Changing Brake Fluid
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 1,920
Likes: 84
From: Roanoke Virginia
Changing Brake Fluid
I am contemplating doing some HPDE events with my 2005 C6. I want to change brake fluid. Is this a task that a do it yourselfer can accomplish? I have done a search of the TECH section and cannot find a good thread that outlines step by step instructions for a C6 fluid change and bleeding. Should I leave it to the pro's or try it myself? Do I need to invest in any special equipment?
Don't want to save time and money by a DIY job and screw something up. Thoughts ????
Don't want to save time and money by a DIY job and screw something up. Thoughts ????
Moderator
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 40,887
Likes: 4,342
From: Lakewood Ranch, FL
Stoptech has a lot of good information. Go here and go to step 8.
http://www.stoptech.com/tech_info/ma...C_03-02-06.pdf
http://www.stoptech.com/tech_info/ma...C_03-02-06.pdf
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,939
Likes: 448
From: CHOCOWINITY NC
A Motive power bleeder makes it an easy one man job. Invest in the tools if you plan to track the car. You'll need to do this frequently!
http://www.motiveproducts.com/
http://www.motiveproducts.com/
Last edited by Modshack; Nov 29, 2007 at 11:32 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 7,588
Likes: 6
From: Montreal Qc
A Motive power bleeder makes it an easy one man job. Invest in the tools if you plan to track the car. You'll need to do this frequently!
http://www.motiveproducts.com/
http://www.motiveproducts.com/
...but if you're not quite ready to buy these things it can still be done easily enough with you and a helper. 
Of course it will help if you've done it before, if not ask around, once someone shows you how to do it properly it is quite easy. Personally I prefer to do it myself than go to a shop, for me it gives me a chance to check out the car, and it's satisfying doing the work myself and kind of relaxing.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 3,064
Likes: 6
From: Pinellas Park Florida
Use the Motive power bleeder @ 15psi. Because of the ABS system on this car flushing and bleeding is done using a RR,LF,LR,RF sequence as defined in the service manual. To get that solid pedal feel on the final bleed have someone help doing the old brake pedal pump. When I was doing Time trials, AutoX, and HPDE's, I found that it was better to bleed the brakes before and after each event. Bleeding and flushing is not a technically demanding job, just be careful with the bleeder valve-the rest of the job is just grunt work. It is one of those jobs that I do myself to make sure it is done to my satisfaction.
CF Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,313
Likes: 25
From: Tucson Arizona
I'm not an expert but I agree....I bought a Motive Power Bleeder and it works well (although it will sometimes pop-off under pressure). I don't fill the Motive tank with brake fluid....I just use it for pressure. Definitely switch to Motul 600 or another brand of 'racing' fluid.
For all practical purposes you can flush the old fluid from the system yourself. From what I understand, however, you can't totally flush the system without having a Tech II to 'exercise' the ABS circuits. I've flushed the system previously but I recently installed Stoptech stainless steel brake lines and decided it would be a good time to have the dealership flush the system once completely and re-fill with fresh Motul fluid.
Although your stock brakes will likely work 'well enough,' I experienced some definite 'fading' towards the end on an on-track session. I switched to C5 Z-compound pads (which along with Motul fluid) helped quite a bit.
For all practical purposes you can flush the old fluid from the system yourself. From what I understand, however, you can't totally flush the system without having a Tech II to 'exercise' the ABS circuits. I've flushed the system previously but I recently installed Stoptech stainless steel brake lines and decided it would be a good time to have the dealership flush the system once completely and re-fill with fresh Motul fluid.
Although your stock brakes will likely work 'well enough,' I experienced some definite 'fading' towards the end on an on-track session. I switched to C5 Z-compound pads (which along with Motul fluid) helped quite a bit.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,795
Likes: 62
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
I am a fan of speed bleeders. basically one way spring tensioned ball valves within a modified bleeder screw.Tighten them and there is no fluid flow , loosen then 1/2 turn and as you pump the brake pedal the brake fluid flows out of the center channel via a piece of tubing you supply into any collection container.
It makes bleeding brakes an easy one person DIY.
All you need to do is loosen, pump until the fluid in the tube is clear and, keep brake master cylinder topped up.
http://www.speedbleeder.com/
It makes bleeding brakes an easy one person DIY.
All you need to do is loosen, pump until the fluid in the tube is clear and, keep brake master cylinder topped up.
http://www.speedbleeder.com/
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Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,612
Likes: 0
From: Streamwood IL
I like the combination of the speed bleeders and the motive pressure bleeder.
The speed bleeders prevent ANY air from coming back into the caliper. I can open the bleeder, attach a tube and a catch can, then go pump the brake pedal a few times to bleed them out. Unfortunatly I can't watch what's happening. However, if I can get some help ("go pump the brake pedal a few times.") then I can watch what's coming out.
I like to use the motive pressure bleeder to be that helper when I am working alone in my garage. However, I don't bring the bleeder to the track with me, so if I need to bleed brakes AT the track, I am VERY happy to have speed bleeders on. I can always find someone willing to pump the brake pedal for me at the track.
For an HPDE, I would reccomend a good DOT4 fluid like ATE SuperBlue or Motul600. I would reccomend track specific pads. I like Carbotech, XP8's should be a good start front and rear. Don't go for "street/track" combo pads. They suck for both the street AND the track. Stainless brake lines are not necessiary, but might be something you add down the road if you get more into HPDE.
The speed bleeders prevent ANY air from coming back into the caliper. I can open the bleeder, attach a tube and a catch can, then go pump the brake pedal a few times to bleed them out. Unfortunatly I can't watch what's happening. However, if I can get some help ("go pump the brake pedal a few times.") then I can watch what's coming out.
I like to use the motive pressure bleeder to be that helper when I am working alone in my garage. However, I don't bring the bleeder to the track with me, so if I need to bleed brakes AT the track, I am VERY happy to have speed bleeders on. I can always find someone willing to pump the brake pedal for me at the track.
For an HPDE, I would reccomend a good DOT4 fluid like ATE SuperBlue or Motul600. I would reccomend track specific pads. I like Carbotech, XP8's should be a good start front and rear. Don't go for "street/track" combo pads. They suck for both the street AND the track. Stainless brake lines are not necessiary, but might be something you add down the road if you get more into HPDE.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 615
Likes: 2
From: Mill Creek WA
So, for the FIRST time changing brake fluid, is it necessary to have a dealer flush the old fluid out of the ABS system and replace it with brake fluid that your supplied them with? Are dealers OK with that?
Pro
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 615
Likes: 2
From: Mill Creek WA
Wayne O [Italics mine]:
I've read this mentioned several times on this forum. Is it really necessary to have a dealer flush the old fluid out of the ABS system. Of course, if a dealer flushes the system out, what are they going to put back in?
For all practical purposes you can flush the old fluid from the system yourself. From what I understand, however, you can't totally flush the system without having a Tech II to 'exercise' the ABS circuits. I've flushed the system previously but I recently installed Stoptech stainless steel brake lines and decided it would be a good time to have the dealership flush the system once completely and re-fill with fresh Motul fluid.
