How often?
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,602
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From: Cincinnati OH
I bleed the brakes usually when I change the pads - mostly because I enjoy the "project" for something to do on a Saturday.
I don't drive the car hard enough to boil brake fluid as a general rule, but I figure for $4 a can, it's cheap insurance.
I don't drive the car hard enough to boil brake fluid as a general rule, but I figure for $4 a can, it's cheap insurance.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Glassboro New Jersey
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From: Big Bend Country, TX
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15- '16-'17-‘18-‘19-'20-'21
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From: King George VA
After every session on the track. 
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 790
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From: Pensacola FL
Thanks guys. I'm gonna go the every 2 thing. So do I dare ask any special kind of fluid or just regular? Also before storeage or after? I know I know question questions but better to ask than not right! Thanks again
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From: Big Bend Country, TX
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15- '16-'17-‘18-‘19-'20-'21
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Pensacola FL
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From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
Ford makes a DOT3 that comes closer to DOT4 specs, lots of folks use that. I used in for track days in our C5 and it worked well.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2010
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From: Sussex WI
St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
I look at the fluid in the reservoir and depending on the discoloration level, I'll take a syringe and take out most of the fluid in the reservoir and then re-fill with fresh new happy fluid.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: Green Bay Wisconsin
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From: King George VA
AMSOIL Series 500 High Performance DOT 3 Brake Fluid (Product Code BF3SN)
Dry Boiling Point - 525F, Wet Boiling Point - 313F
AMSOIL Series 600 DOT 4 Racing Brake Fluid (Product Code BF4SN)
Dry Boiling Point - 580F, Wet Boiling Point - 410F
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From: Big Bend Country, TX
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15- '16-'17-‘18-‘19-'20-'21
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Pro
Joined: Mar 2011
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From: Lake Worth Florida
Have never done it. Just curious, if you do it every 2 years does it prevent the corrosion mentioned?
You guys that do it, do you use the old school method of pumping the pedal or do you use a pressurized bleeder? The reason I ask is because I have seen more than one master cylinder ruined by the pedal pump method.
You guys that do it, do you use the old school method of pumping the pedal or do you use a pressurized bleeder? The reason I ask is because I have seen more than one master cylinder ruined by the pedal pump method.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 265
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From: Metamora, IL
Good question. I use a vacuum bleeder and pull the fluid from the bleeder screw. Works great. One note I have not seen from anyone in this post. Most of the dirt, rust particles etc will settle out at the end of the system, i.e. at the calipers. If/when you need a brake job, it is imperative that you don't just push the caliper pistons in and force fluid and dirt back into the system. You always want to open the bleeder when compressing the pistons and expel the fluid via a hose into a container. If you choose to use the pumping method, I suggest you don't push the pedal more than half way down. I have also seen damaged master cylinder from pushing the pedal all the way to the floor.
