How often do you flush your brake fluid?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,752
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From: Parkersburg West Virginia
Cruise-In X Veteran
How often do you flush your brake fluid?
Just dropped my '99 off at the stealership for them to flush the brake fluid and do a four wheel alignment. The car only has 39,000 miles but the fluid was absolutely filthy. The car also has upgraded brakes so the fluid can't be any more than 25,000 miles old.
Tech Contributor
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From: Dyer, IN
http://www.aa1car.com/library/bfluid.htm
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,752
Likes: 15
From: Parkersburg West Virginia
Cruise-In X Veteran
The color of the fluid is not a conclusive evaluation of it's condition. Your motor oil goes in golden brown, but turns dark well before a change is required as well.
http://www.aa1car.com/library/bfluid.htm
http://www.aa1car.com/library/bfluid.htm
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,423
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From: Dyer, IN
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,752
Likes: 15
From: Parkersburg West Virginia
Cruise-In X Veteran
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,423
Likes: 1,146
From: Dyer, IN
It really depends how you drive the car. I would suspect that most people never have their brake system flushed for the life of the car (grocery getter, etc). If you demand top performance from you car at all times, then changing the brake fluid on a regular basis ensures it will perform to your expectations.
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It's more a matter of time than miles. brake fluid will absorb moisture over time so I am a believer in getting the fluid completely flushed every 5 years or so, regardless of mileage.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 115
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From: Tampa FL
Synthetic & Garden Sprayer
Disclaimer: I don't race and there are smarter guys than me on this forum.
Here's how I handle brake fluid flush. I always use synthetic because I read once that it didn't tend to absorb as much moisture over time. I use a garden sprayer and put in a quart or so of brake fluid. Then connect the sprayer hose to a spare master cylinder fluid cap by drilling out the vent hole and inserting a brass nipple. Pressure up the sprayer a little, open up the bleed valve on the right rear wheel, let it drain. Next LR then RF and LF wheels - the idea is get the long brakelines in the back done first, then the front.
If I'm doing something stupid, please correct me so at least others don't mess up their fine rigs.
Here's how I handle brake fluid flush. I always use synthetic because I read once that it didn't tend to absorb as much moisture over time. I use a garden sprayer and put in a quart or so of brake fluid. Then connect the sprayer hose to a spare master cylinder fluid cap by drilling out the vent hole and inserting a brass nipple. Pressure up the sprayer a little, open up the bleed valve on the right rear wheel, let it drain. Next LR then RF and LF wheels - the idea is get the long brakelines in the back done first, then the front.
If I'm doing something stupid, please correct me so at least others don't mess up their fine rigs.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,937
Likes: 21
From: Waldorf MD
I usually keep my cars about 10 years and 110,000 miles and have never flushed brake fluid, UNTIL. . . I replaced rotors and pads at about 115,000 miles on my C5, figured might as well flush them. BTW, this was the 3rd set of pads (counting originals). Took the second set (GM Ceramics) off early as I was not happy with them.
Last edited by Oldvetter; Apr 3, 2009 at 11:52 PM.
