My wife drives a BMW (97).Every two years the dealer flushes the brake fluid,I've been thinking about doing it to my truck.They claim brake fluid builds up condensation and this contaminates the system.I just wanted to know if anybody has had this done to there truck.

 

The only time I put new fluid in the brake lines is if I replace them. I've never seen water in the system. But how could you? It's a sealed hydraulic system. If you could get water or moisture in them braking would become a problem.

 

Definately a good thing to do. Mercedes manuals recommend this annually. Brake fluid absorbs water so you do not see it - it will corrode the inside of the calipers and the ABS valves over time. Brake fluid easily absorbs water from humidity in the air, and air gets in the master cylinder.

I flush the fluid as often as I can. It saves big bucks in the long run (I learned the hard way!).

Bleeding brakes with your buddy pumping the pedal is near impossible with ABS systems so I bought an Eezi-Bleed by Gunson. It works by pressurizing the master cylinder with fresh brake fluid. You just go around to each bleed valve 'til you see clear fluid.

............................Scott

 

The Haynes Repair Manual for 97 - 99 Ford's trucks recommends changing the brake fluid every 30,000 miles or 24 months.

I either missed it, or could not find it in the Ford manual. Like Scott D stated brake fluid absorbs water, moisture and after time it WILL cause damage to the brake system.

A friend of my brothers use to do brakes for a living and even told me not to store brake fluid, or in other words just buying some to have for "what-if". Told me always buy it new right before you need to use it because it to, could in time absorb water and moisture if not stored properly.

If it is easier to justify you can look at changing the brake fluid as very cheap insurance. It's like me doing my oil changes at 3k rather then 5k. It don't cost all that much for the piece of mine.

 

I flush my brake system(s) every 2 years - Brake Fluid has an affinity for moisture. Sealed system, NOT! If anyone out there thinks it is a sealed system, then why does the fluid discolor over age, and calipers over the years, tend to bind/freeze up? Well the answer is : moisture -> water -> rust.

 

I did change out the fluid about a year ago. The old fluid was dark in color.
I had a friend pump the pedal as I bled each wheel cylinder. Started at the rear passenger side, the rear drivers side and worked to the front.

 

Do mine twice a year. Just switched to Super Blue fluid for high boiling temps.

 

I was wondering, while on the subject, if anyone has experience with any of those brake bleeding tools form a place like Autozone and if they work for changing brake fluid. It would get done more often in my case if it were a one man job.

TIA for any help.

Dave

 

Bervinator,

I bought one last week and totaly bled my system. Very easy to do by yourself. I'd say spend the $25 and buy it. It's worht it and now you can do it any time you feel like it.

John

 

I haven't flushed the fluid in my truck yet, but I did flush the fluid in my 92 Sable when I bought it last year. That fluid was so black and disgusting. It's much better now.

I have been meaning to flush the fluid in my truck for about 2 years now but I'm not sure of the proper way to do it with rear ABS. I don't want to mess up a sensor or something.

Another neglected thing that you should change every few years is your coolant. That's almost never flushed either.....

 

I had this done last week at the dealer,my truck was in for an oil leak(2nd time).Brake fluid was real dark now its nice and clean again.