Hey all, while going over records for my F150 today I realized that I've never changed out my DOT 3. (Woops) Anyway, I want to change the fluid in the master cylinder with the turkey baster method and bleed the old fluid out of the lines. How is this done? Does it require more then 1 person? And about how long does this take? Also, how much should my truck take? I'm planning to use O'reilly DOT 3 that I got on sale for $2. Thanks!
HELP I've never changed my brake fluid- how?
- Thread starter renegade_987
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ALSO, what all do I need? Thanks again
I have been bleeding brakes for 40 years, never got the "one man brake bleeders" to work very well - an expensive power bleeder works well but I doubt you want that, unless you have money to burn for expensive and rarely used tools, so I would recommend the old "step, let up" method that has worked well since the 1950's
make sure to consult your service manual for the correct order to bleed the four calipers in
after removing the fluid from the master cylinder with the turkey baster, you are basically just going to bleed the calipers in the correct order until the fluid runs clear, and after the last caliper is running clear then the system is fully flushed and all fluid is now new!
make sure to consult your service manual for the correct order to bleed the four calipers in
after removing the fluid from the master cylinder with the turkey baster, you are basically just going to bleed the calipers in the correct order until the fluid runs clear, and after the last caliper is running clear then the system is fully flushed and all fluid is now new!
With a friend it is VERY easy to do. Will take you literally 20 minutes max. Buy him a 6 pack and ya'll should be good. Youtube is always your best bet, a video just shows so much more than words can say. But it is literally hooking up a hose to the bleeder valve, pushing the brake pedal, closing the bleeder valve, let off the brake, fill master cylinder then repeat all above steps on that wheel. Then move to the next wheel and do the same stuff.
Thanks for the advice guys! How many 12 oz bottles will I need?
You could just gravity bleed fresh fluid through.
If you have a helper who can pump the brake pedal for you, it is a pretty quick job.
All you need is a wrench for the bleed valves (the right kind works best, but anything will do, even a pair of vice grips), a piece of hose that will fit tightly over the bleed valve, a clean glass jar and a quart of brake fluid, although two would be better, in case you bleed through more than you really need to.
Bleed each corner until you get nice clean brake fluid coming out.
Just make sure you don't let the master cylinder suck air.
Then you'd get to start all over again.
If you have a helper who can pump the brake pedal for you, it is a pretty quick job.
All you need is a wrench for the bleed valves (the right kind works best, but anything will do, even a pair of vice grips), a piece of hose that will fit tightly over the bleed valve, a clean glass jar and a quart of brake fluid, although two would be better, in case you bleed through more than you really need to.
Bleed each corner until you get nice clean brake fluid coming out.
Just make sure you don't let the master cylinder suck air.
Then you'd get to start all over again.
Originally Posted By: renegade_987
Thanks for the advice guys! How many 12 oz bottles will I need?
3-4 for a full size truck at least
Quote:
I'm planning to use O'reilly DOT 3 that I got on sale for $2.
that is no deal if they are 12 oz bottles, the 32 oz is only $4 every day at O'Reilly
Thanks for the advice guys! How many 12 oz bottles will I need?
3-4 for a full size truck at least
Quote:
I'm planning to use O'reilly DOT 3 that I got on sale for $2.
that is no deal if they are 12 oz bottles, the 32 oz is only $4 every day at O'Reilly
I've found the Motion Pro check valve to be good, but their hose is a little small/you'll struggle to make it fit. Use a cup to catch the bled fluid.
http://www.amazon.com/Motion-Pro-Brake-Bleeder/dp/B001DDAECW
http://www.amazon.com/Motion-Pro-Brake-Bleeder/dp/B001DDAECW
If you've never done it before, you might want to just consider doing turkey baster method.
It's less of a chance of getting air in the system, and it's easier.
I'd go every 3-4 days and turkey baster old fluid out and fill with fresh. Do that for a few weeks steadily, I'm pretty sure you'll get a lot of the old stuff out.
It's less of a chance of getting air in the system, and it's easier.
I'd go every 3-4 days and turkey baster old fluid out and fill with fresh. Do that for a few weeks steadily, I'm pretty sure you'll get a lot of the old stuff out.
OR get with someone who had done it before and assist & learn.
Originally Posted By: EricF
If you've never done it before, you might want to just consider doing turkey baster method.
It's less of a chance of getting air in the system, and it's easier.
I'd go every 3-4 days and turkey baster old fluid out and fill with fresh. Do that for a few weeks steadily, I'm pretty sure you'll get a lot of the old stuff out.
I thought brake fluid doesn't circulate?
If you've never done it before, you might want to just consider doing turkey baster method.
It's less of a chance of getting air in the system, and it's easier.
I'd go every 3-4 days and turkey baster old fluid out and fill with fresh. Do that for a few weeks steadily, I'm pretty sure you'll get a lot of the old stuff out.
I thought brake fluid doesn't circulate?
Originally Posted By: hypervish
Originally Posted By: EricF
If you've never done it before, you might want to just consider doing turkey baster method.
It's less of a chance of getting air in the system, and it's easier.
I'd go every 3-4 days and turkey baster old fluid out and fill with fresh. Do that for a few weeks steadily, I'm pretty sure you'll get a lot of the old stuff out.
I thought brake fluid doesn't circulate?
This ^
Originally Posted By: EricF
If you've never done it before, you might want to just consider doing turkey baster method.
It's less of a chance of getting air in the system, and it's easier.
I'd go every 3-4 days and turkey baster old fluid out and fill with fresh. Do that for a few weeks steadily, I'm pretty sure you'll get a lot of the old stuff out.
I thought brake fluid doesn't circulate?
This ^
Originally Posted By: hypervish
Originally Posted By: EricF
If you've never done it before, you might want to just consider doing turkey baster method.
It's less of a chance of getting air in the system, and it's easier.
I'd go every 3-4 days and turkey baster old fluid out and fill with fresh. Do that for a few weeks steadily, I'm pretty sure you'll get a lot of the old stuff out.
I thought brake fluid doesn't circulate?
Me too. Which is why I don't understand why there's a fluid reservoir.
Originally Posted By: EricF
If you've never done it before, you might want to just consider doing turkey baster method.
It's less of a chance of getting air in the system, and it's easier.
I'd go every 3-4 days and turkey baster old fluid out and fill with fresh. Do that for a few weeks steadily, I'm pretty sure you'll get a lot of the old stuff out.
I thought brake fluid doesn't circulate?
Me too. Which is why I don't understand why there's a fluid reservoir.
I'm a big fan of speed bleaders and put the on all my vehicles and bikes I've owned. I can change the fluid myslelf in 45 minutes. If I can do it anyone can.
Originally Posted By: Cold_Canuk
I'm a big fan of speed bleaders and put the on all my vehicles and bikes I've owned. I can change the fluid myslelf in 45 minutes. If I can do it anyone can.
which ones do you use and how much did you give for them?
I'm a big fan of speed bleaders and put the on all my vehicles and bikes I've owned. I can change the fluid myslelf in 45 minutes. If I can do it anyone can.
which ones do you use and how much did you give for them?
Turkey baster as much as you can, then top up with fresh Dot 3.
Then, gravity bleed at each wheel cylinder until each one runs clear fluid out.
Gives a nice firm pedal in the end too.
Then, gravity bleed at each wheel cylinder until each one runs clear fluid out.
Gives a nice firm pedal in the end too.
I had my 10 year old daughter pump the pedal as I bled the calipers. Its not hard to do with a helper.
The Motive Products pressure bleeder is the easiest way.
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