How to change brake fluid?

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JamesLond

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I've never done this before, but I know this car needs it bad. The fluid is pitch black.
 

the_tool_man

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When I've done it, I started by sucking out as much of the fluid from the reservoir as possible, using a turkey baster. Then I refill the reservoir with fresh fluid and bleed the brakes. Be sure to keep the reservoir topped off as you go, so you don't suck air into the lines. This gets everything except the ABS pump.

If you have access to a Tech2 scanner, there's a process for bleeding that, too. But I've never done it. I guess you could go on a drive and intentionally panic-stop to activate the pump. This would mix the fluid and hopefully get most of the crud out of the pump. But to get it all, you'd have to re-bleed the whole system a second time.
 

iamdub

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I've never done this before, but I know this car needs it bad. The fluid is pitch black.

I've always just done it by performing a standard bleeding process (clear hose in bottle), but staying at the right rear caliper (farthest away) until the fluid coming out is all new fluid. I'll go a couple more cycles after that to ensure. I don't have a Tech2 or any bi-directional scan tools to hold the solenoids open. When I bleed the brakes, I do a few standard pedal pumps then I'll turn the key to the "on" position just as I'm beginning another pump. The ABS solenoids are activated during a self-check when powered up. I'll do this a few times during the pumping of each corner. Also, don't push the pedal to the floor. Try to keep it within its normal range of travel. Maybe lay a 2x4 or something on the floor behind the pedal to give yourself a stop.
 

Tonyv__

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Here is another option @Rocket Man keeps barking about and is on my wish list as well, just haven't had the financing available yet:


Just used this last night on my van… I initially bought it for my wife’s MB. Apparently her 2 year service requires a brake flush so i bought it for that. Then I bought the GM attachment for my van and it worked well…. Definitely makes it a 1 man job.

However I didn’t use a tech 2 to open the ABS solenoids that I keep reading about. I just use the pump to force the old fluid through the lines
 

iamdub

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rockola1971

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The tech 2 Clone will power bleed your barkes for you. All you have to do is keep a hose on the bleeder and the opposite end submersed in fluid. Stand at the master cylinder with the tech 2 to control it and keep the master cylinder from going empty. ;)
 

the_tool_man

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iamdub

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The tech 2 Clone will power bleed your barkes for you. All you have to do is keep a hose on the bleeder and the opposite end submersed in fluid. Stand at the master cylinder with the tech 2 to control it and keep the master cylinder from going empty. ;)

Never heard of this. After thinking, I suppose it could be possible on models with StabiliTrak. Is that what you were referring to?
 
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