Please critique my brake/PS fluid maintenance plan

[mareakin]

Rather than doing a complete flush then refill--which I do not know how to do (I've read DIY guides but it still looks like more than I can handle at this point, I'm scared!) Would it work if I did a partial drain and refill?

I suppose I can remove as much as I can from the brake fluid and power steering reservoir with a turkey baster and then refill the same amount removed with fresh fluid. This might replenish the system enough until I do it again some 5,000 miles later.

Would this work? What are the pitfalls if any.

 

[Bill in Utah]

The brake fluid will attract moisture and the only way to it out is get ALL the fluid out of the system so a bleed and replace is the only way for that.

PS system will attract the same but fluid does it less, plus the heat from the pump will "burn" more of it off.

I've always done at 15k intervals the fluid pump and replace. The brakes see 100k or 4 years with a complete exchange.

Bill

 

[The_Jeff]

Your plan is good for the PS but will do very little for the brakes. There is a small benefit that the brake fluid reservoir sees the most air (moisture) in/out. The issue is very little of that fluid makes its way into the rest of the brake system, the part that does the braking. Some will enter as the pads wear. If you DO decide to flush your brake lines at the bleeders, you'll want fresh fluid in the reservoir for that.

Don't use the same baster on both fluids. I'd get cheapies from the dollar store. Fluids are completely incompatible.

 

[Bill in Utah]

Originally Posted By: eljefino


Don't use the same baster on both fluids. I'd get cheapies from the dollar store. Fluids are completely incompatible.


Excellent point and I'd bet OFTEN overlooked!

 

[beast3300]

Brake fluid doesn't flow. Removing it from the master cylinder is useless. You would need to bleed the fluid from each wheel until fresh comes out.

The p.s. fluid can be flushed by removing the fluid with engine off, refilling. Then running the engine, and turning the steering wheel lock to lock, then repeat fluid removal and refill.

 

[mareakin]

Originally Posted By: eljefino
Your plan is good for the PS but will do very little for the brakes. There is a small benefit that the brake fluid reservoir sees the most air (moisture) in/out. The issue is very little of that fluid makes its way into the rest of the brake system, the part that does the braking. Some will enter as the pads wear. If you DO decide to flush your brake lines at the bleeders, you'll want fresh fluid in the reservoir for that.

Don't use the same baster on both fluids. I'd get cheapies from the dollar store. Fluids are completely incompatible.


Moreover, is it even necessary to flush the brake and PS fluid as preventative maintenance, I'm told by some people that it's a "forever" fluid.

 

[gathermewool]

PS fluid is a big maybe, depending on what fluid is in there. Brake fluid absolutely must be replaced every so often, as it absorbs moisture and will slowly corrode or foul the braking system, and will degrade in performance.

 

[HTSS_TR]

Originally Posted By: mareakin

Moreover, is it even necessary to flush the brake and PS fluid as preventative maintenance, I'm told by some people that it's a "forever" fluid.


The same people probably will tell you that Coolant, Transmission, Gear fluids ... are Lifetime fluids too. Did they tell you that synthetic oil is lifetime fluid too ? How about filters ? Air and Cabin filters are lifetime, you don't need to change those filters, you only need to chance oil filter at every 100k miles or 10 years whichever is later.

 

[Eddie]

I use the baster method on all my vehicles once a year. I do a complete BF flush only when pads need changing. I never have done a PS flush, nor a baster exchange on PSF. I feel if I keep the system closed, little misture ever gets in and never had a problem. I do keep my cars from new to ~ 8 years & 125,000+ miles.

 

[mechanicx]

I think PS fluid eventually gets depleted and contaminate build up more than it's a moisture issue. Brake fluid is more of a moisture issue.

 

[Audi Junkie]

Change BF when you change pads. Bleeding does not clear the caliper reservior. If there is a problem, or a stored car, ok flush away.

 

[mechtech2]

Don't listen to these guys who say a brake reservoir flush is useless.
It is of value, and can be of great value.
It is not as good as a real brake flush/bleed, of course.
The fluid does indeed migrate through the system. There is a lot of physical movement, and normal molecular motion from heat.
A few cars/trucks have been 'cured' by multiple flushes. [Broken bleeders and no money prompted this as a viable method.]

But for sure, a drain and fill is a good thing - much better to have fresh fluid in there. It's common sense.
Keep an eye on the brake pad wear.