Brake Fluid Change
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 128
Likes: 1
Brake Fluid Change
Hey guys,
So there's not a problem with my brakes, but I would like to go ahead and change the fluid on my 99 corvette. I'm used to just disconnecting the line and forcing fluid out by pumping the brakes on my other cars. Is this what is required for the corvette as well or is there a tool/method like a suction tool that would force more fluid out?
Thanks!
So there's not a problem with my brakes, but I would like to go ahead and change the fluid on my 99 corvette. I'm used to just disconnecting the line and forcing fluid out by pumping the brakes on my other cars. Is this what is required for the corvette as well or is there a tool/method like a suction tool that would force more fluid out?
Thanks!
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 69
Likes: 3
That's pretty much how you do it, except I'd do it through the bleeders. Just make sure to NEVER let the master cylinder run dry or you'll be making a trip to the dealer to bleed the ABS system. I also highly recommend speed bleeders to make your life 100x easier when flushing and bleeding. Here's Toque's guide that I used to do mine, sans the SS brakelines. Make sure to bleed in the correct order. It's not like older cars where you do farthest to closest.
(Steps 6 on up)
http://www.toquez06.com/ssbrakes.html
(Steps 6 on up)
http://www.toquez06.com/ssbrakes.html
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 3,905
Likes: 250
From: Orlando FL
I spent the $150 and had the service done at the dealer. The dealer (or any shop that has a Tech II or equal) can flush the fluid and use the Tech II to activate the ABS pump and circulate fresh fluid into the pump. Moisture will kill the pumps, and if you have a 2000 or older, there are no replacements.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
I spent the $150 and had the service done at the dealer. The dealer (or any shop that has a Tech II or equal) can flush the fluid and use the Tech II to activate the ABS pump and circulate fresh fluid into the pump. Moisture will kill the pumps, and if you have a 2000 or older, there are no replacements.
This is the best way to do it and since it doesn't need to be done every year, why not go ahead and have it done, correctly?
Racer
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 340
Likes: 19
From: Royal Oak Michigan
There are a few ways to do it: I'll outline 4 methods I've used to change brake fluid.
- As mentioned above, you can bleed them the old fashioned way by opening one caliper bleed screw while a friend applies the brakes. This will remove most of the fluid, but not all of it b/c the ABS pump was not cycled.
- The same method above can be performed with one person using a vacuum pump (like a MityVac). However, I've never had much luck with this, as air typically gets sucked in around the bleed screw.
- Use a pressure bleeder, like the Motive Products one from Summit Racing: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MV...FYNx4AodwlcAGw. A good friend of mine loves his Motive pressure bleeder.
- Have a dealership or "in the know" independent shop do it for you, using a Tech II to actuate the ABS pump during the process. This will flush all of the brake fluid. A high-end independent shop near my house in Detroit charges $100 for this service.
