Changing brake fluid
Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 41
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From: MA
Originally posted by vtecinside
Many folks that autocross on the weekends will change the fluid that they were using on the street to a fresh batch every race and some will do it between laps.
noel
Many folks that autocross on the weekends will change the fluid that they were using on the street to a fresh batch every race and some will do it between laps.
noel
My favorite compliment after an auto-x run was someone asking if my brake lights were working or not. :LOL: Changing fluid after track events is not uncommon, depending on the track. NHIS's road course often has a few hard ( ~100-30 
) braking zones, OTOH Lime Rock is easier on brakes.Remember, it's not necessarily how fast you go...it's how little you slow down.
/bill
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 22
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From: Cinci - OH
Here's how its done and WHY...
Brake fluid is hydroponic - absorbs water...hence why you never want to use old fluid you find lying around the garage. Anywho, after months or years of use, the fluid absorbs water through the brake lines -minute amounts albeit...either way, the moral is brake fluid has a very high compression point, whereas water does not. You put water (or air) into a brake system and the pedal will be spongey. To correctly flush and fill your brake system, do the following...get a syringe to suck out all of the old fluid from your resivor,wipe it all out with a CLEAN rag...any particles left will jack up your system. Fill the resivoir with brand new clean fluid and then proceed to bleed the calipers, starting with the right rear, the left front, the left rear and finally the right front, their is a reason for this, but id have to type a lot more than i want to. once you see clean fluid, and no air bubbles while you are bleeding said caliper, you are done, continue with the next caliper. (DONT FORGET TO REFILL THE RESIVOIR HERE AND THERE) if you run dry at any time you have to start the process all over. Once complete, you will have a very firm brake pedal....
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 265
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
No one here has yet explained how to bleed each line, so Ill take a shot. I suggest getting a "brake line bleeder". The benefit will be evident after I explain the bleeding process.
While your helper is sitting in the car, youll have a 10mm wrench on the bleed valve. You will open the valve and say "IN" as your helper is depressing the brake pedal. Just before he gets to the wall with the pedal, you close the bleed valve. You then say "OUT". This process will probably have to be repeated 20-40 times per wheel. If, at any time, the pedal is moving "OUT" with the valve open, you have introduced a bubble into the line. After a few of these, you'll be wishing you bought the brake line bleeder.
With the "brake line bleeder" tube, there is a one-way valve on the end. Simple attach the tube to the bleed valve and slowly pump the brake pedal. Your helper could do that while he is perusing your Talking Heads CD collection....you can use your time making sure the resevoir is refilled and the bleed valve is staying where is should be. The tube is clear, which allows you to see bubbles, or lack thereof. It costs around $6-8. You also won't have to explain to your girlfriend why you and your friend were yelling "IN OUT IN OUT IN OUT" in the garage.
Hope this helps, good luck.
-Spy
While your helper is sitting in the car, youll have a 10mm wrench on the bleed valve. You will open the valve and say "IN" as your helper is depressing the brake pedal. Just before he gets to the wall with the pedal, you close the bleed valve. You then say "OUT". This process will probably have to be repeated 20-40 times per wheel. If, at any time, the pedal is moving "OUT" with the valve open, you have introduced a bubble into the line. After a few of these, you'll be wishing you bought the brake line bleeder.
With the "brake line bleeder" tube, there is a one-way valve on the end. Simple attach the tube to the bleed valve and slowly pump the brake pedal. Your helper could do that while he is perusing your Talking Heads CD collection....you can use your time making sure the resevoir is refilled and the bleed valve is staying where is should be. The tube is clear, which allows you to see bubbles, or lack thereof. It costs around $6-8. You also won't have to explain to your girlfriend why you and your friend were yelling "IN OUT IN OUT IN OUT" in the garage.
Hope this helps, good luck.
-Spy
A little chin music
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,655
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From: Cleveland, Ohio - Rock 'n Roll capitol of the World
It's all a matter of opinion...... unless you do seriously hard braking (racing, primarily), there is no detremental brake fluid routine. It's not like oil, coolant, or even trany fluid. if you want to change it, go ahead. It seems like alot of people on here think it's such an important part of mainatining a car. I just have never changed it, and I've driven alot of high and low mileage cars, none of which have never had the fluid changed. And I can tell you that the 1989 Accord I owned had 148,000 miles and the brake pedal felt alot better than the 1990 Chevy Beretta GT I owned with 60,000 miles.
Cracker Quack!
Joined: Nov 1998
Posts: 659
Likes: 0
From: LI, NY
actually the best device I have seen yet was in the bavarian autosports catalog.
You fill this pump with fresh brake fluid. You attach it to the master cylinder. Then you pressurize it. Then by yourself you go to each valve, one by one and open it and close it when it's nothing but fresh fluid. The pressure in the container will force fresh fluid no air into your lines. It's nice you don't have to do the tradiotional pedal pumping with this set up.
I would get it if I could be sure that it would fit more than just one car or just bimmers.
You fill this pump with fresh brake fluid. You attach it to the master cylinder. Then you pressurize it. Then by yourself you go to each valve, one by one and open it and close it when it's nothing but fresh fluid. The pressure in the container will force fresh fluid no air into your lines. It's nice you don't have to do the tradiotional pedal pumping with this set up.
I would get it if I could be sure that it would fit more than just one car or just bimmers.
Cracker Quack!
Joined: Nov 1998
Posts: 659
Likes: 0
From: LI, NY
Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: MA
Originally posted by fastball
And I can tell you that the 1989 Accord I owned had 148,000 miles and the brake pedal felt alot better than the 1990 Chevy Beretta GT I owned with 60,000 miles.
And I can tell you that the 1989 Accord I owned had 148,000 miles and the brake pedal felt alot better than the 1990 Chevy Beretta GT I owned with 60,000 miles.
/bill