A dumdum replaces the front pads

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by UpperPriusSide, Nov 22, 2022.

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  1. UpperPriusSide

    UpperPriusSide Junior Member

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    In an effort to contribute to this website, which has provided me with so much, I'd like to share my experience replacing the front pads on my 2010 III with 162k miles. It was purchased 3 years ago and has performed flawlessly, only needing oil changes. I decided to replace the front pads after noticing they were very worn and not knowing if they were originals.

    I have owned and worked on several Japanese cars and motorcycles but this is my first hybrid. The pads were very easy to replace and I was done in less than an hour. Below is a pic showing the worn pads with new OEMs.
    [​IMG]

    A week later while on the 405, the ABS, Brake, and Traction Control lights lit up and regenerative braking was disabled. My OBD scanner indicated C1391. As my accumulator seems cycle frequently, I was concerned this was the end of it and accepted my fate of having at least a $2000 repair bill.

    [​IMG]

    After getting it back from a local hybrid specialist, he told me the accumulator is ok and that some air in the system likely set off the warning lights. I assume I introduced a small amount when I was retracting the caliper pistons, as I don't know how else it would have remained hidden for at least three years.

    So that is my lesson:
    1) Be careful when pushing back in the caliper piston
    2) The Trio of Death lights may not mean the end of your accumulator.
    3) If your Prius has a LOT of road noise, don't just assume that is normal for hybrids and ignore it for 3 years - it likely means one (or both) of your rear wheel bearing assemblies are shot.
     
    #1 UpperPriusSide, Nov 22, 2022
    bisco likes this.
  2. Siward

    Siward Active Member

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    Did you disconnect the 12V battery prior to starting your brake job?
    Did you pump your brake pedal a few times at the end prior to reconnecting the 12V battery? I have pumped it a few times until the pedal had to no travel.
    Or if you have techstream, did you put the car in the correct mode to change the brakes?

    I am a newbie but a did my Prius brakes about 3 times now. All times I disconnected the 12V and pumped the brakes at the end. I do this to ensure no brake codes.

    After reconnecting the battery, and turning on the Prius the first time, the entire dash would light up upon the first startup. I simply depress the pedal and press "Start" again, and the whole dash goes back to ready mode.
     
    #2 Siward, Nov 23, 2022
    Mendel Leisk and Montgomery like this.
  3. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    ^ This. You want the car unconscious for a couple of reasons. First off, not doing so, if you open the driver's door (with the caliper off, there's a really good chance the brake system will try to pressurize, and may pop the caliper piston out. Also, the brake pedal will tend to have excess travel afterwards, so best to deal with that (with the pedal pushes), while 12 volt still disconnected.

    Did you by chance open bleed screws while pushing the piston back.

    A tip regarding front caliper piston pushback: the piston's some sort of high tech plastic, so use old brake pad or plywood scrape on it's face, be sure to apply uniform pressure. It can be cracked.
     
    #3 Mendel Leisk, Nov 23, 2022
    Bill Norton likes this.
  4. UpperPriusSide

    UpperPriusSide Junior Member

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    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III

    Howdy again. To answer your questions, 1) Yes I disconnected the 12V anode and 2) I did not open the bleed screw. Is it a one-way check valve? I think I still have PTSD from bleeding my first Civic 20some years ago and didn't want to deal with opening the system.

    Here are the steps I followed:

    [​IMG]
     
    #4 UpperPriusSide, Nov 23, 2022
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