460 Brake Flush
#16
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Thread Starter
That 3000 psi is the pressure in the accumulator and is used to boost brake line pressure only when the brake pedal is pushed. I think this is why your Mercedes says gravity bleed and my Lexus techs say vacuum bleed. Neither method involves pumping the brake pedal with an open bleeder. That must be a no-no with servo brake systems.
Still don't know if I can get away with a gravity or vacuum bleed on my '11 460. I'll chat with one of the techs next time I'm at the dealer. What generated my original question was that my 460 (CPO) was given the 30K mile maintenance procedure when I bought it, even though it had just 24K on it, and the brake fluid was supposedly flushed. I'm wondering if they just did a reservoir fluid replacement or actually flushed the lines.
Last edited by jud149; 07-24-14 at 08:23 AM.
#17
If you're wondering if they flushed the brakes, pull the service records for your car. If the 30k service was performed at the dealer, the brake flush should be there. I worked at an independent auto service chain before retiring in late 2012. It would have been unthinkable to only change the fluid in the reservoir and call that a brake flush. While there no certainty here, I believe it is very unlikely a Lexus tech would not actually flush the fluid on through the bleeders. He's being paid flag time to do it. Plus, a brake flush is a car lifted, wheels off job. If a tech isn't doing an actual flush per the work order, one or two others in the shop will know what is happening.
I can tell you that techs are somewhat competitive in a shop. Techs who shortcut and do poor or sleazy work are frowned on by the techs who are doing it right. They will tend to resent a bad tech who flag more paying hours by shortcutting jobs.
I can tell you that techs are somewhat competitive in a shop. Techs who shortcut and do poor or sleazy work are frowned on by the techs who are doing it right. They will tend to resent a bad tech who flag more paying hours by shortcutting jobs.
#18
Advanced
Thread Starter
If you're wondering if they flushed the brakes, pull the service records for your car. If the 30k service was performed at the dealer, the brake flush should be there. I worked at an independent auto service chain before retiring in late 2012. It would have been unthinkable to only change the fluid in the reservoir and call that a brake flush. While there no certainty here, I believe it is very unlikely a Lexus tech would not actually flush the fluid on through the bleeders. He's being paid flag time to do it. Plus, a brake flush is a car lifted, wheels off job. If a tech isn't doing an actual flush per the work order, one or two others in the shop will know what is happening.
I can tell you that techs are somewhat competitive in a shop. Techs who shortcut and do poor or sleazy work are frowned on by the techs who are doing it right. They will tend to resent a bad tech who flag more paying hours by shortcutting jobs.
I can tell you that techs are somewhat competitive in a shop. Techs who shortcut and do poor or sleazy work are frowned on by the techs who are doing it right. They will tend to resent a bad tech who flag more paying hours by shortcutting jobs.
#19
If you're wondering if they flushed the brakes, pull the service records for your car. If the 30k service was performed at the dealer, the brake flush should be there. I worked at an independent auto service chain before retiring in late 2012. It would have been unthinkable to only change the fluid in the reservoir and call that a brake flush. While there no certainty here, I believe it is very unlikely a Lexus tech would not actually flush the fluid on through the bleeders. He's being paid flag time to do it. Plus, a brake flush is a car lifted, wheels off job. If a tech isn't doing an actual flush per the work order, one or two others in the shop will know what is happening.
I can tell you that techs are somewhat competitive in a shop. Techs who shortcut and do poor or sleazy work are frowned on by the techs who are doing it right. They will tend to resent a bad tech who flag more paying hours by shortcutting jobs.
I can tell you that techs are somewhat competitive in a shop. Techs who shortcut and do poor or sleazy work are frowned on by the techs who are doing it right. They will tend to resent a bad tech who flag more paying hours by shortcutting jobs.
#20
Advanced
Thread Starter
You only "believe" a full brake fluid flush (including brake lines, cylinders, and bleeding) is performed. I have spoken with both a Lexus service advisor AND a tech. BOTH admitted (somewhat shamefaced) that the 30k "Lexus brake fluid service" is simply a reservoir suck-out and replacement. So please don't tell us what a brake flush IS; it IS what Lexus says it IS - and it is NOT anything like you describe.
#21
Because I have sent an official form to each and every Lexus dealer demanding an exact description of the "brake fluid flush" procedure used in the 30k mile service bundle. Each and every Lexus dealer reported back to me that they only replace the brake fluid they suck out of the brake fluid reservoir while leaving the "old, crappy" fluid in the brake lines and cylinders.
That work for you?
That work for you?
#22
Advanced
Thread Starter
Because I have sent an official form to each and every Lexus dealer demanding an exact description of the "brake fluid flush" procedure used in the 30k mile service bundle. Each and every Lexus dealer reported back to me that they only replace the brake fluid they suck out of the brake fluid reservoir while leaving the "old, crappy" fluid in the brake lines and cylinders.
That work for you?
That work for you?
This being the case, you would have written to JM Lexus in S. Florida, the largest Lexus dealer in the USA and from whom I purchased my '11 460 last August, and who did the 30K scheduled mtce work, including the "brake fluid replacement" as it's called by Lexus. I'd be curious as to who replied. I currently have a call in to one of the service managers at JM concerning this subject and I'll be sure to advise the response.
FWIW, I just want to be sure what brake fluid mtce procedures have been done on my car. If a flush has not been performed, I'll either do it myself or have it done.
#23
As to getting any documentation that the brake service was actually performed, I suggest talking first to a service writer and explain your concerns. Then ask to speak with the service manager about your car. It will probably come down to trusting their answers.
#24
Lexus Fanatic
You only "believe" a full brake fluid flush (including brake lines, cylinders, and bleeding) is performed. I have spoken with both a Lexus service advisor AND a tech. BOTH admitted (somewhat shamefaced) that the 30k "Lexus brake fluid service" is simply a reservoir suck-out and replacement. So please don't tell us what a brake flush IS; it IS what Lexus says it IS - and it is NOT anything like you describe.
Williakz: Your claims are a little wild and causes us to question credibility.
#25
I currently have a call in to one of the service managers at JM concerning this subject and I'll be sure to advise the response.
FWIW, I just want to be sure what brake fluid mtce procedures have been done on my car. If a flush has not been performed, I'll either do it myself or have it done.
Last edited by williakz; 07-26-14 at 12:51 PM.
#27
#28
Advanced
Thread Starter
That is what he said. First replace fluid in reservoir and then activate abs pump with the tool which will flush the lines when bleeders are opened, obviously keeping the reservoir topped off during the process. They get $159 for this service.
#29