Did some searching on this. Anyone know how to do it or point me to a site to see it. I want to flush out the old fluid completely and replace with new.

 

I used a old windex bottle to suck out the old fluid from the reservoir. Filled it with clean fluid and then opened each valve one at a time on the caliper's and had my son push on the brakes to get the old fluid out of the lines. Just make sure you keep looking and fluid level in the reservoir to make sure there is enough. This is how I did it. Other people will tell you different ways to do it..my 2 cents.

 

There are several ways:

1) Gravity bleed (just open the bleeder(s) and let gravity do the work.
2) Helper inside you outside, they pump the brakes while you open the bleeder screws.
3) Power bleeder (my preference) that uses compressed air to push fluid through.
4) Speed bleeders (used to replace bleeder screws)-they are one way valves so they let no air in, only fluid out.

I'm sure there are more.

 

There is a system that will pressurize the brake master cylinder. Fill the master with fluid... crack the passenger rear caliper bleeder screw and tighten it when you see the fresh fluid exiting the bleeder. Then move to the driver's rear. Then move to the passenger front... then the driver's front.

Another option is the same procedure but you apply vacuum to the bleeder screws with a Mity Vac. It's nice to have a helper to refill the master cylinder as the fluid gets low.

 

The easiest way to do this is by using the Motive brake bleeder (one like this http://www.amazon.com/Motive-Product...9420827&sr=8-1)

Fill the Motive unit with brake fluid, connect it to the master cylinder and pump it up to recommended pressure. Then just go the the farthest brake bleeder valve from the master cylinder, should be the RR, and open the valve and let it run until you can see new fluid coming out and then close it. Go to LR, then RF and then LF and bleed them all using the same method. Make sure you keep plenty of fluid in the Motive container at all times. Thats all there is to it.

 

Ok, don't flame me if I get the letters wrong, but does this also flush the ABS? I thought I read somewhere that a specialized tool/machine was needed for that to completely flush the system...

 

Using the method I described you will flush the complete brake system including the ABS.

 

I can't tell from your avatar or your profile what year your car is. The bleed sequence changes in 2001.

1997 to 2000 cars bleed RR LR RF LF

2001 to 2004 cars bleed RR LF LR RF

 

Is there a reason that the bleed sequence would change?

Thanks in advance

 

Yes, in 2001 the brake lines were routed differently at the ABS. The ABS also lost it's bias spring in 2001 which may have been the reason for the change in the lines.

 

Guys

I'm reading post after post trying to fully understand what it takes to fully flush my brake system. Being an Engineer I like to fully understand what I'm doing BEFORE I do it, and have a procedure in hand. I also plan to install new SS brake lines and speed bleeders. I just learned how to install SS brake lines, brake bleeders, and bleed brakes this weekend on my friends 03 Z06. . It was fun learning something new. We did not flush the entire brake system though.

The Motive brake bleeder will pressurize the master cylinder and force the old fluid out of the entire brake system (except ABS part). That makes sense. This allows you to not have to pump the brake pedal right ?. Bleed one caliper at a time, and wait until you see the new fluid draining into the drain container (using clear tubing) and no bubbles are observed exiting the caliper.

I have an 2004 Z06 so I read that I need to bleed RR -> LF -> LR -> RF.

I'm also reading that your supposed to suck out 3/4 of the old brake fluid from the reservoir first. Then fill the reservoir with new fluid. Why add new fluid to the reservoir and mix it with the 1/4 old fluid that you did not remove ? That seems odd to me.

I guess I'm confused about how the Motive brake bleeder really works to pressurize the master cylinder, evacuates the old fluid and introduces the new fluid without mixing it all together.

Any insight on how that really works ?

Thanks !
Toque

 

Ok.... Doing some more reading on here.

1.) First off I will install the 4 brake bleeders, and SS lines which is my plan.
2.) I remove most of the brake fluid from my master cylinder with a turkey baster. Be sure not to drain it completely. Do not want to introduce Air into the system.
3.) Pour new fluid in and fill my master cylinder (close cap).
4.) Pump brake pedal numerous times to force liquid from cylinder into system to be flushed.
4.) On my 2004 Z06 I need to bleed RR -> LF -> LR -> RF. Do each caliper until I see the clean new fluid and no bubbles. Drain into clear container with clear line to see liquid color of new fluid, and observe bubbles disappear.
5.) Keep a close eye on my master cylinder fluid level to make sure it does not go empty as I'm bleeding each caliper. Add fluid as it starts to get low.
6) Top off fluid level to recommended max level once bleeding of all 4 calipers is complete.

I read that a little over a liter of fluid will be needed. I can get Motul RBF600 fluid, SS brake lines, and brake bleeders at LG's down the street.

Is that the simple way of doing this ?

Thanks !
Toque.

 

I flush the brake fluid every year. Its very simple, especially if there is not a great amount of air in the system. I just employ the gf to pump the brake pedal as I open/close the screws. Push the pedal down, open the screw, close the screw, let go of the pedal. My C6Z brakes have 2 screws per caliper, and so I need to go from side to side as well. Some screaming inevitably ensues between us during this process, but thats how we are. Doesn't take more than a litre to do all four wheels.

I seem to remember reading that this method will NOT remove all the old fluid from the ABS hydraulic unit. I believe that there are fluid resevoirs inside that don't connect to the system unless the ABS is actually cycling. Apparently, you need a TECH 2 to bleed it.

 

I read the same about the ABS and needing TECH 2. I figure if I start doing this yearly it will eventually clear things out. Getting the brake bleeders will allow me to be able to do it myself and save myself the headache with my wife...

SO you just drain most of the fluid from the reservoir and put in new stuff, and flush till you see the new stuff some out of the caliper ? (Like my procedure above (Post #12) ?

Thanks !
Toque

 

Yup!

Hey Toque...did you make it back to Nova Scotia this summer?

 

Thanks for the confirmation !
Yes I did ! Had a great time chilling with my 2 brothers/mom in Truro. Where are you ? Wife wants to move back home. I tell her if the right opportunity comes up I might.

Toque

 

I posted a pic a while back of something, and there was an Alexander Keith's bottle in the background...it seemed to make you homesick

The gf and I took the Vette out to Cape Breton last year and it's gorgeous out there. If I could figure out how to make money there, I'd move myself

 

I thought about it after I posted above, and I thought that was you drinking my favorite beer up in the Cape... It still makes me home sick... So much so that I named my son after my favorite beer

I'm working on some contacts back home. One day I might make it back ...

Toque

 

I would expect that your engineering training would direct you to consult the correct technical publication (the service manual) for the procedure.

 

I'm at work, my service manual is at home.
Working crazy hours lately. I just have not had time to look it up yet.
I do however have a few mins here and there to surf the web at work though. . Thanks for calling me out on that though...

Toque