Brake fluid flush.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 109
Likes: 12
I flush the system when I do my brakes. Seems like a good time to do it. Just me, I use PENTOSIN DOT 4 LV and i bleed the ABS system as well. Brakes are rock hard and work well. You will need a good scan tool to bleed the ABS system.
New User
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
I wonder what you will all say on this decision. For the past 10+ years I have been putting the pads in dry (internal guide pins with rubber boots get grease). My reasoning stems from woodworking, Brakes are dusty. Grease is sticky. Why would you put something sticky in an area that is prone to creating dust? 200K miles combined on 3 vehicles, and no problems yet.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,671
Likes: 672
From: DeMotte, IN
I do mine about every 50k. You’ll be surprised all the dark fluid you bleed, especially the first time you bleed them.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 8,450
Likes: 70
From: South Jersey
Brake fluid should be flushed EVERY two years with the type specified in your manual. DO NOT put DOT4 in a vehicle equipped with DOT3. Brake fluid is under EXTREME pressure and temperatures and it can boil/burn at the calipers even under normal operation. PLUS it attracts moisture
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,748
Likes: 118
From: Tallassee, ALabama
Brake fluid should be flushed EVERY two years with the type specified in your manual. DO NOT put DOT4 in a vehicle equipped with DOT3. Brake fluid is under EXTREME pressure and temperatures and it can boil/burn at the calipers even under normal operation. PLUS it attracts moisture
Brake fluid is designed to be at high temps and high pressure. This is normal situation else the brake system would have been designed differently as the new innovations have appeared in the automotive world. Now days, most people or shops rarely remove the master cylinder cap to check the fluid level since most all have "plastic" fluid reservoirs that you can visually see the fluid level. And even if you do remove it, the amount of moisture absorbed would be minuscule.
SO, you can flush yours and do what ever you want, I personally think it is not a maintenance item since your owner's manual does NOT specific a fluid flush as it does for oil or your ATF.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,748
Likes: 118
From: Tallassee, ALabama
Ditto that. But what I have been doing the past few years is cracking the bleeder when I push the piston(s) in so the brake fluid that has been in the caliper is not forced back into or backwards through the system. It is only cracked enough that fluid comes out when pressure is applied and no air can get in. May be overkill, but then again, I also take the mounting plates off and throughly clean them of rust and debris.
I wonder what you will all say on this decision. For the past 10+ years I have been putting the pads in dry (internal guide pins with rubber boots get grease). My reasoning stems from woodworking, Brakes are dusty. Grease is sticky. Why would you put something sticky in an area that is prone to creating dust? 200K miles combined on 3 vehicles, and no problems yet.
I wonder what you will all say on this decision. For the past 10+ years I have been putting the pads in dry (internal guide pins with rubber boots get grease). My reasoning stems from woodworking, Brakes are dusty. Grease is sticky. Why would you put something sticky in an area that is prone to creating dust? 200K miles combined on 3 vehicles, and no problems yet.
Similar to you, I have cracked open the bleeder screw to push the piston back but usually only do this if the master cylinder reservoir doesn't appear to have room to accept the fluid pushed back from the caliper.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 1,704
Likes: 164
From: Southwest Ohio
I also replace all the brake fluid every couple of years, although I have done some cars more frequently.
If you have even removed the cap to the master cylinder, then you have introduced moisture into the braking system. Not enough moisture to cause a problem but still moisture nontheless. Since it is long term moisture that causes brake system components to fail (thanks to the great hydroscopic capabilities of the fluid), I replace the fluid.
It's an easy job with minimal cost, unlike replacing a failed ABS unit. There are many cars manufacturers that say the cooking system is maintenance free and has special additives (Audi, for one) that should never be serviced. Want to know why the car (Audi) started running hot? Gunked up water pump and radiator caked with white crusty deposits. One owner 80,000 mile car.
-- Dave
If you have even removed the cap to the master cylinder, then you have introduced moisture into the braking system. Not enough moisture to cause a problem but still moisture nontheless. Since it is long term moisture that causes brake system components to fail (thanks to the great hydroscopic capabilities of the fluid), I replace the fluid.
It's an easy job with minimal cost, unlike replacing a failed ABS unit. There are many cars manufacturers that say the cooking system is maintenance free and has special additives (Audi, for one) that should never be serviced. Want to know why the car (Audi) started running hot? Gunked up water pump and radiator caked with white crusty deposits. One owner 80,000 mile car.
-- Dave
New User
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
I see nothing wrong with dry pads but checking or greasing the pins as needed. I have never used anything between the caliper and pad in the last 40 plus years.
Similar to you, I have cracked open the bleeder screw to push the piston back but usually only do this if the master cylinder reservoir doesn't appear to have room to accept the fluid pushed back from the caliper.
Similar to you, I have cracked open the bleeder screw to push the piston back but usually only do this if the master cylinder reservoir doesn't appear to have room to accept the fluid pushed back from the caliper.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 422
Likes: 4
Brake fluid should be flushed EVERY two years with the type specified in your manual. DO NOT put DOT4 in a vehicle equipped with DOT3. Brake fluid is under EXTREME pressure and temperatures and it can boil/burn at the calipers even under normal operation. PLUS it attracts moisture
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,748
Likes: 118
From: Tallassee, ALabama
I also replace all the brake fluid every couple of years, although I have done some cars more frequently.
If you have even removed the cap to the master cylinder, then you have introduced moisture into the braking system. Not enough moisture to cause a problem but still moisture nontheless. Since it is long term moisture that causes brake system components to fail (thanks to the great hydroscopic capabilities of the fluid), I replace the fluid.
It's an easy job with minimal cost, unlike replacing a failed ABS unit. There are many cars manufacturers that say the cooking system is maintenance free and has special additives (Audi, for one) that should never be serviced. Want to know why the car (Audi) started running hot? Gunked up water pump and radiator caked with white crusty deposits. One owner 80,000 mile car.
-- Dave
If you have even removed the cap to the master cylinder, then you have introduced moisture into the braking system. Not enough moisture to cause a problem but still moisture nontheless. Since it is long term moisture that causes brake system components to fail (thanks to the great hydroscopic capabilities of the fluid), I replace the fluid.
It's an easy job with minimal cost, unlike replacing a failed ABS unit. There are many cars manufacturers that say the cooking system is maintenance free and has special additives (Audi, for one) that should never be serviced. Want to know why the car (Audi) started running hot? Gunked up water pump and radiator caked with white crusty deposits. One owner 80,000 mile car.
-- Dave
BTW, Ford specs for the DOT 3 and DOT 4 has the LV designation.