream did different than not using it?

 

I dont know exactly what, but it tells you to open the bleeder and hit next, then you hear some noise and end up with fluid coming out the bleeder, tells you to close it. Then it activates the ABS module and has you open the bleeder again. What ever dark magic it does, it definitely makes a difference. I had read some others having issues with because of the ABS so idk if maybe air gets trapped in there some how?

 

I have heard that some abs systems require a scan tool to activate it so that the old fluid could be flushed out. I don’t know how true this is. I don’t know if the the tundras system is the same way. Either way, if you keep the reservoir full, I don’t see how air can get in. Other than if you open the bleeder at the wrong time.

 

Yeah I mean I totally could have gotten away with not doing the techstream but I had it already so figured what the hell I give it shot. I dont think I got any air trapped from bleeding since I kept vacuum on the line the whole time until closing the bleeder but who knows, I'm not an expert by any means.