Low Brake Fluid 2009 Ford Taurus

[supton]

For a leak, I'd do one at a time. Sure, you can shotgun it and do both, but I'd only do that if I thought it was a wear and/or corrosion issue that would impact both sides.

Why did it break (or leak)? Why does anything break, or wear out? Manufacturing defect, wear, luck of the draw, phase of the moon...

 

[engineer20]

I already found one that sells it, but they only had the left side, not the right, why don't i have to replace both? is it safe, or was the guy just trying to make more money off of me by telling me to replace both? how hard is it, just sockets is enough, what about brake spring calipers which i recently just bought? Thanks.

 

[engineer20]

https://www.rockauto.com/catalog/raframecatalog.php?carcode=1443431&a=www.google.com%2BSearch%2Bfor%2B2009%2BFORD%2BTAURUS%2B3.5L%2BV6&blanktemplate=true

Which caliper part to I replace? The whole caliper, etc? Thanks.

 

[artbuc]

Originally Posted By: engineer20
https://www.rockauto.com/catalog/raframecatalog.php?carcode=1443431&a=www.google.com%2BSearch%2Bfor%2B2009%2BFORD%2BTAURUS%2B3.5L%2BV6&blanktemplate=true

Which caliper part to I replace? The whole caliper, etc? Thanks.


Yes.

 

[engineer20]

Do I get the bracketed one or no? i saw rebuild kits for the seal/piston, you think those would work and are there any places that can rebuild your caliper for you like there are starter/alternator rebuild places?

Also, which brake fluid is better, bg or valvoline? i'm asking because i want to know if I should DIY a brake bleed or have the shop bleed / flush it as the shop uses bg, most, and I would use valvoline dot 3/4.

Also, I know you can diy bleed by opening the bleeder valve, but what about diy brake flush? is that posssible or is that only possible with a machine at the shop? Someone told me, you only bleed with a reapair as is in my case with replacing the caliper, whereas, you flush for preventative maintenance, and you can do it every 2 years. Did my caliper go bad because I didn't flush or change the brake fluid often enough? Thanks.

 

[mk378]

Originally Posted By: engineer20
I heard it coudl be some hoses or the caliper or somewhere, what are some common sources of brake fluid leaks and their cause? thanks.

You never did your own inspection to determine if the leaky part is the hose or the caliper or both. Also you want to look at the brake pads to decide if they are still good or if they are worn down enough that new ones should be installed during this job.

If you can't do this bog-simple inspection on your own you have no business asking how to make repairs yourself.

 

[artbuc]

Originally Posted By: engineer20
Do I get the bracketed one or no? i saw rebuild kits for the seal/piston, you think those would work and are there any places that can rebuild your caliper for you like there are starter/alternator rebuild places?

Also, which brake fluid is better, bg or valvoline? i'm asking because i want to know if I should DIY a brake bleed or have the shop bleed / flush it as the shop uses bg, most, and I would use valvoline dot 3/4.

Also, I know you can diy bleed by opening the bleeder valve, but what about diy brake flush? is that posssible or is that only possible with a machine at the shop? Someone told me, you only bleed with a reapair as is in my case with replacing the caliper, whereas, you flush for preventative maintenance, and you can do it every 2 years. Did my caliper go bad because I didn't flush or change the brake fluid often enough? Thanks.


Yes, no and maybe.

 

[Warstud]

This is what your in for...if you DIY.

 

[engineer20]

thanks @warstud, do i need to replace the mountnig bracket as well or can I use the old one as that costs extra and why did it go bad and bg vs valvoline brake fluid? and bleed vs flush? you can't flush at home, right? but the shop/machine can flush it? what's better, flushing or bleeding?

 

[artbuc]

Originally Posted By: engineer20
thanks @warstud, do i need to replace the mountnig bracket as well or can I use the old one as that costs extra and why did it go bad and bg vs valvoline brake fluid? and bleed vs flush? you can't flush at home, right? but the shop/machine can flush it? what's better, flushing or bleeding?


Yes, you can flush at home but leave the fan on for 15 minutes.

 

[Warstud]

Probably dont need to replace the bracket but I would remove the bracket to make sure the slider pins aren't stuck because removing them can be a pain and in some cases you may decide to just replace it.

Use the Valvoline BF

Buy a mityvac and bleed them yourself

 

[engineer20]

i'm going to try toi take the caliper off and take it to quality caliper in ferndale across the street from detroit for them to reman it for me, but just in case, I also ordered a caliper and am ready to buy that as well, but i have my wheel off (which I struggled with) one of the lug nuts was too tihgt and it broke my adapter from harbor freight (anybody know about this, do i take it back as pittsburgh tools have a lifetime warranty?)
anyways, so my breaker bar and adapter/socket didn't work so I tried a lug wrench, I jupmed on it several times and tried really hard and finally was able to loosen all the lug nuts. now i'm not sure where to go from there. i watched the video but it's not for my taurus, so things could be different. how many bolts and what size? i have deep sockets and it seems there's not enough clearance for them so should i get shallow sockets? do i need to use that kit with those things to remove the caliper? i forgot what it was called but it looks like a coin or a small disc
sorry, i'm just really exhausted right now, so i know this post might not be very clear

 

[engineer20]

what about if the bolts are stuck in my case? use a torque wrench, or use a larger/longer wrench (non ratchenting is ok but ratcheting is ok too) I didn't use a socket wrench, I've removed two with a ratcheting regular automotive wrench.

 

[Tosh]

There's a hole in my bucket, dear Liza, dear Liza.

 

[engineer20]

is there any pdf or in detail brake parts or brake job guides online (not video) so I can read it in detail or that can go over how to remove brake calipers or have a detailed diagram of the brake components? i'm just confused by the language of everything and think it'd help if I knew what each part was, what it did, and what it's called?

 

[Tosh]

Then mend it, dear Henry, dear Henry, dear Henry.

 

[Tegger]

Originally Posted By: engineer20
how to remove brake calipers or have a detailed diagram of the brake components?

Just hacksaw everything apart.

Stuck bolts are a breeze with a hacksaw. Even works on stubborn balljoints, steering wheels, door handles, ignition switches, you name it.

 

[Bladecutter]

Originally Posted By: engineer20
i'm just confused by the language of everything and think it'd help if I knew what each part was, what it did, and what it's called?


I will help you!

This is a car:

Once you identify this, let us know, and we will continue to help you.

BC.

 

[Tegger]

Originally Posted By: Bladecutter
Originally Posted By: engineer20
i'm just confused by the language of everything and think it'd help if I knew what each part was, what it did, and what it's called?


I will help you!

This is a car:

And this is the RIGHT car for engineer20. He probably already has one but can't identify it.

 

[dishdude]

Originally Posted By: Bladecutter

e20 knows what his Mom's car looks like. In a few years, he'll be old enough to drive it.

I think this is his current mode of transportation -