Bleeding/replacing brake fluid

[Jack91]

Hi,
My brake fluid is really dirty and the brakes are still working but require a lot more travel to get them to bite, the pads and rotors are still good, had them done 6 months ago so I reckon its just the fluid has got old and crappy

Can I just suck out the fluid in the master cylinder, and replace it with new stuff? Or do I actually have to bleed the whole system? If I sucked it out and put new stuff in, will I get any air bubbles in the lines? Dont know anything about them really.

Also, is there a special type of fluid I need? Or will any from supercheap be ok?

[Kryton]

You cant just suck the fluid out of the reservior, if you do, you could get air in the lines and the fluid will still be dirty in the lines too.

there is a specified brake fluid for your car, its either DOT 3 or DOT 4 - google will tell you which one.
To bleed the brakes for a fluid flush, you start at the Passenger side REAR caliper and bleed that until new clear fluid is expelled.
Keep an eye on the reservior and keep it topped up.
You can let the reservior run down to near the minimum mark, but dont let it go beyond that.

To flush the system you need to follow a certain process, i cant remember which caliper you need to do after the passenger rear but google will again tell you the correct process -it is usually the longest lines first, working your way down to the shortest line.

If you dont know how to bleed brakes - google again.
Its a lot easier with 2 people but it can be done with 1 person (use 2 people).

Also, use the correct size spanner/socket on the nipple.
Do NOT use an adjustable spanner and do NOT force the nipple - you WILL either round it or break it.
If your having trouble undoing it for the first time, either give it some spray or try and do it up a little bit tighter, just to break the seal.

heres an 'E-How to':

http://www.ehow.com/how_2111457_chan...ake-fluid.html

[Jack91]

Stuff that. Just called a brake shop near my house, they flush it, bleed it and put new fluid in for $45, considering fluid is gonna cost me $20 and a brake line spanner another $20 and $1000 when I break something due to my incompetence and have to get it fixed by a mechanic, I think Ill just pay to have someone else do it. Bargain. $45, I was expecting $200+.

[GS608]

there are a few DIY home made pressure bleeders which make doing it by yourself easy. But as you said pretty cheap i got mine done for $30

[ThePistonHead]

Originally Posted by DAVO_XR

Stuff that. Just called a brake shop near my house, they flush it, bleed it and put new fluid in for $45, considering fluid is gonna cost me $20 and a brake line spanner another $20 and $1000 when I break something due to my incompetence and have to get it fixed by a mechanic, I think Ill just pay to have someone else do it. Bargain. $45, I was expecting $200+.

Tell the bloke you have someone else interested if he does both of ours for $80, so we pay $40 each.