I have opened the hydraulic system serving the rear brakes on a 2005 toyota camry. Rather than have a person pumping the brake pedal- my usual method- couldn't I simply fill the master cylinder and pull fluid through the system at each rear wheel cylinder using a vacuum pump and a catch jar? The car has anti lock brakes if this matters. Also, I removed the brake lines from the rear cylinders and drained all the fluid. Will it be necessary to bleed the front brakes? The master cylinder reservoir is now very low on fluid ,but I believe the front and rear brakes are nearly separate systems, sharing only a common master cylinder which has two separate fluid supplies. Thanks
yes... a vaccum bleeder is the best and preferred method to bleed automotive brake systems now and although as you say... the front and rear brakes are basically seperate...it is still a good idea to bleed both and start with the wheel farthest from the master cylinder.. typically the passenger side rear, and make sure to keep the master cylinder topped off while bleeding so as to not draw in more air when the resevoir gets low then do the driver side rear, then the passenger front, then driver front if you emptied the lines you are going to be there awhile... so make sure you have plenty of new clean fluid on hand , best to have 2 people ..one to keep the resevoir topped off while the other uses the vaccum bleeder heres how the vaccum bleeders work.... make sure the bleed screw is loosened before starting, (not stuck), then lightly tighten it, then connect the vaccum hose and begin pumping the vaccum tool a few times to build the pressure...then loosen the bleeder one quarter turn until the vaccum is released then close the bleeder again and begin again... until the fluid runs smooth with no "spitting" from air in the line
I have done this on a motorcycle before, but I wonder whether an anti-lock brake system might impair your ability to vacuum out the bubbles. You could also grab a stick or a 2x4 or something to hold down the pedal after you pump it, and bleed it out the normal way. Just stick your bleeder hose on the nipple, and use a piece of tape or rubberband to stick the other end of the hose in a small jar. Fill up the master cyl and put about a half inch of brake fluid in the jar. Then go and pump your brakes, get all the bubbles out, use your 2x4 to keep the pedal down while you go and tighten the nipple, and then release the 2x4. Super easy.
