I don't want to mess up specially the brakes!
flush brake fluid
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,074
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From: San Francisco CA
Plus is there any chance that by doing this will it mess up the brake system or cause leaks in any way?
Same thing for power steering fluid and anti-freeze coolant is there a preferred time to change these two fluids without any problems?
Racer
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 329
Likes: 17
From: Hudson, WI
Brake Fluid absorbs moisture over time and should be replaced every 3 or 4 years. I did this job a few times on my previous car (99 Camaro Z28) and it is a relatively simple procedure that requires you to open the brake bleeders individually on each caliper. The dealer will probably use a piece of equipment that pulls the brake fluid through the system by creating a vacuum (as opposed to using the brake pedal to push the fluid through). They should start at the right rear and pull fluid through until all of the old (usually darker) fluid is gone, close that bleeder and then move to the left rear. Same process there, move to the right front, same process, then finally the left front. It is important to keep the master cylinder full of fresh new fluid throughout the process so that air isn't introduced to the system.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Middle TN by way of KY, OH, VA, IL, CA, FL, NY, SC, HI
I do it about every 3 years each on all my cars. As the previous poster said, brake fluid absorbs moisture {is hygroscopic}, and as it absorbs moisture (to protest your brake components and prevent boiling and loss of braking power) it has less margin and capacity to remove additional moisture. It will get darker as it absorbs moisture (and some contaminants), and the farther from the reservior the darker the fluid tends to get.
Be sure to use the right fluid (no mixing allowed
), and keep it off of painted surfaces. Keep the coolant reservior full as previously stated.
I use a hand vacuum pump and do it the same time I pull the wheels to clean them and inspect the brakes (and on 2 of 3 cars, rotate the tires). Very easy. Between flushes I do not ever open the reservior cap to prevent moisture and dirt entry, there is no advantage to topping off the brake fluid reservior IMO.
Some people never flush their brakes and are okay, but why risk it when it is cheap and easy. With proper maintenance, brakes are a system that never needs repairs.
Be sure to use the right fluid (no mixing allowed
), and keep it off of painted surfaces. Keep the coolant reservior full as previously stated.I use a hand vacuum pump and do it the same time I pull the wheels to clean them and inspect the brakes (and on 2 of 3 cars, rotate the tires). Very easy. Between flushes I do not ever open the reservior cap to prevent moisture and dirt entry, there is no advantage to topping off the brake fluid reservior IMO.
Some people never flush their brakes and are okay, but why risk it when it is cheap and easy. With proper maintenance, brakes are a system that never needs repairs.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 329
Likes: 17
From: Hudson, WI
Also, properly done, I don't think there is a way that a brake fluid flush will cause any problems with the brake system. Problems could be caused by letting air in the system (by not keeping the master cylinder filled during the process), but any tech should know not to do this. I can't see how any leaks would be caused by this process. The only way that could happen is if they don't tighten down the bleeders when they are done.
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Drifting
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From: Oahu HI
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Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2002
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From: San Francisco CA
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Oahu HI
Pro
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: ROANOKE VA
How many miles on car.If you decide to do it yourself you will need to take car out and get on the brakes hard enought to ativate abs, this will flush complete system. If you have a dealer do it he should use his tech 2 to do this.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,098
Likes: 8
From: Dayton Ohio
Install a set of speed bleeders. They make brake fluid changes an easy, 1-man job.
I will typically flush brake fluid once a year because it takes so little time. Then maybe every 3-4 years I will have someone with a scan tool actually open the ABS to completely flush it out.
I will typically flush brake fluid once a year because it takes so little time. Then maybe every 3-4 years I will have someone with a scan tool actually open the ABS to completely flush it out.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
For normal driving or autocross, every two years sounds about right for me. For a grocery getter, I flush every time the pads get replaced.
As mentioned, the Tech II is needed to completely flush the system.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2002
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From: San Francisco CA
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Oahu HI
Racer
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 321
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From: Southern NH
I used the Mighty-Vac pump to bleed the brakes. Works Pro!I bought the car at 2 years old w/ 22k on the clock. I went to a track day and the 4th session the pedal went to the floor
. I had figured how much attention could a performance car like this w/ low miles need? Well I learned. I completely replaced the fluid w/ Wilwood 600 fluid. It is classed as a DOT4, but I think you'll find it has a higher boiling point than most any other DOT4 fluid out there (that I could find anyways). I've done one track day and about 3k miles of street driving.
I just installed the Doug Rippie braided brake lines this week. I bled the brakes w/ the pump again, not completely replacing the fluid, but I pulled plenty extra fluid as it was starting to get a little dirty, most likely from the track day at New Jersey's Thunderbolt road course.
Great fluid is a great mod to your car if you track day it!
Team Owner
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From: San Francisco CA
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2008
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From: Lake Worth Beach, Florida
If you flush the brake fluid through the brake bleeders you will not get the fluid out of the anti-lock portion of the system. The only way to completely bleed the system is to have someone use the Tech II to activate the anti-lock.