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Extracting Brake Fluid from Master Cylinder

Discussion in '4th Gen 4Runners (2003-2009)' started by aa040371, Feb 2, 2025.

  1. Feb 2, 2025 at 4:35 PM
    #1
    aa040371

    aa040371 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 18, 2023
    Member:
    #31827
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    6
    Dallas, TX
    Vehicle:
    2007 Toyota 4-Runner 6-cyl w/Tow Package
    This may apply to other than Gen-4 4-Runners (which I have)? Not sure...

    I notice that pretty much all How-Tos and guides for flushing/replacing brake fluid start with extracting as much of the old fluid from the master cylinder as possible through typical means like a turkey baster. In my Gen 4, though, there is a plastic funnel/filter/whatever that is essentially a choke point or obstacle that make it almost impossible to get any more than an ounce or so. Is this thing removable, or if not is there a typical/usual workaround? Thanks...
     
  2. Feb 3, 2025 at 8:12 PM
    #2
    Hungryhawk

    Hungryhawk New Member

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    Jim
    Southern CA
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    2017 SR5
    I think the "turkey baster" or suction drain & refill procedure refers to the translucent plastic reservoir mounted above the brake master cylinder. Often there is a fine mesh filter cone screen under the cap. This filter can be carefully lifted out to allow the CLEAN suction hose (or turkey baster tip) to submerge into the reservoir.
    Do not try to get every drop out which might allow air into the system. Air accidentally introduced will require a full bleed of all the calipers per published procedure.
    Replace the little screen before adding your new brake fluid into the reservoir.
    Then ,to do a proper job , bleed the calipers per published procedure.
     
  3. Feb 4, 2025 at 5:38 AM
    #3
    aa040371

    aa040371 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 18, 2023
    Member:
    #31827
    Messages:
    6
    Dallas, TX
    Vehicle:
    2007 Toyota 4-Runner 6-cyl w/Tow Package
    I am generally familiar with brake fluid flushing/line bleeding. My question is specifically about how to extract as much brake fluid as possible from a Gen4 master cylinder (yes, the reservoir part). Do you have direct experience with this model?
     

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