Brake fluid replacement

[nordwulf]

My car is about 6 years old and I am pretty sure the brake fluid hasn't been replaced by the previous owner. So it's time to do this myself. I bought a Motive PowerBleeder which came with instructions.

Any tips, tricks or other advice?

[tunnanxwd]

Make sure that your car should be level or then tilted or something.

One of my cars has a trick and I forget which one. It's like you have to lower the rear a bit to get the bubble out. It was one of the Saabs, Volvo or Corvette or the truck? I just saw someone comment on this the other day so it would probably be Saab or Volvo.

[Oscuro]

The Motive bleeder will take out a lot of the hassle, so you're 80% of the way to success already. Somewhere around 10-15psi should work fine, and I think I used 2 quarts of fluid to bleed all 4 corners. Try to use a 6-sided socket to initially crack open the bleeder screws before attaching the hose and using a flare nut wrench. If you have a clutch, look into bleeding it at the same time as well.

[SpecialTool]

Syringing the old fluid out of the reservoir will save time.
Try to keep the evil fluid off your hands (something I was spectacularly unsuccessful at recently).

[toxicavenger]

Get some brake line wrenchs from some where like NAPA or Autozone. They have a cut one one side of them so you can remove the wrench without take off the bleeder hose. http://www.kamasatools.com/ProductIm...500x300_-1.jpg

Then get a decent turkey baster to suck the fluid out our master cylinder. This does take a while and if you can't get it all out you can use a small strip of cloth to soak it out of the master cylinder.

When I bleed my brakes I do each wheel two times at least.

Also use DOT4 brake fluid. I use ATE for my cars.

Wulf are doing your brake pads and brake lines at the same time? If I was me I would put some SS lines on at the same time.

Have fun!

[nordwulf]

I wasn't planning on doing other brake work at this time but I know my front pads are due for replacement soon. Perhaps a good idea to do it all at the same time.

I think I read somewhere you drain all brake fluid through the bleeder nipples and keep adding new brake fluid in the reservoir. When using a different color brake fluid, you'll know all the old stuff is out when the new color starts to come out. Is that the correct way of doing things?

I got the ATE DOT4 Super Blue Racing fluid and 1 liter should be enough, right?

[toxicavenger]

You Wulf you should definitely be able to tell the difference because your old fluid will be darker than the new stuff. And 1 liter should be a good amount.

I don't know if you get your rotors turned or not before you put new pads on, but it is something I always do unless the rotors aren't with safety specs.

Also Akebono pads have been some of the cleanest pads I have ever used!

[nordwulf]

You Wulf you should definitely be able to tell the difference because your old fluid will be darker than the new stuff.

That was the reason I got a different color fluid (blue) so it will be very easy to see the difference.