I have a 2005 vert with 53000 miles really needs a brake fluid change, but my last car was a German version of a Brit and it has me kind of gun shy. Should I be aware of any special proceedures for the ABS?

Thanks for the help

I am a newbe to the Vette

 

Hi, and welcome to Vette ownership and the Corvette Forum!!

It sounds like you're interested in flushing in the new fluid yourself - if you were taking it to a dealership you'd just let them do their thing, and you wouldn't be worrying about the ABS.

A Tech 2 is required to open the ABS valves to get new fluid into the ABS circuits when flushing in new fluid.

I don't worry about that myself - when flushing my Z06 brake system I know that when I take it to the track that I'll get into the ABS enough to circulate some of the fresh fluid into the ABS lines.

You have a vert, so you won't be going to roadcourse track events. However, many people will flush in new fluid, take the car out where they can do a couple ABS stops, bring it back to the garage, and flush some more fresh fluid into the system - and that's what I do for the ZR1 that I don't track. Take a look at this StopTech site page:

http://stoptech.com/technical-suppor...l-white-papers


You can see tech bulletins on about everything you need to know about your brakes, and if you scroll down there's an article about "•Bleeding ABS, is it really as hard as it sounds?".

In there they mention the "taking it out for a drive and doing some ABS stops" procedure.

It will take around 1 quart/liter or a little more to flush your system - at least 1.5 if you do the ABS stops and then flush again.

Bob

 

First, a general recommendation is brake fluid should be changed every 2 years, not required by any known owner's manual or manufacturer, just an often followed suggestion by folks who like to take care of their cars.

As for bleeding with ABS, there are 2 schools of thought. The most often suggested is, the ABS module has to be exercised during the bleeding process in order to force the old fluid out, and that requires a Tech II tool, not a DIY tool due to cost.

The other suggestion is don't worry about the fluid in the ABS module IF you are changing fluid every 2 years. I've read that there isn't much fluid in the module and it isn't critical to flush it out. It will get moved out during hard braking if the ABS is activated and will then get flushed out at the next change.

Don't let the master run empty as any air that gets into the ABS necessitates using a Tech II to get fluid back into it.

 

Both of the above posts have good advice. The only thing I'd add is to use some decent fluid.

San

 

Thanks guys
I use a pressure bleeder that does a really neat job. one man real fast.

After reading at the site Bob gave me and the rest of the information from you I will be satisfied getting the main system cleaned up. This is a street car. It is likely the fluid will remain in the ABS for a long time. GM does not have the brake fluid on the maintance schedule at all.

I was concerned because mine is black as ink and I just purchased the car. I looked at 10 different vettes and none of them had the brake fluid changed. Most of them were not maintained near as well as this one.

Thanks again for the help

 

Do you have a manual transmission???

If so, don't forget the clutch fluid!!!

Bob

 

No Bob auto tranmission. The car was well maintained Transmisson was just serviced. New filters all around even the cabin air filter but for some reason I don't know never touched the brake fluid.