Changing brake fluid

[2000 GMC]

I want to flush out the brake fluid on my truck this weekend. I did the brakes last year but didn't bother with the fluid. I coundn't find anything in the Tech Corner. Does anyone know where I can find it on the net or can they explain it to me?

 

Thanks.

[BlueTahoe]

I have never done this but I was going to just use a turkey baster to pull all the fluid from the resevoir and then refill with new. After that I was going to bleed at each wheel till the fluid looks better. Just make sure you top of the resevoir while bleeding.

 

Not sure if this is the official way of doing it but I can't imagine how else to do it.

[az'03Silverado]

That's about it. I used an automotive vacuum pump to suck as much fluid from the reservior as I could. Then I topped it off with new and bled the brakes. One warning. If you're using a vacuum pump, keep an eye on the fluid bottle. If it gets too full, fluid will come squirting out of the top of the pump and all over your truck. I didn't and mine did and I've never run so fast for the garden hose to wash that crap off of my truck.

[Taaaaaaahoe?]

Yes, thats basically it... Be careful i hear brake fluid can actually eat paint...true or not? i dono but I didnt want to find out.

 

here is what I did.

1) Remove all old fluid from resivour (turkey baster works!)

2) re-fill as full as you can with new fluid (helps to have a helper keep the level up if you can)

3) Start bleeding breaks until new fluid is exiting. you can do this in a few ways.

A- open up bleed valve and let it flow until new stuff is out

B- open up valve while someone pushes on break (make sure you close valve BEFORE the let it travel back)

C- open up valve and use a vac pump ( got one for about $14) and suck it out.

All work fine, some faster than others, and I like to use a peice oc clear tube on the valve so I can see what is comming out, and direct it into a bottle.

4) Make sure you do this in proper order..from farthest from the Master cylinder to closest. meaning this order

 

1.) Rear Passanger side

2.) Rear driver side

3.) Front Pas side

4.) Front driver side

 

- - Well at least thats what I was told..

 

Mike

[2000 GMC]

Thanks for the replies. I might do it this afternoon or tomorrow in the drive way. I figure it should take a couple to 3 hours if I take my time. I just need to make sure I have a big empty container to put the old fluid in.

[Taaaaaaahoe?]

Thanks for the replies.  I might do it this afternoon or tomorrow in the drive way.  I figure it should take a couple to 3 hours if I take my time.  I just need to make sure I have a big empty container to put the old fluid in.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

 

you wont need THAT much time, even if you let it drip out

 

And you dont nees a BIG container either...there is only a few MAYBE 1 - 1.5 quarts in the system... just depends on how much you want to fluch out.

 

Good luck!

 

Mike