Bleeding Brakes

[Fifty]

Quick couple of observations. Technically brake fluid is supposed to be changed annually because of water. But who does that?
Crap will eventually move through from the caliper to the reservoir. Hot fluid moves up. It’s how once clean clear brake fluid eventually gets discolored in the reservoir over time. Much quicker if you cook your fluid on the track.

last, I did a bbk swap and brake soft line to longer braided lines on my Chevy prerunner.

bleeding was a nightmare. I assumed that because I had a vacuum bleeder that ran off my air compressor, that I would be good to go in a matter of seconds.

I sat for an hour. And then got the missus Into the drivers seat to go the old fashioned way. Nada.

then I finally pulled out my autel and went through the abs bleed program.
Ran that twice to be sure and hard as a rock.
I hate that you need special computer tools to do basic maintenance.

even worse, if I ever decided to get rid of the abs system in the prerunner, and go manual brakes, then I have to go stand alone for the ecu because the bcm will nanny everything

 

[PG01]

I would not let a brake fluid flush go past 50k miles. Most vehicles qualify for maintenance under the SEVERE schedule.

You wouldn’t.... lol

other people would.....

 

[OR VietVet]

You wouldn’t.... lol

other people would.....

That's what happens when you talk about other people. LOL! Lots of people believe in "breakdown maintenance" instead of "preventative maintenance".

My dad taught me, "Maintenance pays and breakdowns cost".

If you live in mountainous areas where you might ride the brakes more than normal, that heat transfers to the fluid and breaks it down and it also gets moisture in it. DOT 3 fluid is hygroscopic and loves to absorb moisture from the air and since brake systems are vented, it allows that fluid to draw the moisture in the air into the system. Silicone brake fluid is not effected the same way. It also handles higher heat temps when braking as well. If I am not mistaken, for going on years back, all motorcycle brake fluid was silicone fluid. The year that most vehicle manufacturers switched is a time I am not familiar with.

 

[Rocket Man]

I’m in the process of installing a Wilwood BBK on my 08 Silverado and they sent me 24 oz of their “570 racing” Dot 3 fluid which says is a high temp with a minimum boiling point of 284 f. I already had 24 oz of it from the first BBK I bought from them so I guess I’ll do a complete flush. The Motive will make it easy. The truck has about 60 k so it’s time.

 

[HiHoeSilver]

Why are you gonna bleed brakes at every other tire rotation? Unnecessary work dude.

Not if you rotate your tires every 15,000. Duh.

 

[OR VietVet]

Not if you rotate your tires every 15,000. Duh.

I wish I could double like this one.

 

[The_Burban]

It seems like a silly question, but it happened to me last year after 30 years of doing my own brakes....

Did you install the correct side caliper? A right caliper on the left side may physically fit, but the bleed screw will be on the bottom and you will never get the air out.

Local parts store grabbed me two new calipers off the shelf. I noticed both same PNs. Assured me that it was correct.

Would not bleed. Limped it to local shop.

They let me know I was sold two driver's side calipers. They contacted local parts shop who they also deal with routinely. Just paid for labor.

It happens.

 

[The_Burban]

I use a Motive pressure bleeder. I have flushed the entire system more than once on a couple trucks since buying it and it is amazingly easy, a one-person job. Well worth it imo.

What PSI so you keep the container?

 

[OR VietVet]

I looked at a video about them and to first test for leaks in the Motive system you pump it up to 10 psi and then if is ok it said to add the fluid and then pump up to 15 psi during usage.

 

[Rocket Man]

What PSI so you keep the container?

It says no more than 20 psi. I keep it around 15.