Brake fluid replacement

[Lube Man]

Had my brake system flushed out and replaced with new fluid by local brake and wheel shop. Even cleaned the windshield and test drove it. Cost was $51. 90. The dealer quoted $150 with the caveat "that's if we don't find anything wrong". Amsoil website

 

[dan_gilson]

You could do this yourself for less than $30 in parts and it only takes <hour and one man (not two).



I can take no liability for these instruction but they have worked for me for the last 25 years.



Find a large (1 qt or better) non-breakable bottle. Preferrably with a large base and purchase some rubber tubing (I forget the size but it needs to seal over the brake bleeder nipple tightly). Drill/punch a hole on the bottle top and thread the tubing down to almost the bottem and glue it in. I use a hot glue gun for this. In order Right Rear (RR), LR, right front (RF) and LF, one at a time connect the bottle to the bleeder nipple. Crack the bleeder and pump the brake pedal until the master cyl get low. Close bleeder and go to next wheel.



The secret: The way the bottle/tubing is designed is that when you let off on the pedal it will suck fluid back in (NOT Air). Making this a 1 man job. If you have run enough fluid through you will be sucking up clean fluid.



A couple of other thoughts: If if leaks don't drive it!! Leaky brakes are a safety failure and an accident waiting to happen. Use good sealed brake fluid. If I don't use all the new fluid that I bought I date it and only save it for less than a year. Why? Brake fluid sucks in moisture which is very bad. Water boils at a lower temp than brake fluid. So, unsealed containers get thrown out.



The best fluid that I know about is Motul. It is about 2x in price (about $30/litre). I have used it for years now and it has save my butt a couple of times. Find it in a racing or motoscycle shop.