Re: How do YOU do a brake fluid flush ?
[Re: dOoC]
#2738940
02/02/20 10:29 AM
02/02/20 10:29 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,482 Lake Orion, MI
goldduster318
pro stock
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pro stock
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,482
Lake Orion, MI
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-Lay down some towels in case of spilling -Turkey baster out the reservoir -Fill Reservoir with fresh fluid -Push through using the pedal starting with the farthest wheel, checking the reservoir level often until it's clean/clear fluid.
I try not to push the pedal all the way to the floor on old cars or ones with dirty fluid.
I run DOT4 in everything, usually ATE SL.6 for ABS/ESC vehicles or ATE TYP. 200 for non-ABS vehicles.
I'm willing to bet the dealers typically don't flush fluid whatsoever, there's nothing about it in most owners manuals.
'70 Duster 470hp 340/T56 Magnum/8 3/4 3.23 Sure-Grip
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Re: How do YOU do a brake fluid flush ?
[Re: dOoC]
#2738979
02/02/20 11:58 AM
02/02/20 11:58 AM
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 19,479 north of coder
moparx
"Butt Crack Bob"
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"Butt Crack Bob"
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 19,479
north of coder
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as golduster said. or use one of those vacuum pumps with the reservoir at each wheel, pumping until clear, new fluid is present. still need to keep close eyeball on master so to not run it dry.
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Re: How do YOU do a brake fluid flush ?
[Re: dOoC]
#2739001
02/02/20 12:55 PM
02/02/20 12:55 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,482 Lake Orion, MI
goldduster318
pro stock
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pro stock
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,482
Lake Orion, MI
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So dusty .. are you suggesting that some dealers charge for it .. and don’t actually do it OR even try to do it ?
IIRC ... the typical dealer charge was 180$ I'm saying its not usually a suggested service item. Clearly you got a "we don't want to do it" price, because on a non-rusty car it's a cake job. I'm an engineer at a company that makes a lot of OEM brakes, though I work on stability control and not calipers, even our garage techs bleed by either pushing through or by using a pressure bleeder that hooks up to the cap. If a dealer had one of those, they should be done in under 45 minutes including taking the wheels off. Even the fluid I suggested should only cost you like $15 for a liter which is enough to do anything smaller than a full size truck.
'70 Duster 470hp 340/T56 Magnum/8 3/4 3.23 Sure-Grip
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Re: How do YOU do a brake fluid flush ?
[Re: goldduster318]
#2739024
02/02/20 02:04 PM
02/02/20 02:04 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,672 Buford, GA
I_bleed_MOPAR
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,672
Buford, GA
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-Lay down some towels in case of spilling -Turkey baster out the reservoir -Fill Reservoir with fresh fluid -Push through using the pedal starting with the farthest wheel, checking the reservoir level often until it's clean/clear fluid.
I try not to push the pedal all the way to the floor on old cars or ones with dirty fluid.
I run DOT4 in everything, usually ATE SL.6 for ABS/ESC vehicles or ATE TYP. 200 for non-ABS vehicles.
I'm willing to bet the dealers typically don't flush fluid whatsoever, there's nothing about it in most owners manuals. X 2 Only difference is I gravity bled the system. I usually didn't upsell a brake flush but my writer loved to try, especially on a major service. Tim
'71 Charger 383/727 '17 Challenger SXT (Wifeys car )
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Re: How do YOU do a brake fluid flush ?
[Re: dOoC]
#2739099
02/02/20 05:12 PM
02/02/20 05:12 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 25,877 Rio Linda, CA
John_Kunkel
Too Many Posts
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Too Many Posts
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 25,877
Rio Linda, CA
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With a pressure bleeder, open each bleeder until the fluid runs clear. Newer systems with ABS are more complex, they require a scanner to run the ABS pump.
The INTERNET, the MISinformation superhighway
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Re: How do YOU do a brake fluid flush ?
[Re: John_Kunkel]
#2739140
02/02/20 07:02 PM
02/02/20 07:02 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,482 Lake Orion, MI
goldduster318
pro stock
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pro stock
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,482
Lake Orion, MI
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With a pressure bleeder, open each bleeder until the fluid runs clear. Newer systems with ABS are more complex, they require a scanner to run the ABS pump. Unless there is a ton of air in the ABS system you don't need to run the pump. You won't get 100% of the old fluid out since some will be in the pump and accumulator areas but that's okay. If you are doing it every 2-3 years it will come out at the next change. Also forgot to mention that I use a pickle jar and clear tubing from home depot to catch the fluid on the other end.
'70 Duster 470hp 340/T56 Magnum/8 3/4 3.23 Sure-Grip
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Re: How do YOU do a brake fluid flush ?
[Re: goldduster318]
#2739170
02/02/20 08:44 PM
02/02/20 08:44 PM
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,640 in a cattle trailer down by th...
Guitar Jones
Paddle faster! I hear banjo music!
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Paddle faster! I hear banjo music!
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,640
in a cattle trailer down by th...
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We have a machine, pressure fills the master with hoses that suck the fluid out of each corner. Moisture is what kills brake fluid. The higher humidity areas of the country should do it every 2-3 years. Drier climates can go longer.
"Follow me the wise man said, but he walked behind"
'92 D250 Club Cab CTD, 47RH conversion, pump tweaks, injectors, rear disc and hydroboost conversion. '74 W200 Crew Cab 360, NV4500, D44, D60 and NP205 divorced transfer case. Rear disc and hydroboost conversion. 2019 1500 Long Horn Crew Cab 4WD, 5.7 Hemi.
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Re: How do YOU do a brake fluid flush ?
