Brake fluid?

[Spyware]

I was wondering how one goes about adding brake fluid. I know it's probably a lot more simple than I'm making it, but when it comes to something as important (And possibly expensive) as brakes I'd like to do it right the first time. =P

Anyways, can I mix old and new brake fluid? If so, do I just open it up and add more? I'm getting a LOT of pedal play before the brakes seem to do any real work.

Thanks in advance!

[Canuck]

Lot of pedal play eh?

BLEED EM!!!!

[ZX2 Sleeper]

Check for leaks and then add fluid, bleed the brakes, then add more fluid when neccesisary. Grab a friend to do the pumping on the break pedal while you release fluid/air.

[Spyware]

Oh Jesus. I was hoping to avoid bleeding. =P

[mechtech]

Get a cheap new turkey baster [or something similar and better]. Suck out as much old fluid as possible, THEN add new. You can do this every week or two [several times] and the fluid will mix and get nice and clear. It is good maintenance.
Don't get brake fluid on the paint! It will look fine with no problems, then later it will lift an bubble!
You can fill the reservoir [and keep it filled!] and simply open the bleeder on each brake one at a time and let drain. This can give a good bleed with one person. Use a hose so it doesn't drip all over. Do NOT touch the brake pedal when doing it this way!!

[Canuck]

^^ Yeah also if you gravity bleed it you don't need to do the turkey baster thing. Just let the old fluid drain out. Like he said though don't let the reservoir go dry when doing this. An easy way to avoid it is to take a full bottle of brake fluid and turn it upside down in the reservoir and leave it there till you are done.

[Spyware]

Awesome. Thanks for the help

[MindSpinZX2]

Is there a decent synthetic fluid to use, and can you mix regular and synthetic while doing the turkey baster thing? Or should you just stick with good ol DOT3?

[Canuck]

I use Valvoline's "synpower" fluid. You can mix em.

http://schertz.name/eclipse/pictures/mods/brakefluid1.jpg

[mechtech]

If you gravity bleed it, you DO need to do the turkey baster thing.
Why let oil fluid go through you lines instead of fresh.
It defeats the purpose.

[Canuck]

:shrug: Once the old fluid (it's already in there anyway..) comes out the new fluid takes its place...

[mechtech]

No. You are pushing/flushing old fluid, which is a total waste of time. If it eventually gets fresh fluid, that's great, but why waste your time and flush with crap?

[Canuck]

Get it done faster by getting most of the old fluid out first.. I get it now..

:rocknana:

[iceracer]

Bleeding the brakes is a yearly thing for me. It really makes a difference.
Always use clean Fresh brake fluid and don't let the can set with the cap off.
Speed bleeders cost $12.95 a pair.

[Canuck]

^^ I got speed bleeders too.. They're great!

[Spyware]

So these Speed Bleeders work pretty well? At $7 a pop I might have to try them out. I take it I just remove the old bleeder screw, install the Speed Bleeder in it's place, then one at a time, loosen them and bleed the system, ensuring the master doesn't empty?

[mechtech]

ALL brake fluid is synthetic.

[MindSpinZX2]

ALL brake fluid is synthetic.

I found that out the other day when I was looking at it at Advance. I never knew that.

[trekkor]

Use Motul.

Speed Bleeders, check.
Right rear, left rear, right front, left front.

Bleed until fresh fluid appears. Don't let the resi go empty while bleeding.


KT