brake & clutch fluid change ???

[DWRAT]

My nosey neighbor says I need to change my brake fluid and clutch fluid.
Any advise on how to do this or where to have it done?
Thanks

[Bob Broberg SPF667 460BB]

You can do it in your driveway or take it to most any car repair place. I've had it done at Brake Masters before and have done it myself.

AZ Bob

[Bob Broberg SPF667 460BB]

You can do it in your driveway or take it to most any car repair place. I've had it done at Brake Masters before and have done it myself. Dot 3 fluid. Are your fluids dark and/or low? Clutch fluid needs changing more often than brakes.

AZ Bob

[DWRAT]

Brake fluid looks dark.
It looks like the wheels have to come off, is that how you did it or Brake Masters did it?

[Tommy]

As I used to track my car, I've changed its brake fluid many times, so I know it's not an awful task. On my car the wheels do have to be off and its best if the car is level. But, it may require some special tools you don't have, its a tedious process making sure the reservoir doesn't get air into it, you run the risk of damaging your paint if you get careless with the fluid, and you may need a helper to pump the brake pedal at times. For all these reasons, I suggest that unless you've done the job before and see it as no big deal, let a professional do it for you.

[Danr55]

Dan. Go see Charlie. Save yourself some headaches.

[Dwight]

I'm picking up a qt of DOT 5 for a Austin Healy this morning at the part store, $26 qt.
After a little research I decided that Dot 5 would be better in a car not driven as much as a daily driver. It will not absorbs water like Dot 3 or 4.
A buddy of mine has a tool which he hooks up to his air compressor to suck the fluid out of the system. A must have on new cars with ABS brakes. You have to watch the master cylinder and keep it full to keep air out.
We did my wife 05 car a couple of weeks ago and it only took 15 minutes or so.
I would suggest you call a local brake place and see if they have DOT 5 and can do the job for you.
Oh yea another good thing about Dot 5, it does not blister the paint off your car.

Dwight
__________________________________________________ ___________
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Not to be confused with DOT 5.1, a polyethylene glycol based fluid.
DOT 5 is one of several North American designations of automotive hydraulic brake fluid, denoting a particular mixture of chemicals imparting specified ranges of boiling point.

DOT 5 is a silicone-based brake fluid (contains at least 70% by weight of a diorgano polysiloxane[1]).

Unlike polyethylene glycol based fluids, it is hydrophobic. An advantage over other forms of brake fluid is that silicone has a more stable viscosity index over a wider temperature range. Another property is that it does not damage paint.[citation needed]

Using DOT 5 in a DOT 3 or DOT 4 system without proper flushing will cause damage to the seals and cause brake failure.[citation needed] DOT 5 brake fluid is not compatible with anti-lock brake systems. DOT 5 brake fluid absorbs a small amount of air requiring care when bleeding the system of air.[citation needed]

[Scotchman]

At what intervals do you guys recommend changing the brake fluid. Miles vs. years ?

[Shootnride]

DWRAT,

Flushing brake and clutch fluids is not a particularly difficult task, but if you've never done it before, I think the advice given here by others to take it to a good mechanic would be money well spent. You could watch how it's done and decide if you want to tackle that job the next time it needs it.

Originally Posted by Dwight

Using DOT 5 in a DOT 3 or DOT 4 system without proper flushing will cause damage to the seals and cause brake failure.[citation needed] DOT 5 brake fluid is not compatible with anti-lock brake systems. DOT 5 brake fluid absorbs a small amount of air requiring care when bleeding the system of air.[citation needed]

I would be very cautious about using DOT 5 fluid in a system designed for DOT 3 or 4. As the quote posted by Dwight above states, the systems need to be THOROUGHLY flushed of all previous fluids and even then, if the seals, o-rings, etc. were not designed for DOT 5, you may really screw up your brake and clutch hydraulics.

Just my two cents.

Ted

[DonC]

X2 on the caution about mixing DOT 3/4 and DOT 5. They aren't compatible.
There have been a number of threads about it here on the forum.
The use of a compressor driven unit to pull the old fluid out or a pressure unit to push old fluid out is definitely a plus. If you go with a pressure unit keep the pressure low. I use 5 psi with my Gunson unit and can do the whole operation by myself in about 20 minutes.

