Just took my 2006 F150 FX4 to the dealer and he came back saying that I need to flush the brake fluid because it looked bad. My truck has 51,000 miles on it. Is it really needed to flush it at this mileage or is the dealer just trying to sell more service? He also wanted to do a power steering flush also.
Both services were around $200.00
Thanks for all replys.

 

My dealer said not to worry about it and the radiator until 100,000.

 

In most cars the recommend service interval for brake fluid is every two years or 30,000 miles. The stuff breaks down over time with the heat cycles. Many auto enthusiasts do a break flush every spring. It's the life blood of your braking system.

The radiator flush is another thing I wouldn't necessarily skip either. The main breakdown in rad fluid are the anti-corrosive additives. Modern day fluid has more and stronger additives and modern systems are sealed better so the concern isn't as great.

Brake fluid though is a mechanical/hydraulic part of your system and the viscous breakdown WILL affect your braking through losing pressure at lower temps than before. Not good when you're going down a long hill or hitting a bunch of turns in a row.

With dust and water crossings on dirt roads little things can seep into those fluids. I changed every fluid including trans and blinker ;-) at 30,000 miles. If you get a service manual you can save yourself some money in the long run on services. What you save by skipping the services could manifest in larger problems later though, in my conservative opinion. I'd at least do the brake fluid flush.

 

i usually do a brake fluid flush when i do my brakes.

 

How is brake fluid a mechanical part???
... and can you define "viscous breakdown"???

I design master cylinders... and I've had this discussion with our chemists...

The brake fluid can last the life of your truck... it is theoretically designed to last the life of your truck. The fact that it gets dark is not necessarily an issue... the additives in the brake fluid will darken due to the heat of the engine. But they still work.

If you do lots of towing or other extreme things like "hitting a bunch of turns in a row" then you need to change your fluid to keep the boiling point low (brake fluid will absorb a small amount of moisture over time). But if you are a normal driver, then you don't need to worry about changing your fluid.

Usually when you change your pads you bleed it some... that will flush out the fluid in the calipers.

And I "practice what I preach"... I'm at 50K on my truck and I've never changed the fluid.

 

i try to respond for fnckr... the brake fluid IS part of the hydraulic system. and you wont have a mechanicle brake system w/out some sort of hydraulic fluid. just my input...

 

I agree with above, I'm just past 9 years and 215k km's, only added a small amount in it's life. Absolutely fine. Usually you get bad wheel cylinders or calipers or both warranting a fluid flush or just a good bleed adding a bit. The rad should be done every other year or 50k I'd estimate. It's very forgiving but something to think about. Don't waste good money on a brake fluid flush. Many enthusiasts do it regularly because they are ****, if you have that much time and money, then by all means do it. What does it hurt, but to say it needs? Nope.

 

I just had my flushed at 68k and the fluid was nasty. After the flush I got some pedal feel back so I'm going to start doing it every 50k or so.

 

I've got a truck that's 22 years old. Has 435K+ miles. Still has the original brake fluid in it.

It's a sealed system. It doesn't get water or dust in it. If it does, you've got other problems.

The only time to change the fluid is if you have to change out the MC, lines, or such.

Some of you folks must not work too hard for your money. Or you're just ignorant. Mechanics want your money, fellows. Don't just give it away.

Flush and fill PS and/or brake fluid? Good grief.

 

And what happens to me? Need new calipers along with brakes. That'll teach me to knock flushers as now I gotta do alot myself. Oh well, the dust shields look poo too. Not going to do a full flush, but lots will be lost and not recirculated.

 

Fluid is fluid and it will all break down eventually... What's a bottle of BF cost? Lets just say under $10. What is in the PS res? Auto trans fluid. What's a qt of that cost? Lets just say $3.

Next is just a little time and knowing how to do the job yourself. Less then an hour if you take your time... Longer if you just want to get out of doing house hold chores!!

So, $13 and however long you wish to spend doing it... Can't hurt anything, can it? Well, I guess if you screw it up and strip a bleeder valve or something..

Having a vacuum pump is handy for sucking out the old fluid of both the BF and the PS fluid too and makes it a one person job.

$200 for the dealer to do it is fine if you want to spend that kind of money and not get your hands dirty... Necessary? Probably not... Warm, fuzzy feeling when you know that you've done it yourself and saved over $180 and now have fresh fluid, priceless...

Your money, your choice...

Mitch

 

All of that from a man who admitted to putting 5W30, instead of the recommended SAE30, oil in a chipper motor? And then, it broke?

Yep, your money, your choice.

 

Ha, ha!! Yeah, but the manual did say that 5w30 was 'ok' to use as well..... So there... It was cold outside!

Mitch

 

Just poking a little fun.

Folks would do well to heed your advise.

 

I forgot to put the little smilies on my post! I laugh at myself every time I see the chipper sitting there with a big hole in the case!

New engine should be in later part of Dec, so I'll be chipping soon enough!