Need tips on doing front shocks, and brakes.

[Matt400]

Matt, I've heard the advice to open the bleeder when compressing the piston before - and it sounds like a good idea.



But I've never done it, and never had a problem with the ABS. Have I just been lucky?

I think lucky Ryan, it doesn't always happen but when it does you have to replace the ABS unit. All it takes is a super tiny speck of dirt in the system to get lodged into an orifice. For me, since I do brake work almost daily I just can't afford to take the risk. Newer systems won't have the contamination build up so thats good and if you change your brake fluid every 3-5 years then that helps a bunch too but I always open the bleeder just to be safe.

The reason I ask is I don't want to replace all my calipers when it's time for new pads... remember this? I still haven't touched any of the other brake bleeders because I know what's going to happen.



Ryan

ugg , thats a gnarly post! if a bleeder breaks in the shop we just replace the caliper and while that might sound like the easy way out to just have the customer buy a caliper you have to consider the labor hours that could be consumed trying to extract one, you know all about that!:-laf. Breaking one is very rare for us out here in the west so maybe its a road salt issue??



You are due for a fluid change anyway IMO. If I were you I would open and or break each of the others to see how many calipers I needed before doing the work, so have fun... go out there and crank on them till they break or open!!

 

[rbattelle]

You are due for a fluid change anyway IMO. If I were you I would open and or break each of the others to see how many calipers I needed before doing the work, so have fun... go out there and crank on them till they break or open!!

Ugh, you're right... that's exactly what I don't want to hear. Tough pill to swallow, but you're right - I'm overdue, really.



I've been considering sucking the fluid out of the reservoir and refilling with fresh fluid. Do that half-a-dozen times over a period of a few weeks. You know, half-a-- it.



Ryan

 

[Matt400]

I've been considering sucking the fluid out of the reservoir and refilling with fresh fluid.

That's better than nothing, at least it helps to reduce the moisture content. The new fluid will act like a sponge and pull moisture from the system.

 

[MMeier]

LOL, are you still running in true hot hotter form, with no wheel covers, hehe

You know it! Still have one dish out back and the 2 front center caps!

 

[MStrain]

Well, bleeding the brakes was a snap, and my truck stops like a champ now. I guess bleeding out the fluid while you compress the pistons is not that bad of an idea but make sure you have enough light left and a buddy around to bleed the brakes after your done, when I finished the project it was getting dark and I had no help around. The Bilstein shocks were well worth the money, they are much better than the stock shocks, the ride is smoother and it bounces much less on dips, potholes, speed bumps etc.

 

[Matt400]

Glad it all worked out, I want some Bilstien's too and see genosgarge.com has em!

 

[donnier]

When I got mine, I got them from Bilstein - KYB - Rancho - Monroe - Edelbrock Automotive Truck Shocks and Struts - Shockwarehouse.com

They have free shipping also.

I still have time to deceide what brand to replace the pads with.

 

[MStrain]

I ended up using Bendix pads, they were $60 and seem to be as good or better than the stock pads were when my truck was new.