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How do YOU do a brake fluid flush ? #2738935
02/02/20 10:17 AM
02/02/20 10:17 AM
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dIc dOc Deity ! Offline OP
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Never done it ... this topic came up before as a spinoff some time ago ... and I called two Chrysler dealers and three bigger service centers asking how they did it .. I was surprised eek

Re: How do YOU do a brake fluid flush ? [Re: dIc dOc Deity !] #2738940
02/02/20 10:29 AM
02/02/20 10:29 AM
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Lake Orion, MI
goldduster318 Offline
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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
Re: How do YOU do a brake fluid flush ? [Re: goldduster318] #2738941
02/02/20 10:40 AM
02/02/20 10:40 AM
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dIc dOc Deity ! Offline OP
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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$

Re: How do YOU do a brake fluid flush ? [Re: dIc dOc Deity !] #2738979
02/02/20 11:58 AM
02/02/20 11:58 AM
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moparx Offline
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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.
beer

Re: How do YOU do a brake fluid flush ? [Re: dIc dOc Deity !] #2739001
02/02/20 12:55 PM
02/02/20 12:55 PM
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Lake Orion, MI
goldduster318 Offline
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Originally Posted by Doc Fiberglass
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
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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Buford, GA
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Originally Posted by goldduster318
-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 wink )
Re: How do YOU do a brake fluid flush ? [Re: dIc dOc Deity !] #2739099
02/02/20 05:12 PM
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Rio Linda, CA
John_Kunkel Offline
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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.


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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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goldduster318 Offline
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Originally Posted by John_Kunkel
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
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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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.


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Re: How do YOU do a brake fluid flush ? [Re: Guitar Jones] #2739188
02/02/20 09:53 PM
02/02/20 09:53 PM
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I read a recent Mopar Action article by Rick E, and he'd recommended going over to DOT 5, after doing a full flush (DOT 5 can't be with the earlier grades apparently). Is he right; if you're already doing a system flush, is it better to swap to 5?

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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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.


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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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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.
Re: How do YOU do a brake fluid flush ? [Re: CMcAllister] #2739213
02/02/20 11:32 PM
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I work at a Toyota dealer, we do lots of brake flushes. We have a Wynns X-tend machine which pressurizes the M/C, and has a recovery hose that goes on the bleeder screw. Several minute flush on the right rear to replace the fluid in the master and RR caliper/cylinder, two minutes on the rest of the wheels. It is definitely a part of the maintenance program.

Re: How do YOU do a brake fluid flush ? [Re: Canucklehead] #2739228
02/03/20 01:17 AM
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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.

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Re: How do YOU do a brake fluid flush ? [Re: Dave_J] #2739231
02/03/20 02:04 AM
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Every time I've done it I've bled like normal or let it gravity bleed. Doesn't take too long to do either way.

Re: How do YOU do a brake fluid flush ? [Re: 5thAve] #2739302
02/03/20 11:48 AM
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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.

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Re: How do YOU do a brake fluid flush ? [Re: goldduster318] #2739373
02/03/20 04:11 PM
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Originally Posted by goldduster318
Originally Posted by John_Kunkel
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.


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Re: How do YOU do a brake fluid flush ? [Re: John_Kunkel] #2739388
02/03/20 06:20 PM
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Air leakage at the bleeder threads when using a clear tubing will fool you in to thinking you have air in the system only open the bleeder 1/2 turn, when I encounter that I put a few drops of oil on the threads it seals them up for the time.

Re: How do YOU do a brake fluid flush ? [Re: 71GTX471] #2739441
02/03/20 09:26 PM
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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 stirthepot ... devil

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 ?

Re: How do YOU do a brake fluid flush ? [Re: dIc dOc Deity !] #2739478
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On dual master cylinder equipped vehicles - does any brake fluid from one reservoir merge with the other reservoir at any time in a normally functioning system?

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