You did get lucky on the rears, you actually forced the valves open when you compressed the fluid. Usually this pisses the system off if it sees backflow, good thing it didn't seem to notice this time lol!

 

I change my own pads, have done front and rear with no issues also, same way as Outofspec. Take old thinner pads out, use piston caliper spreader tool to push pistons back in, put new thicker pads in.

 

same here...

 

Did you guys remove the master cylinder cover prior to compressing the caliper pistons? Or no?

 

Doesn't hurt, and I also inserted a few shop towels just in case. More importantly, it is highly recommended the car not be on/started or brake pedal depressed during the rotor and/or pad replacement. Like others mentioned, I too was able to replace all 4 rotors and pads (>10k miles and 2 yrs ago) without having to use Techstream. With the proper tools (and elbow grease), no real need to turn the front wheels to replace those rotors/pads.

Here are a couple of threads that touch upon the don't start/depress brake pedal reasoning:
resurfaced the brake rotors now dash lit up like a christmas tree - ClubLexus - Lexus Forum Discussion
Tutorial LS460: Clear “Brake Malfunction, Check VSC System” Dash Error Messages - ClubLexus - Lexus Forum Discussion

 

remove the brake fluid reservoir cap and monitor the fluid level, remove fluid as needed.

 

Thanks gents 😎👌

 

No, didn't do anything other than compress the pistons after taking the old pads out.