Have you flushed your brake fluid?
11-20-2010, 09:32 AM
#31
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I wouldn't think so.
Anyway, another vote for the mity-vac.
In addition to brakes, I've used mine more than I ever figured I would, testing MAP sensors, or changing the fork fluid in my Road King without taking the fork legs out.
Anyway, another vote for the mity-vac.
In addition to brakes, I've used mine more than I ever figured I would, testing MAP sensors, or changing the fork fluid in my Road King without taking the fork legs out.
11-21-2010, 12:27 AM
#32
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If I changes all my "other" fluids at 20K, that would mean this year I would have changed "other" fluids 6-7 times this year. That sounds expensive.
David
11-21-2010, 10:58 AM
#33
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Good thing I stumbled upon this thread! I haven't flushed my brake fluid since new. My brakes are still the originals at 110,000 miles. How much fluid is there in the entire system to change out? Quart or ???
11-22-2010, 09:48 AM
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11-23-2010, 01:40 PM
#38
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11-23-2010, 06:32 PM
#39
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Some may wonder why do I need to change my brake fluid every 20-30,000 miles or EVER!
I found the answer to that question abput 15 years ago. Don't think at that point I had ever changed the brake fluid(other than when bleeding) on any vehicle I had ever owned.
I had just bought a 4 year old motorhome that was on a Ford Superduty Chassis. It had 19,000 miles on it. I was on my first major camping trial and rolling down a 6700 ft mountain from Big Bear Ca. to the valley below. I was towing my Toyota pick up. Near the bottom of the mountain I pulled over to pull out on a curve to let the traffic pass. As I pulled back out to the highway I braked as I was checking for merging traffic. The brake pedal went to the floor. NO BRAKES! I pumped them for all I was worth! NADA, ZIP, NOTHING.
The brake fluid had boiled and because it had moisture in it, the water vaporized and when the brakes were applied the water vapor compressed and thus no brakes. When the fluid is all liquid there is no compression as a liquid will not compress. Luckily I was only going about 20 MPH at that point and I dropped the tranny into low and was able to find a wide pull out a couple of miles down the road where it leveled out and I got her stopped with the emergency brake.
When I looked into the issue, I found that Ford recommended changing the fluid every 20,000 miles especially on a vehicle like an RV that sits for long periods of time.
I found the answer to that question abput 15 years ago. Don't think at that point I had ever changed the brake fluid(other than when bleeding) on any vehicle I had ever owned.
I had just bought a 4 year old motorhome that was on a Ford Superduty Chassis. It had 19,000 miles on it. I was on my first major camping trial and rolling down a 6700 ft mountain from Big Bear Ca. to the valley below. I was towing my Toyota pick up. Near the bottom of the mountain I pulled over to pull out on a curve to let the traffic pass. As I pulled back out to the highway I braked as I was checking for merging traffic. The brake pedal went to the floor. NO BRAKES! I pumped them for all I was worth! NADA, ZIP, NOTHING.
The brake fluid had boiled and because it had moisture in it, the water vaporized and when the brakes were applied the water vapor compressed and thus no brakes. When the fluid is all liquid there is no compression as a liquid will not compress. Luckily I was only going about 20 MPH at that point and I dropped the tranny into low and was able to find a wide pull out a couple of miles down the road where it leveled out and I got her stopped with the emergency brake.
When I looked into the issue, I found that Ford recommended changing the fluid every 20,000 miles especially on a vehicle like an RV that sits for long periods of time.
11-23-2010, 08:36 PM
#40
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11-26-2011, 05:21 PM
#42
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1) Sprayed bleeders with Kroil every other day for a week.
2) Used turkey baster to suck out fluid out of the reservoir then topped off with fresh fluid.
3) Used a Motive pressure bleeder and just over 2 quarts of Dot 4 fluid all in.
Entire job took about 1.5 hrs.
I also did the same to my wife's 2004 Neon this morning with 41,000 miles.
The Motive pressure bleeder is sure handy and, contrary to what I originally envisioned, it didn't overfill the master cylinder reservoir nor cause any spillage during disconnection.
11-26-2011, 06:29 PM
#43
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Bought my truck with 118k on the clock. Brakes felt pretty normal, but brake fluid was on my "change" list. A Mitymax pulled out fluid that looked like weak coffee along with a couple of little bubbles. Took me three quarts to get it all clear, but what a difference it made in the feel of the brakes. I think it may become a Spring ritual. Brake fluid is pretty cheap insurance!
11-27-2011, 09:48 AM
#45
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Back flushing can damage the ABS unit. When you change your pads and or shoes, open the bleeder so when you compress the caliper or the wheel cylinder, the old fluid goes out the bleeder and not back through the ABS unit and into the master cylinder.
I do mine every 30-40 thousand miles.
I do mine every 30-40 thousand miles.
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