Do you need to drain all 4 calipers for brake fluid flush?

[TruckGuy2020]

I looked up how to do a brake fluid flush (never done it before) and decided to just let the dealer do it since I don’t have FDRS and wanted them to do it that way using the ABS pump to get all the old fluid out.
Well I got my truck back and the passenger rear caliper clearly has been cleaned with brake cleaner suggesting they flushed from the corner (see first pic) that caliper is also now missing the top rubber/plastic cap on the top of the caliper. Do I need to get that cap replaced? Is it a problem that it’s missing?

also, attached are photos of the other 3 calipers… they clearly never touched them meaning they didn’t drain the brake fluid out of any of the other lines. This is a problem right? Just looking for some feedback before I demand them to redo their work.

my vehicle has fluid film on it so it’s very dirty, but also very easy to see if something has been touched.

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[22Platinum]

Do I need to get that cap replaced? Is it a problem that it’s missing?

12 years from now that will have become an issue. Lazy, but easily fixed.

ABS pump to get all the old fluid out.

I am betting this did not happen based on your claim and your lack of complaint about the price; I'd wager they would have added ~$120 to the price of the job just to roll the IDS/whatever laptop they are on now over to the machine and run through the ABS procedure and the base price of a brake fluid flush does not account for this.

This is a problem right?

This is not preferred; they probably did replace 80% of the fluid by draining the caliper farthest from the reservoir but you definitely got jipped if they didn't do the other three wheels. Good on you for checking.

To do the ABS yourself, just flush the fluid yourself and then activate ABS however is easiest for you.

 

[sbi]

IMO, a clean caliper does not mean they flushed the fluid.
And why would you need FDRS to do a pure mechanical job? I don't understand.

 

[22Platinum]

IMO, a clean caliper does not mean they flushed the fluid.

I wouldn't go so far as to say they didn't do the work, especially given one of the dust covers is missing.

And why would you need FDRS to do a pure mechanical job? I don't understand.

The ABS unit contains some fluid that is bypassed during normal flushing and OP wanted to get that fluid exchanged as well. To accomplish this, you'd need to connect to the IDS/similar and run a procedure that opens and closes the valves of the ABS unit after the regular flush is performed.

I don't do my ABS unit but instead, directly after a fluid flush I'll brake on loose conditions hard enough to activate ABS which will shuffle some fluid in and out

 

[sbi]

I wouldn't go so far as to say they didn't do the work, especially given one of the dust covers is missing.

I didn't say they did not do it, I just said it can't be a proof that they did ?

The ABS unit contains some fluid that is bypassed during normal flushing and OP wanted to get that fluid exchanged as well. To accomplish this, you'd need to connect to the IDS/similar and run a procedure that opens and closes the valves of the ABS unit after the regular flush is performed.

I don't do my ABS unit but instead, directly after a fluid flush I'll brake on loose conditions hard enough to activate ABS which will shuffle some fluid in and out

Thanks for the explanation, I didn't know that, never saw any indication about that anywhere else in regards to brake job/flush in other vehicles.

 

[TruckGuy2020]

IMO, a clean caliper does not mean they flushed the fluid.
And why would you need FDRS to do a pure mechanical job? I don't understand.

this is how you’re supposed to do it on the 2021+ it’s in the new WSM.

 

[22Platinum]

I didn't say they did not do it, I just said it can't be a proof that they did ?

Yeah I realized the inverse was also true after reading your response a few times.

this is how you’re supposed to do it on the 2021+ it’s in the new WSM.

Oh wait I may be wrong then; if the laptop is needed to do a standard brake flush, then the laptop probably hits the ABS during the standard brake flush procedure.

I guess my question is can you flush the brakes the old manual way and if so, is that what happened to you (on only one line, potentially)

 

[TruckGuy2020]

I didn't say they did not do it, I just said it can't be a proof that they did ?



Thanks for the explanation, I didn't know that, never saw any indication about that anywhere else in regards to brake job/flush in other vehicles.

yea you’re right man, it’s not proof they did it for sure, but what it appears happened is they drained from the passenger rear, but not any of the other 3 calipers

 

[sbi]

yea you’re right man, it’s not proof they did it for sure, but what it appears happened is they drained from the passenger rear, but not any of the other 3 calipers

Maybe because it is the farthest away from the caliper, but clearly it would not flush the "last mile" before all other calipers.

 

[powerboatr]

in regards to fluid removed and replaced with fresh fluid
no matter if its in brakes or hydraulic systems or even water supply in your house

yes pulling in fresh fluid to the farthest DEVICE from the supply is key.
but each DEVICE that uses that fluid, would still need to be provided fresh fluid off that main line to replace the fluid from the "TEE" where fresh fluid is, to the device that is in stream to the main fluid providing pipe, etc/. then a follow up with drawing more fresh fluid to the farthest device as a second check to ensure all the fluid is up to snuff and is in deed fresh.


doing the abs does take a few more steps,


simple fact is our brake system does no return fluid from the caliper each time your press the brake pedal, so fluid is dead ended and there fore ages in place

unlike the engine oil that is used in lubricating and then recycled via a filter back to the bearings or device using the oil

 

[TruckGuy2020]

Update: I spoke with the advisor and tech and they said they used a pressure bleeder and it connects to the bleed port (the ones with the caps up top), and that they did all 4 corners. The furthest one just looks clean because they spilled a bit on that one and cleaned it up. They’re also gonna give me a new cap for that one that never got put back on. Hopefully this helps other people wondering! I was expecting to see marks on the screw, but they didn’t use the screws just the bleeder ports up top so that’s why the others looked untouched.

 

[HammaMan]

this is how you’re supposed to do it on the 2021+ it’s in the new WSM.

Funny how they cut off the point where they let the fluid piss all over the wheel / tire. That's what you get when joe dirt works on your vehicle. Brake fluid and painted surfaces are not friends. Wouldn't have taken them 2 seconds to attach a hose. It's those little things that sets apart the good from "you're not touching my vehicle". Pay attention to the little things like that as it's indicative of the level of "service" you'll receive where clips / bolts / and similar are damaged or left off. Suddenly you have rattles or failures because someone thought it was okay to not spend another 30 seconds or so doing it right.

 

[tbinmd]

When I bleed my brakes, I used a closed wrench, it does not leave marks and you don't round the bleeder. The bleeders only need ~10ftlbs to close them.

 

[HammaMan]

Update: I spoke with the advisor and tech and they said they used a pressure bleeder and it connects to the bleed port (the ones with the caps up top), and that they did all 4 corners. The furthest one just looks clean because they spilled a bit on that one and cleaned it up. They’re also gonna give me a new cap for that one that never got put back on. Hopefully this helps other people wondering! I was expecting to see marks on the screw, but they didn’t use the screws just the bleeder ports up top so that’s why the others looked untouched.

Hard to tell, but based on the lack of witness marks, I'm not seeing it. Your pictures aren't really up to inspection quality, but they did all 4 corners and didn't have even a tiny amount of weeping around the threads of the bleeder on the other 3 wheels, while also being able to keep the dust on the caps having both removed and reinstalled them?

 

[TruckGuy2020]

Hard to tell, but based on the lack of witness marks, I'm not seeing it. Your pictures aren't really up to inspection quality, but they did all 4 corners and didn't have even a tiny amount of weeping around the threads of the bleeder on the other 3 wheels, while also being able to keep the dust on the caps having both removed and reinstalled them?

that is a good point, I may try to bleed one of them myself and see what color the fluid is

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