DonC

[Bob Broberg SPF667 460BB]

Dan, I change mine about every 6 years whether it needs it or not. LOL. You do not have to remove the tires but you do have to do a lot of crawling underneath so lift the whole car. I rigged a clear jar and clear hoses to go from bleeder valve to jar so I could see when fluid is clean. I used an old instant coffee jar, drilled perfect size hole on plastic top and filled it about 1/3 with new brake fluid so no sucking air back into system. Start with RR then LR then RF then LF. Pump brake and keep reservoir filled with long hose and funnel. Clutch is easier and you use the same parts. No machines needed. It's easier with help but I have done it by myself. Next time for brakes I am going to Brake Masters with a coupon. Dot 3. Clutch fluid change is easy in the garage.

AZ Bob

[DWRAT]

Originally Posted by Danr55

Dan. Go see Charlie. Save yourself some headaches.

Thanks Dan,
Heading to Charlie's at 8:00am Friday.

Bob thanks for a the info but being so new and not wanting problems I will let some one else do it.

[vatdevil]

DOT 5

It does NOT mix with DOT3 or DOT 4 or DOT 5.1. Most reported problems with DOT 5 are probably due to some degree of mixing with other fluid types. A residue of the former non-compatible fluid is sufficient to cause serious issues. The best way to convert to DOT 5 is to totally rebuild the hydraulic system. Additionally, the same advice applies if switching from Dot 5 to any of the other fluids.

Since DOT 5 does not absorb water, any moisture in the hydraulic system will "puddle" in one place. This can cause localized corrosion in the hydraulics.

Careful bleeding is required to get all of the air out of the system. It is hard to you without introducing bubbles and thus results in soft pedal feel. These small bubbles will form large bubbles over time. It may be necessary to do a series of bleeds.

DOT 5 is less compressible (often creating a slightly softer pedal). It is not recommended for racing application.
It is hard to pour without introducing bubbles and thus results in soft pedal feel,

It is not recommended by the brake manufacturer, especially for ABS brakes.

It is about twice as expensive as DOT 4 fluid.

So silicone fluid aerates easily. Harley-Davison, one of the sole current OEM users of silicone fluid, warns buyers to let the fluid sit at least an hour before using it. If shaken on the way home, it will aerate enough to look like a freshly poured soft drink. Silicone fluid is also slightly more compressible than glycol fluid, does not change color to tip the user to its moisture content, and worst of all, neither accepts or disperses moisture, making systems using it more corrosion prone, and requiring much more frequent fluid changes. Silicone brake fluid also lacks glycol fluid's naturally occurring lubricity, making it incompatible with the mechanical valving in some anti-lock braking systems.

[Danr55]

Good choice. See you Saturday morning.

[Scotchman]

Are Dot3 and 4 compatible ? Can't remember which one I originally installed, and have both partial bottles in garage. Also, is there a shelf life on brake fluid ?

[Car Nut]

Originally Posted by DWRAT

Thanks Dan,
Heading to Charlie's at 8:00am Friday.

Bob thanks for a the info but being so new and not wanting problems I will let some one else do it.

You can use synthetic brake fluid such as Valvoline, it mixes with regular fluid and won't ruin most paints. Slightly more expensive than regular fluid. I use it in everything.

[Bob Broberg SPF667 460BB]

Yes, you can mix Dot 3 and Dot 4. I use Dot 3 because it is cheaper and I don't race. Dot 4 costs more but has more additives to handle higher heat, like when racing. Use up what you have and replace when dirty and/or old. The definition of old varies.

AZ Bob

[Danr55]

Scotty don't chance it. Trash them both and start over.

[DWRAT]

Originally Posted by Danr55

Dan. Go see Charlie. Save yourself some headaches.

Originally Posted by DWRAT

Thanks Dan,
Heading to Charlie's at 8:00am Friday.

Well she's all taken care of thanks to Charlie.
He also fixed the radiator drain plug that someone stripped out yesterday.