Brake, Fluid Change, Once A Year

[got_change]

maybe I'm dreaming, but I always change my brake fluid once a year, to keep sludge, and contamination, out of master cylinder, and antilock brake system.

I just use a syringe, or a turkey baster, and suck out the existing brake fluid, and put in fresh, and will do it twice, a week apart, once a year.

I always thought this would keep the antilock from going bad, and usually find a gray, kinda gritty dust in the bottom of master cylinder.

anybody do this for maintenance, or am I just dreaming up another thing to do to keep truck from having problems??

i will let you all now,if the av has this buildup, at 1 year, and 25,000 miles!!

 

[jst4f]

I am not sure what it is that you do. Do you remove the fluid from the master brake cylinder or do you flush the lines. I was having brake problems with my Buick, they faded over a period of an hour. There was no indication of leakage or air in the lines. The mechanic flushed out the brake lines, re-bled them and the brakes were as good as new. Does brake fluid lose something with use and needs to be replaced? Or is it crud and water collecting in the lines that can give problems?

 

[got_change]

jst4f, i just take out the old fluid, and wipe bottom of master cyl with a clean rag.

then put in fresh fluid.

I dont flush the system, cause I do this every year.

I think the fluid brings up contaminates and they sit in bottom of master!

always got to use the exact recommended brake fluid !!

I do it the second time, to try and get it cleaner, and to use up the whole can of brake fluid,

I dont think it is a good idea to let the brake fluid sit around, after you open it up, i like to use it all up!

 

[colek]

If you are bleeding the brakes along with draining the master cylinder fluid then it's worth doing, just note that the service manual calls for an ABS bleeding procedure involving the Tech II scan tool. I would recommend a interval of two years or 24,000 mi. (which you have) if the truck falls into the "severe service" category, if not then 3/36, if you are going to do this type of maintenence. (Thought the service manual has no recommendation for it) On the flip side, I've been to track events with my M3 where we changed the brake fluid twice in a weekend. However, in most cases, an AV won't fall in to that type of service. The answer lies in how the vehicle is used...hard driving, towing at max. capacity, steep downgrades on your daily route, etc. As a last note though, I've always said that I'd much rather enjoy preventative maintenance as opposed to repairs...that's just me though.

 

[got_change]

edward k, I know its not the ideay way, but i just change master cyl fluid, and not the full bleed trip.

I kinda do the same with auto tranny, do fluid and filter, once a year. and most times, after a long trip pulling a big boat, will change engine oil and filter, and use a little rotary drill powered pump, and suck out about three quarts of tranny fluid, thru dipstick, and do this twice a few days apart, to "freshen up" tranny fluid.

 

[Mdz66]

Got-change, Changing brake fluid with your method is way better than doing nothing!!!!!!! As the fluid will absorb moisture and that is bad!! I do the same but I will follow up buy having an assistant press brake pedal and slightly open the bleeder furthest from the master cylinder only allow a small amount of fluid to come out at a time, assistant releases pedal slowly don't touch pedal for 30 seconds and repeat until fluid comes out clean and do the other bleeders the same. Never had brake problems Don't forget the power steering and the differential (s) and tranfercase. Thats my $.02 I call it spending quality time with my Av

 

[got_change]

mdz66, you are right, i forgot about power steering, gonna do that, and i think no worry on radiator water, until past 50k

 

[avz66]

I plan on changing the brake fluid and power steering fluid every 2 years.

 

[pktwatch]

I got my brake fluid changed today at the local Meineke. I was in to get a muffler replaced, they warranted it! It only had a one year warranty but the guy said he would take care of it and he did! I had to pay for a new piece of tailpipe and the installation, about $65 but the muffler lists for $115 + installation so that was fair. He also gave me a lifetime warranty on the new muffler.


I think it is a good idea to change the brake fluid once in a while. As others have stated, the fluid absorbs moisture and after a while it cannot absorb any more then rust starts forming. That can not be good!

(How is this for reviving a OLD POST)?

Butch

 

[sennister]

I think it is a good idea to change the brake fluid once in a while. As others have stated, the fluid absorbs moisture and after a while it cannot absorb any more then rust starts forming. That can not be good!

Some brake fluid is more apt to absob water than others. The regular stuff that is in my AV every 2 years is fine. In My Audi and motorcycle I use Motul 600 RFB which is a racing brake fluid. This has a much higher boiling point than normal fluid but is more apt to absorb water so I do it every year in these vehicles.