2005 Tahoe Bleeding brakes question

[Old Goat]

FINALLY got this brake job done!

Four days in the shop!

Both rear bleeder screws were rusting shut. No rubber caps were on them, full of rust.
Worst part was the two rubber lines at the center of the rear axle took most of one day.
Had to work in a two inch tall space above frame cross member and floor stiffener channel to get bracket loose to re-engineer bracket mounting holes because the two hoses are not made as they were originally. You can only get two left side one, not right side one.View attachment 265112

 

[Old Goat]

Sorry about double post, cannot figure out how to delete it!

 

[Old Goat]

The procedure I used was to evacuate the old master of DOT 3, fill it with denatured alcohol, pressure bled that through all four wheels, then break the whole system down as much as possible and blow out all lines.

Rebuilt all calipers, place new master, fill with DOT 5 silicone, pressure bled all four wheels, do ABS bleed of ABS controller multiple times.

Brakes are fantastic!

 

[OR VietVet]

So, you went with silicone fluid. Does this rig sit for long periods of time?

 

[Old Goat]

No, why do you ask that?

 

[Old Goat]

This one does. Has had DOT 5 in it since 1982.

 

[OR VietVet]

Typically silicone fluid is used for motorcycles and other rigs that sit for long periods of times and in vehicles brake systems so as to withstand higher heat because of its higher boiling point and is not as hygroscopic as Dot 3 and therefore absorbs less moisture.

 

[Old Goat]

Yes, I am well aware of that.

That is why I use it and why my GTO still stops on a dime with Hydroboost assist.



Works like brand new every time!

Took the whole car apart twelve years ago and the brake components didn't even need changing after 28 years.

 

[OR VietVet]

That is a very good reason and I agree with you. I have Dot 3 in my rig now but have had Dot 5 other times in rigs I owned and especially if I towed heavy loads with my Duramax.

 

[Blackmar401]

Gotchya. If it were me, then I’d use the Innova 5510 or equivalent to do the ABS bleed. Wouldn’t want to have mixed brake fluids.

Can you elaborate on the mixed brake fluids? Are you referring to topping it off with a different kind or draining the whole system and not getting it all out?

 

[Jason in DLH]

Can you elaborate on the mixed brake fluids? Are you referring to topping it off with a different kind or draining the whole system and not getting it all out?

Dot 5 is Silicone based while Dot 3 and 4 are Glycol based. Hence, Dot 3 and 4 can be mixed, but if you want to convert to Dot 5, then it’s a good idea to remove all other fluid first (including purging the ABS).