is there a procedure or something to change out all the brake fluid in my 03 s/d 6.0L? i read somewhere this will help take out some spongeness when i do my brake job
also is there anything i need to know about these calipers? how to compress them?

 

First, in doing the calipers, open the bleeder, cover with a finger, and use a c-clamp to compress the caliper. DO IT SLOWLY and only one wheel at a time. After compressing, tighter the bleeder. You only need to do this if changing the pads. If you are not changing the pads, go to the next step.

To change the fluid, first gravity change it.

Fill the master completely to the top. It is better to have a buddy help you.

1.) Open the bleeder on the right rear wheel until you get clean fluid,
2.) Then do the left rear,
3.) The right front and
4.) Then the left front.

Once you get completely clean fluid. You are ready to bleed the system.

DO NOT START THE TRUCK TO BLEED BRAKES, IT WILL NOT WORK!

1.) Bleed the antilock block first,
2.) Then start at the right rear and work the pattern for the gravity bleed.

If you do it this way, you should not trip the antilock light. Also, in bleeding, when pumping the pedal, do not push it all the way to the floor. Just use slight pressure until you feel it move. Take it about three quarters of the way down and then lock the bleeder. Do this until you see no bubbles. A hose and clear bottle attached to the bleeder is the best way to see this.

A complete bleed will use about two quarts of fluid. Do not resuse the bled fluid. It may be contaminated. Also use the fluid recommended in you manual. Some vehicles do use silicone fluid.

Read your manual.

 

Great instructions, just do it, you will be glad you did when you see the coca-cola collored fluid come out that is oxidized and saturated. It will make your pedal firm again. Dot 3, Dot 3/4 fluid is fine to use. No DOT 5. You can get speed bleeders at the local parts store that replace the stock beeders and you won't have to close them before every up-stroke on the pedal. Learned to bleed brakes when I was 12 helping my Dad, if a teenager can do it, you can. My pedal had all sponginess gone ever since doing it last time. Plan on this as a maintenance item, some say every year, depends a little on how hard you are on brakes I think. I ussually get twice as long out of a set of pads than the average person though.

 

PS , only thing, I never mess with the antilock, my feeling is, if you do regular changes, that fuid will migrate itself and get replenished enough with fresh fluid. Seems to work.

 

But every once and a whil, you will trip that dang antilock light and bleeding it is the only cure. I just put it in to avoid the code.

 

1.) Bleed the antilock block first

how do you do this never had to mess w/ antilock before
also do i need to bleed the back brakes if i am only doing the front? other than to get the old stuff out?

 

The antilock body has a bleeder screw on it. It bleeds just like the wheel cylinders.

If I was going to do brake work, either on the front or the rear, I would bleed the entire system, just to put fresh fluid in it. You would be surprised at the drastic change this can make.