Hi Scotty I am installing a new Master Brake Cyl on an 05 Highlander today. Going to use the Scotty screwdriver brake lines loose technique to bleed the system. My question is when doing this technique is there any need to go and bleed each caliper?
Also, with the lines loose while depressing the brake will fluid seep out of the loose lines or just air?
Thanks Scotty!
Going to use the Scotty screwdriver brake lines loose technique to bleed the system.
What is the "Scotty screwdiver" method? An internet search comes up empty. Although I have not seen every video Scotty has ever made I have only ever seen him bleed brakes by bench-bleeding the master cylinder and opening up bleeder screws on calipers/wheel cylinders.
My question is when doing this technique is there any need to go and bleed each caliper?
If you are installing a master cylinder it is inevitable that some air will enter your brake system even if the master is bench-bled as it should be. You may require a bidirectional scan tool to bleed the ABS properly.
Also, with the lines loose while depressing the brake will fluid seep out of the loose lines or just air?
Fluid will of course be expelled along with air.
@chucktobias this is the name of the video on youtube How to Replace a Brake Master Cylinder in Your Car (Bleed Brakes) In this video he fills the master with fluid, puts the lines on just a few turns then fully presses the brake pedal using screwdriver and seat then tightens lines fully will brake is pressed, then removes the screwdriver holding the brake pedal and then loosens the lines again and repeats the process multiple times. no bench bleed and no caliper bleeding
Watch that video and let me know what you think?
That video is pretty old. Try it and let us know how it works out.
@chucktobias Yes definitely old but he seems pretty confident in the method and it does look very easy and a lot of the commenters concur that it worked I just was surprised there was no mention of needing rags under the lines or the management of expelling fluid while using this method. Also still not positive you dont still need to at least attempt bleeding each caliper starting furthest wheel working your way back....what say you? :- )
Since I have never tried that method I can't really comment much on it. However it's obvious that if you don't bleed the calipers even if air is not a problem you're leaving old fluid in there that may be contaminated. (I always bench-bleed new master cylinders and use a Motive power bleeder for bleeding brakes at the calipers.)
As mentioned, let us know how the method in the video works out for you.
@chucktobias will do Chuck. One last question, have you ever seen of or heard a case where the master cylinder gets noisy when the brake pedal is being depressed? When I press my pedal down there is a creaky sound at the booster plunger, when i have some one in the car hitting the brake and I have my hand on the master cylinder I can feel the creakiness inside the master
I suppose a master cylinder might make noise if there's some issue internally but I've not run into that. Typically if there's a noise when hitting the brake pedal it's in the brake pedal pivot or linkage.
@chucktobias yeah agreed i have tirelessly tried lubing with white lithium grease all pedal pivot points and linkages to no avail, thinking the plunger and spring assembly inside of the master cylinder is dry or worn. Will report back my findings.
Is this the new master cylinder? Is it an OEM part? (Hopefully not sourced from Amazon or Ebay.)
@chucktobias new master cylinder yes from amazon its by Dorman
Dorman quality can be spotty (some of their products are good, some no not so good). Coming from an Amazon seller it could even be counterfeit. Hope it works out but it would be no surprise if it was defective.
@chucktobias I appreciate the insight, the one thats in the vehicle now I am uncertain of the brand but it does not look original i am guessing cheap aftermarket. I did some research on Dorman and saw exactly what you mention spotty some good some not so good from Dorman but from what I read as it pertains to brake master cylinder they have good reviews on quality so I am hoping this Dorman fixes the creaky noise coming from the existing unit.
@chucktobias update pulled the existing unkown brand brake master cylinder from the Toyota Highlander. Put it in my vice and attempted to depress the piston it went in and stuck. With some prying and tapping it would come back out but you could feel resistance on the inner wall where the piston slides in and out. The new one from Dorman you could depress and feel it go in and out smoothly by hand. Installed and followed that video Scotty has where he used his lon screwdriver against the brake and seat with brake lines cracked tightened and repeated 5 times just like the video and brakes feel firm and there is no more creakiness when pushing on the brake pedal. It wasnt the brake booster, wasnt the lack of lubrication on brake pedal assembly it was 100% a crappy brake master cylinder.
If this one starts to get creaky or gives me any issues will cough up the $250 at Toyota for an OEM but for now all is well and good night!
Sounds good, thanks for letting us know!