Brake fluid change

[solli5pack]

Hey all. Finishing up the rear main job and Im going to flush the brake fluid while I got the hood up. Just looking for some opinions on methods. I have a Tech-2 so I know I can use that but I also have the Harbor freight vacuum thing that hooks up to a compressor and its worked well on my other cars. I believe only the Tech-2 method will flush the a.b.s but Im not sure. Anyone have a preference. Should I use both?

 

[rdezs]

I prefer the motive power bleeder, and of course the tech 2 to bleed the ABS module.

The advantage of the power bleeder is you don't have to keep topping off the master cylinder, or risk at getting too low. Makes it very, very easy.

 

[89Suburban]

If you don’t have a tech 2 you can do some gravel road panic stops to try and flush the new fluid through the abs module. I’m sure you would have to make at least a few attempts and bleed cycles like that to be content.

 

[solli5pack]

I do have a tech 2. I think I'm going to use that with the refill container from the power bleeder kit. Like @rdezs said it's much easier a.d dont have to worry about draining down the master cylinder. Of course every single bleeder screw is a mountain of rust siezed in the calipers. Got one out so far with spray, high heat then sudden cold. This truck chooses violence every time!!

 

[89Suburban]

I do have a tech 2. I think I'm going to use that with the refill container from the power bleeder kit. Like @rdezs said it's much easier a.d dont have to worry about draining down the master cylinder. Of course every single bleeder screw is a mountain of rust siezed in the calipers. Got one out so far with spray, high heat then sudden cold. This truck chooses violence every time!!

I have been trying to use a dab of marine grease under some rubber caps on the bleeder tips to avoid that. To at least keep the "vagg" hole clean.

But the outer threads are another story.

This is why I try to bleed the brake fluid at least 1-2 times a year to also keep those things from seizing up.

The Motive Bleeder setup certainly helps with this. I thank @Rocket Man for introducing me to that device.

 

[rdezs]

I'm thinking I probably have the same vacuum extractor from harbor freight that you have.... Stands about 3 ft tall, came with fittings for brake bleeders? Yeah, not worth the hassle. That extractor works awesome on other things..... Like sucking all the transmission fluid out before dropping the pan, etc...... but for bleeding brakes or flushing the system especially, the Motive bleeder can't be beat. Lol, not to mention my wife loves it, since she doesn't have to come down to the shop and keep working the brake pedal.

 

[89Suburban]

I'm thinking I probably have the same vacuum extractor from harbor freight that you have.... Stands about 3 ft tall,

Yeah I got mine from Amazon. It's one of my top go tool tools. I love it.

Last time that I used it I was able to break down my cooling system down to the water pump pretty much drain pan free.

 

[mikez71]

How much fluid for a 1 complete flush? (I have a feeling I might do 3 flushes in total..)

I just bought 4 qts bosch extended interval brake fluid... dot 5.1.. Hope there's no downside..

 

[swathdiver]

How much fluid for a 1 complete flush? (I have a feeling I might do 3 flushes in total..)

I just bought 4 qts bosch extended interval brake fluid... dot 5.1.. Hope there's no downside..

We go through 6 quarts with new calipers.

Last time we didn't change calipers and used just over 4 quarts.

 

[strutaeng]

I did the brake fluid flush on my 99 Silverado and my 06 Suburban a few moths ago. I also replace the front brake lines on the Suburban because one had a small fray on the insulation. I bought that Motive pump but couldn't get it to work (IDK why?), so I did it old school with my 13 year old pumping the brake pedal. I didn't use a scanner though, didn't even remember to think about that, lol.

Trucks are driving good and stopping good. Just this past weekend I did the 2019 front brake upgrade on my Silverado and I did the same method bleeding the fronts.

 

[mikez71]

I have been thinking the pedal press is probably better at squirting out air bubbles..

I wonder if you could do both Motiv and pedal press?
Just let up super slow on the brake pedal?

 

[rdezs]

For some reason the motive bleeder seems to ship with all the fittings loose. There's been multiple postings on it. Just count on having to use some thread tape, thread sealer or whatever you have... And tighten everything up. Works great then.

 

[j91z28d1]

there's a metal and plastic gm cap. I have both since this hybrid requires something crazy like 15 or 20 psi on the master to bleed the braking system. I bought all the stuff but haven't touched it lol.

I've used about 4 different brands of power bleeders over the years, all of them have made a mess and do better bleed than just a pump and hold for me. if there's wasn't a specific tsb about it, I wouldn't have even bought the stuff.

 

[solli5pack]

Is the Tech-2 method considered a legit brake flush or is that just for flushing the ABS?

 

[rdezs]

Just the ABS. It's the only way to get the old fluid out of it. Or to get air out of it if you drain too much fluid inadvertently. (Like replacing brake lines)

 

[solli5pack]

Just the ABS. It's the only way to get the old fluid out of it. Or to get air out of it if you drain too much fluid inadvertently. (Like replacing brake lines)

SoI guess I should do the Tech 2 method first and then follow it with the vac?

 

[rdezs]

SoI guess I should do the Tech 2 method first and then follow it with the vac?

Actually no. You will push the dirty fluid out when cycling it, and it will draw your old fluid in.

I try to guesstimate when I'm about 2 quarts of brake fluid flushed into the system.... Then I bleed the ABS with the tech 2, ...basically hoping it has the new brake fluid to draw in... Then I continue flushing 2 full quarts.

That's just my own personal way of doing it.

Something to think about depending on your road conditions in the winter..... If you live somewhere like Yuma Arizona, you could probably go 200,000 miles without the ABS ever activating. Can you imagine what the fluid looks like in there? But if you live in the Northern latitudes, and you drive on snow and ice in the winter, it may get activated several times a season and you might not even know.... In which case it would probably have cleaner brake fluid, and your abs module would probably live a lot longer.

So what to extrapolate from that? If you're driving on snow and ice and you know your abs gets used every winter, it's probably not that important to bleed it with the tech 2. But if you live in Miami, you most definitely should bleed it. That's my two cents anyway

 

[Fless]

Actually no. You will push the dirty fluid out when cycling it, and it will draw your old fluid in.

I try to guesstimate when I'm about 2 quarts of brake fluid flushed into the system.... Then I bleed the ABS with the tech 2, ...basically hoping it has the new brake fluid to draw in... Then I continue flushing 2 full quarts.

^^ This.

 

[solli5pack]

So I had a malfunction when bleeding the brakes and the reservoir ran dry and now the brakes go to the floor. Can I re-bleed to get the air out or I gotta pull the m/c and bench bleed?

 

[rdezs]

I would try to continue bleeding it before taking it to the bench. It probably depends on just how empty I got.