[Re: Guitar Jones]
#2739192
02/02/20 09:59 PM
02/02/20 09:59 PM
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,655 Cut and Shoot, TX
kentj340
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,655
Cut and Shoot, TX
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As far as I can tell, maintenance schedules to flush brake systems first appeared in the owner's manuals of Japanese cars and then spread to domestic.
I put disposable aluminum pans sized about 1 ft x 2 ft behind the wheels to catch drips. Depending on the locations of bleeder valves, it may not be necessary to remove the wheels.
Remove old fluid from master with a turkey baster or similar and fill with new fluid. Note that if you flushed this same system a few years ago, the old fluid may not be very dark. For that reason, have several clear jars and retain a sample of old fluid to show the color.
Starting with the most distant wheel cylinder from the master, usually right rear, attach a clear plastic tube to the bleed valve, open the bleed screw, and allow the cylinder to gravity drain into a clear jar. If it won't drain, gently push the brake pedal half travel to get it started. It helps a lot to have a weight on the outlet end of the plastic tubing to keep it submerged in the jar. I use a 3"-4" section of stainless tube as a weight. Closely observe the color of the draining fluid using the retained color sample of old fluid. Once new, clear fluid is detected, close up, refill the master, and move to the next wheel closest to the master, usually the left rear, then right front, and left front.
Each time I've done this, it took about a quart of brake fluid. Never let the master go dry.
Some parts store bleeder kits want you to pull a vacuum on the clear outlet tubing. My experience is that this is not needed. Gravity does the job. Besides, a vacuum pulls air bubbles down the bleeder valve threads, giving a false impression of air bubbles coming out of the system.
If you don't see two dolphins, you need a vacation.
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Re: How do YOU do a brake fluid flush ?
[Re: kentj340]
#2739208
02/02/20 11:09 PM
02/02/20 11:09 PM
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 11,611 Fulton County, PA
CMcAllister
Mr. Helpful
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Mr. Helpful
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 11,611
Fulton County, PA
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First post nailed it. Clean the master reservoir. Fill with clean fluid. Push fluid through at all the wheels until it all runs clean. I do it. Often with a pad change since you're already there. Moisture and dirt pushed out. If you're paying attention, it makes the brakes feel better.
If the results don't match the theory, change the theory.
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Re: How do YOU do a brake fluid flush ?
[Re: Canucklehead]
#2739228
02/03/20 01:17 AM
02/03/20 01:17 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,122 Auburn WA
Dave_J
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,122
Auburn WA
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Most of the posts are spot on. Every time I buy a (used) car This is one of the first things I do on a full service. I try to install 'Speed Bleeders' when I do a car. This way it takes just one to pump the brake pedel.
On my 84 Dodge Rampage I used my Myovac and sucked out the Espresso coffee from the master cylinder. Then working the weight adjustable proportional valve I bled RR, LR, RF LF.
Every 3 years. We are wet up here.
Retired, US ARMY 1973-1994 ASE mechanic, Electrical 1994-1997 Retired GTE/VERIZON/FRONTIER 1997-2015
Posting cheap tech help (CRAP) here since Nov 97, 1000's of posts, some may be good.
03 Suzuki Burgman 650(Burger King) Scooter 65 Formula S Cuda 78 Little Red Express Truck 98 Buick Regal (wifes car)
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Re: How do YOU do a brake fluid flush ?
[Re: 5thAve]
#2739302
02/03/20 11:48 AM
02/03/20 11:48 AM
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,285 West Coast, USA
jbc426
master
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master
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,285
West Coast, USA
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Due to the air leakage mentioned above, I've been carefully wrapping teflon tape on the bleeder threads being careful to keep it away from the hydraulic circuit. I have also tried the Russel one man bleeders with success, but I usually just use clear tube into a glass jar so I can watch the color change of the fresh fluid & bubbles.
That relatively inexpensive Mity Vac brake bleeder that holds a gallon of fluid works well for me. I also use the very high temp DOT 4 fluid as I've seen how hot my front rotors get on a road coarse. I've seen new corvettes with the rotors glowing cherry red coming off Willow Springs after a few laps.
1970 Plymouth 'Cuda #'s 440-6(block in storage)currently 493" 6 pack, Shaker, 5 speed Passon, 4.10's 1968 Plymouth Barracuda Convertible 408 Magnum EFI with 4 speed automatic overdrive, 3800 stall lock-up converter and 4.30's (closest thing to an automatic 5 speed going)
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Re: How do YOU do a brake fluid flush ?
[Re: goldduster318]
#2739373
02/03/20 04:11 PM
02/03/20 04:11 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 25,877 Rio Linda, CA
John_Kunkel
Too Many Posts
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Too Many Posts
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 25,877
Rio Linda, CA
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With a pressure bleeder, open each bleeder until the fluid runs clear. Newer systems with ABS are more complex, they require a scanner to run the ABS pump. Unless there is a ton of air in the ABS system you don't need to run the pump. Vehicles vary, the newer LX cars even require that the car be at a certain angle (rear elevated) when bleeding brakes.
The INTERNET, the MISinformation superhighway
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Re: How do YOU do a brake fluid flush ?
[Re: 71GTX471]
#2739441
02/03/20 09:26 PM
02/03/20 09:26 PM
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 30,451 Florida STAYcation
dOoC
OP
The village idiot's idiot
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OP
The village idiot's idiot
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 30,451
Florida STAYcation
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FIRST THING ... I’ll bet most of you posting here have done more brake work IN A COUPLE OF MONTHS than I’ve done in my lifetime! But let me ... What happens to all that old junk fluid AND TRASH in the bottom part of the caliper during the flush process ? Shouldn’t the caliper be removed from the brackets and turned 180 degrees to get everything out ?
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