Changing brake fluid
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
Changing brake fluid
As far as I can tell, the brake fluid has never been changed on my 2001. After 13 years it is due. I was going to wait until it needed pads but that may be a few more years. I did it in my C3 and remember what a pain it was. I know its labor intensive and was wondering what a shop might charge. Anyone have it done? What did it cost?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,097
Likes: 111
From: Fredericksburg Virginia
Local dealer here charges about $120 for a vehicle. I do all my own work so did mine when I swapped to stainless steel lines and powder coated calipers. About 2 years later I put front calipers in the rear and actually disassembled the master cylinder, cleaned it up and put it back together. Everything works great now.
Chris
Chris
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
Local dealer here charges about $120 for a vehicle. I do all my own work so did mine when I swapped to stainless steel lines and powder coated calipers. About 2 years later I put front calipers in the rear and actually disassembled the master cylinder, cleaned it up and put it back together. Everything works great now.
Chris
Chris
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 4,260
Likes: 429
From: Houston TX
I thought it was fairly easy but I did order the motive power bleeder before attempting it. I removed all four wheels after putting it on jack stands, and then sucked as much of the fluid out of the reservoir as I could. After filling it with fresh I pumped up the power bleeder and was ready to work. Start with the passenger rear, then the driver rear, then the passenger front and finally the driver front. The reason for this is that you want to start with the section furthest away from the master. I chose to use blue brake fluid so there was no question that I had fresh fluid all around, but that is up to you. If you fluid is really 13 years old, which I hope it isn't, it should be easy to tell when fresh fluid is being bled out.
When doing this, keep an eye on the reservoir as you DO NOT want it to run dry during the process.
When doing this, keep an eye on the reservoir as you DO NOT want it to run dry during the process.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,883
Likes: 76
From: Portland OR
I do all my own work so did mine when I swapped to stainless steel lines and powder coated calipers. About 2 years later I put front calipers in the rear and actually disassembled the master cylinder, cleaned it up and put it back together. Everything works great now.
Chris
Chris
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
The problem is the previous owners did not keep records, so I don't know for sure if it was changed or not. It should not be a big problem because all the components are stainless steel, unlike C3s.
Worth it to me to pay 100 bucks since I am not as young as I used to be.
Worth it to me to pay 100 bucks since I am not as young as I used to be.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 11,204
Likes: 1,139
From: Santa Rosa Beach FL
Condensation is the enemy. I change mine out every 2 yrs.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
Yes and that moisture in the fluid corrodes parts in older cars, but it won't hurt stainless steel. Two years is overkill.
There is no interval schedule in the manual for brake fluid change.
There is no interval schedule in the manual for brake fluid change.
What do the auto makers say about fluid changes? General Motors and Chrysler do not mention brake fluid in their
scheduled maintenance recommendations. A General Motors spokesman said Delco Supreme 11 DOT 3 brake fluid
contains additives than many other brake fluids do not, so it is essentially a lifetime fluid. Starting in 1993, GM began
using a new type of rubber brake hose with an EPM lining and outer jacketing that reduces moisture penetration by 50%.
So GM does not consider fluid contamination to be a significant problem.
scheduled maintenance recommendations. A General Motors spokesman said Delco Supreme 11 DOT 3 brake fluid
contains additives than many other brake fluids do not, so it is essentially a lifetime fluid. Starting in 1993, GM began
using a new type of rubber brake hose with an EPM lining and outer jacketing that reduces moisture penetration by 50%.
So GM does not consider fluid contamination to be a significant problem.
Last edited by JR-01; Jan 21, 2014 at 01:42 PM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 20,030
Likes: 289
From: Wylie TX --> Less is More, except under the hood !
I got a procedure on my web site where you can do it yourself, and put on new Stainless Braided lines.
www.ToqueZ06.com
Good luck !
Toque
www.ToqueZ06.com
Good luck !
Toque
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,071
Likes: 14
From: Odessa TX
Mityvac, motive power bleeder, or a friend. I've used all 3, end result is the same, but the Motive is definitely the easiest. Don't need to worry about constantly adding in brake fluid and etc. Longest part of this process will be getting the car jacked up and the tires off/on.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
From: Louisville Ky
As Black 02 said, get the Power Bleeder and it is easy. You will never pay anyone to do it again. It is an easy job and you will be proud doing it yourself. All instructions are included so don't fear!
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
I did it on my C3 with a Motive bleeder. I don't plan on doing it again.
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 99
Likes: 1
From: Cumberland Center ME
I think one of the main reasons to change the fluid is to get fresh fluid through the ABS valves and pump. Old fluid can cause sticking within the pump. Had mine done last fall cost about $ 120, the garage had a Tech II so I had them cycle the ABS brakes several times.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
From: Erie PA
Green Brake Fluid (I don’t mean environmental green)
When you change your brake fluid pay attention to the color of the old fluid compare to the new stuff. I just change the fluid in my 2002 (w/48,000 miles and probably the original fluid) and it was a dark green color .Well, I did a little online research and it turns out that corrosion from any copper alloy that's integrated into the steel brake lines will cause the greenish tint over time. Let us know.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 4,558
Likes: 286
From: Houston Texas
C5 COTM Coordinator
I thought it was fairly easy but I did order the motive power bleeder before attempting it. I removed all four wheels after putting it on jack stands, and then sucked as much of the fluid out of the reservoir as I could. After filling it with fresh I pumped up the power bleeder and was ready to work. Start with the passenger rear, then the driver rear, then the passenger front and finally the driver front. The reason for this is that you want to start with the section furthest away from the master. I chose to use blue brake fluid so there was no question that I had fresh fluid all around, but that is up to you. If you fluid is really 13 years old, which I hope it isn't, it should be easy to tell when fresh fluid is being bled out.
When doing this, keep an eye on the reservoir as you DO NOT want it to run dry during the process.
When doing this, keep an eye on the reservoir as you DO NOT want it to run dry during the process.
I could use your help soon, i'm going to be installing Stainless Steel Brake Lines, Speed Bleeders, Baer Eradispeed Rotors, and fresh Motul Brake Fluid. Of course i'd, compensate you with lunch afterwards.
