Safe Brake Flush?
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 66
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From: Blue Springs MO
Safe Brake Flush?
Recently had to replace a cracked brake booster and noticed that my brake fluid is disgustingly original and dirty as hell. Wondering what the best, safest method of flushing the entire fluid system would be before installing the new fluid?
All replies greatly appreciated!!
All replies greatly appreciated!!
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 14,130
Likes: 7
Cruise-In II Veteran
First thing to do,get a turkey baster and siphon off the reservoir,have a small empty coffee can or something to put the siphoned fluid into.Get the MC(master cylinder) as empty as you can then fill with fresh fluid.
The begin to bleed the brakes out,in order sequence,while topping the MC off with fresh fluid as needed.I found that to be the easiest way at home to flush the system out.However,after a few miles of driving,say 200 or so,the MC may look dirty again.If so,siphon out MC and refill with new fluid.
Theres gonna be some old fluid left in the system,maybe the abs pump,that wont get it all out when bleeding,that may show back up in the MC.
If you already know how to gravity bleed,that works great too,or using a one man brake bleeder system with the vacuum pump,speeds it up as well.
The begin to bleed the brakes out,in order sequence,while topping the MC off with fresh fluid as needed.I found that to be the easiest way at home to flush the system out.However,after a few miles of driving,say 200 or so,the MC may look dirty again.If so,siphon out MC and refill with new fluid.
Theres gonna be some old fluid left in the system,maybe the abs pump,that wont get it all out when bleeding,that may show back up in the MC.
If you already know how to gravity bleed,that works great too,or using a one man brake bleeder system with the vacuum pump,speeds it up as well.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,110
Likes: 6
From: Red Sox Nation! RI
I'd really stay away from any kind of brake flush additive unless there's some very specific reason you need to. I flushed with Valvoline Synpower brake fluid when I did mine. Mainly on the recommendations of others.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 5,713
Likes: 105
From: Manassas VA
If you are trying to get as much of the old fluid out as possible, consider pushing the pistons on the calipers all the way in before bleeding the brakes. I do this, then I use a mity vac to suck the fluid out of the reservoir. Then I refill and use the mity vac to bleed each wheel. The calipers hold quite a bit of fluid exspecially if the pads have worn much.
