Brake Fluid
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 94
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From: Macomb Michigan
Brake Fluid
Hi All
I am working on my 75 that has not been started in 7 years as of recent. I finally got the engine running and fixed the cooling system. Next is on the list is the brake system. I talked to a guy at O'Reilly's. He suggested to get all the brake fluid out since it is contaminated with moisture. I wonder now how I do that to make sure all the old fluid will come out. I know there is a great write-up by Tom about how to bleed the brakes but I wonder how you can get all the fluid out and replace it.
Thanks as always for any input.
I am working on my 75 that has not been started in 7 years as of recent. I finally got the engine running and fixed the cooling system. Next is on the list is the brake system. I talked to a guy at O'Reilly's. He suggested to get all the brake fluid out since it is contaminated with moisture. I wonder now how I do that to make sure all the old fluid will come out. I know there is a great write-up by Tom about how to bleed the brakes but I wonder how you can get all the fluid out and replace it.
Thanks as always for any input.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
If the car has been sitting for 7 years you may end up having to rebuild all of the calipers. The lip seals don't tolerate sitting for long periods and will probably leak if they haven't already.
If you have stainless-steel lined bores in the calipers (you won't know until you take them apart) I'd recommend spending the extra $ and rebuilding with an O-ring seal kit. The O-ring seals tolerate brake disc runout better than the original seals and they are less prone to leaking when the car sits for a while.
If $ is a concern, you can exchange your calipers for rebuilt ones at AutoZone or Advanced (all rebuilt calipers these days have stainless lined bores) and do the O-ring conversion in a couple of years when they start to leak.
Rick B.
If you have stainless-steel lined bores in the calipers (you won't know until you take them apart) I'd recommend spending the extra $ and rebuilding with an O-ring seal kit. The O-ring seals tolerate brake disc runout better than the original seals and they are less prone to leaking when the car sits for a while.
If $ is a concern, you can exchange your calipers for rebuilt ones at AutoZone or Advanced (all rebuilt calipers these days have stainless lined bores) and do the O-ring conversion in a couple of years when they start to leak.
Rick B.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,812
Likes: 2,028
From: eastern NC
Removing all of the old contaminated fluid from the old calipers will be difficult regardless without removing them and either disassembling them or at least inverting them to get most of the old fluid out. (Bleeders are on the top.) It may be a good time to either disassemble them and install some new seals, O-rings perhaps, or just start with a new set of calipers.
Good luck... GUSTO
Good luck... GUSTO
