Changing brake fluid... how?

[Joseph Dell]

Motors I have no problem with, but when it comes to brake fluid and brake parts, I always end up covered with nasty crap.

What is the best way to deal with a brake fluid change?

Do I need to bleed the entire system, or can I simply remove what is in the resevoir, replace it, and then repeat this in a week when it is brown again?

Is this whole thing a 2 hour project or a two day project?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Joseph

 

[treynor]

I'll tell you my experience from the days when I owned motorcycles. On a car it's going to take two people to do properly. It's also much easier if you have a vacuum bleeder and a lift.

1) Remove what you can from the resevoir using a turkey baster or similar. Refill with new fluid.
2) Pop off one of the rear wheels, and attach a clear plastic tube to the brake bleed ******. Put the other end of the tube in your used fluid container.
3) [repeat] Have person 2 sit in the car and apply pressure to the brake pedal while person 1 opens the brake bleed a crack. As the brake pedal nears the floor, close the brake bleed. Release pressure on the brake pedal, check to be sure the fluid in the resevoir isn't low -- top it off if it is -- and repeat until the fluid coming out of the brake caliper is clear. [/repeat]
4) Repeat steps (2) and (3) for the other three wheels.
5) Top up the resevoir and replace the cap.

 

[Hisser]

Joseph, if your going on the track try using high temp fluid like brakeman or other.

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

One thing people forget to do is to pull the fluid from the resevior and refill it like Ben suggested.

If you have an air compressor, buy a brake vacuum and do it yourself in an hour or two. I have a Vacula. http://www.vacula.com/usa/f_aboutus.shtml

 

[Vip-RT10]

Chuck, set a weekend aside to help me do mine soon...

 

[Chuck 97 GTS]

Hey Antonio, it doesn't take a whole weekend. A couple hours work and you and Chuck-O will be at ******* before you know it...

 

[Ulysses]

Speed bleeders is definitely the way to go. No pumps, vacuums, etc. Wish I would've known about them before I bought my pressure bleeder.