Brake Flush

dorkiedoode

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 17, 2008
Posts
399
Reaction score
4
Location
los angeles
with doing a brake fluid drain and fill like this, is there any specific order of draining each corner? or, just do them one at a time in any order?

also, how much fluid is expected to be purchased?

it depends if your bleeding or flushing. I would grab one of those 32fl oz bottle of Valvoline DOT3/4 @ walmart for $5-7 and do a complete flush. they are cheap and they work well. You would want to bleed in the order of RR, RL, FR, FL
 

X2oo5

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 11, 2009
Posts
61
Reaction score
0
Location
Canada
Edit: I just realized my brake fluid is BLACK. I guess I really do need a flush badly now.. I'm surprised my brakes still work perfectly fine.

That means you have moisture or a leak somewhere for the fluid to change black...
 

jwong512

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 22, 2009
Posts
1,287
Reaction score
1
Location
Socal 626
That means you have moisture or a leak somewhere for the fluid to change black...

Well, the fluid hasn't been changed in forever. My brother has had receipts for car maintenance since 92k and I haven't found any of them involving brake fluid. I'm at 111k now and wouldn't it be possible to just be black from excessive driving?
 

juicebox00

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 30, 2008
Posts
5,234
Reaction score
33
Location
SoCal
with doing a brake fluid drain and fill like this, is there any specific order of draining each corner? or, just do them one at a time in any order?

also, how much fluid is expected to be purchased?

start from the corner furthest away from the brake booster/etc(back passenger side). open that drain plug and pump it all out by pumping the brakes. while doing so the fluid cap should be off and have a friend pouring new fluid into the the brake fluid thing keeping the level normal. another friend should be watching the fluid coming out and when the fluid coming out is all new then close the drain plug. next go to the rear driver's side and do the normal bleeding process to flush out the little bit of excess fluid there and any air bubbles. next move to the front passenger side, and then lastly the front drivers side.
 

finch13

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 2, 2008
Posts
5,025
Reaction score
41
Location
Twin Cities, MN
2 cents on a method I prefer:
let all 4 corners drain at the same time via gravity. Keep adding new brake fluid into the reservoir until all 4 corners drain clear.
Takes about 20-30 minutes.
* $50 is too much. I would do it for a $20 spot.

$50 seems reasonable and what I would charge myself. No way am I gonna take 4 wheels off, fight 4 bleeder screws, flush 4 corners, bleed 4 corners for $20.

with doing a brake fluid drain and fill like this, is there any specific order of draining each corner? or, just do them one at a time in any order?

also, how much fluid is expected to be purchased?

Standard order is usually RR, LR, RF, LF. Just buy a large jug... 32oz. sounds about right.

That means you have moisture or a leak somewhere for the fluid to change black...

Old brake fluid will absorb 2-4% water by volume in about 24 months. It does not change the color. What changes the color is internal corrosion of the brake lines and calipers from the water.


Some reminders for everyone:
- Brake fluid should be changed every 2 years/30,000 miles if you like spending a little money now instead of a lot of money later.
- If the fluid is low, check the pads first. The fluid level will go down as pads wear. If the pads are new(er) and the reservoir is low or bone dry, look for leaks. Without pressure on the pedal you probably won't see a "drip" type of leak, but the lines will probably appear moist.
- If you have ABS, turn the key to ON a few times before bleeding to help circulate air bubbles out of the pump.
- The correct way of bleeding is to pump up the pedal a few times, press it down until it gets hard and hold it, have someone open the bleeder (you're foot will go to the floor, keep holding it), close the bleeder, let the pedal up. Keep repeating this until no air comes out of the bleeder screw, pump up the pedal every few times you open the bleeder.
 

jwong512

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 22, 2009
Posts
1,287
Reaction score
1
Location
Socal 626
My friend just told me that they would charge $40 if I used their fluid. Going to find out the price if I bring my own fluid because they said they don't have any Valvoline Dot 4. Either way, their price seems very reasonable so I'm going to be dropping by their shop first thing after I'm done with class tomorrow! Thanks everyone!
 

WHEEELMAN

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 4, 2008
Posts
866
Reaction score
19
Location
Georgia
with doing a brake fluid drain and fill like this, is there any specific order of draining each corner? or, just do them one at a time in any order?

also, how much fluid is expected to be purchased?


No specific order is required.

1 bottle?


** I watched NVA-AV6 on V6P.NET perform this method.
 

MrLazie1

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 11, 2008
Posts
2,171
Reaction score
3
Location
LA to SGV
there is a specific order required, and if you do it in a different order the old brake fluid will still be in the system as you bleed/flush your brakes.

johnson, just use what oem ask for. -_-
 
Back
Top