Flushing brake fluid

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Originally Posted By: Rat407
In all the vehicles I have owned I only flush the brake fluid when I have to replace brake pads and shoes. I have never had any issues.

It is a good idea to do it I'm sure and can't hurt anything. I think I read somewhere that it is recommended to be accomplished every two years because of potential moisture build up in the brake fluid.


+1
 
I find it's the best idea just to keep the bleeders from rusting up.

I do it when I get a car, and then "generally" I have to open the system (rusty lines) within the following 4 years and do it again then.
 
I flush mine whenever I replace pads/shoes, and if I'm already down there working on something else. Also, if I see the fluid in the rez is dark, I will do the turkey blaster method of I have dot 3 laying around. It's been working for me.
 
Originally Posted By: supton
I've been doing every 2-3 years, but might just start doing it once/year. It's not that hard to do, after all.


+1 Same thing I started doing too
 
I have Russell Speed Bleeders on my 04 Camry and replace brake fluid every two years. System stays very clean. I think I might change OEM pads this spring.
 
I'd like to do it myself but I stink at it. Every time I do a brake job that involves disconnecting the lines I can never get them bled correctly and end up at a shop that can flush the system. I might get a MityVac though and do it myself. Seems pretty idiot proof.

Although, a shop can cycle the ABS and get that fluid out to, can't do that without special equipment/computer.
 
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The Owner's Manual for my Outback requires changing brake fluid on a 30k miles/2 year interval. I plan on following that schedule on my other cars also.

Before I bought my Outback, I've never bled brakes, except when I've been unhappy with brake pedal feel. After buying a Motive system last year, I did both cars. I could really tell the difference on my Alero.

As others have mentioned, it is so easy with the right equipment, and the expense is nothing. For me, I don't see a reason not to. But if one really wanted to make sure they were doing maintenance that mattered, and not just wasting time and money, you could buy a brake fluid tester. They can be bought for about $20 on Amazon. The most common type is a "penlight style" device.

The brake fluid tester measures moisture in the brake fluid. Pretty simple concept. You might measure it, and find that there is no reason to change the fluid as often. Kind of a cool concept. It's kind of like having the ability to do your own engine oil analysis before doing an oil change, and determine if a change is really needed. Now that would be cool!
 
I usually flush the fluid when replacing the pads and rotors.

Supposedly Castrol brake fluid absorbs moisture slower than other brake fluids, so it should last longer.

Also, speed bleeders are awesome.
 
Every 3 years here, unless it gets dark before then.

Lately I've been replacing all I can get from the reservoir with a turkey baster, a couple of cycles once per year. I do that again right before a flush. No point in pumping old dirty oxidized water laden fluid through when I can pump new stuff through.
 
Originally Posted By: turtlevette
2 years is A waste of time and effort unless you are hard on your brakes or race.

10+ years for the average mini van commuter types.





I'm not hard on the brakes, but can generally feel a difference after changing fluid. The pedal feels more firm. Dunno why.

Minivans are hard on brakes, I thought. I'd think with the higher temps they would really do well with more frequent flushes.

I usually get 100k plus out of brakes.
 
The water collects at the bottom of the system, In the calipers. If you take a caliper aprt, you will see rust and pitting. The fluid in the reservoir has little moisture in it.
 
Originally Posted By: andyd
The water collects at the bottom of the system, In the calipers. If you take a caliper aprt, you will see rust and pitting. The fluid in the reservoir has little moisture in it.


That would be an extreme case. Brake fluid is designed to suspend moisture, and that moisture comes in through the reservoir cap. The reason we replace brake fluid on a schedule is because it becomes saturated with moisture.

I don't feel any need to excuse replacing fluid in the reservoir before flushing, because that fluid is already getting dark. If it were new looking clear/amber, I would be wasting fluid... but then again it probably wouldn't need a flush, either.
 
Most brake fluids have a wet boiling point in the high 300s degrees F.

Real world, there are millions and millions of vehicles out there running 10 year old brake fluid.

Scary thing for us anal retentive types.
 
Originally Posted By: turtlevette
Most brake fluids have a wet boiling point in the high 300s degrees F.


Most brake fluid has a wet boiling point of 284, the minimum allowed. Even most of the "hi-temp" DOT3 stuff has a higher *dry* BP, but still the same low *wet* BP of 284.
 
Originally Posted By: tommygunn
Originally Posted By: turtlevette
Most brake fluids have a wet boiling point in the high 300s degrees F.


Most brake fluid has a wet boiling point of 284, the minimum allowed. Even most of the "hi-temp" DOT3 stuff has a higher *dry* BP, but still the same low *wet* BP of 284.


no they are all different depending on the manuf of the fluid. Use the internet and check it out. Many are in the high 300s.

Please.
 
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