Brake fluid!

[macafee2]

Originally Posted by breakfastinsmethwick

I used a sealy pressure bleeder when I changed all the solid and flexi lines on my sons ZT. This made it very easy.

The fluid that came out was foul, probably never changed. Anyway, the brake pedal has always been fine even when the ABS system was activated.

To me changing the brake fluid is a no brainer to reduce the chance of contamination due to internal corrosion and of course maintaining the boiling point of the fluid.

http://www.sealey.co.uk/PLPageBuilder.asp
id=20&method=mViewProduct&productid=9320

link not working for me

try this http://www.sealey.co.uk/PLPageBuilde...productid=9320

macafee2

[saxo1980]

Well i had the pipes done so mine has been changed and dont think i be doing that again.
And the Master Cylnder Failed again 2 cars 2 master cylnders changed.


THANK YOU TO M/BRI FOR AN Master Cylnder.
Car is now back on road this is the 2nd time this has happend and its put me off even geting them done again to me i deffo wont even enter my head to do ever

To be fair i probs ov not even had rear breaks if the master cylnder was not working rite good job i had

190 brakes on front lol ha








thanks again Bri. saved again

[Mike Noc]

Originally Posted by ceedy

Be interested to know where the sealed system actually allows this "absorbed "water in ?
C

It isn't a sealed system - as well as climatic changes the fluid level will drop as the brake pads wear, and the system is vented to allow for this.

[bl52krz]

Hi Mike. My understanding of the ‘sealed ‘ system, is that the ‘condom’ that sits on top of the master cylinder, under the cap,where it is topped up, is supposed to seal the system from the air. Under those conditions, how is it venting.As the fluid drops, the condom stretching, following the fluid down,still keeps it sealed. Or does it?.

[bikerdude666]

To those of you that do/have changed the brake fluid, what do you do with it after? I've had a look at the local recycling centre and there's nothing there for brake fluid, just fuel and engine oil. I've still got a container in my garage of the old stuff I got out of my bike and car last year.

[Avulon]

Originally Posted by bikerdude666

To those of you that do/have changed the brake fluid, what do you do with it after? I've had a look at the local recycling centre and there's nothing there for brake fluid, just fuel and engine oil. I've still got a container in my garage of the old stuff I got out of my bike and car last year.

Mix it in with your used engine/gear oil and put it in the oil recycler.

[Mike Noc]

Originally Posted by bl52krz

Hi Mike. My understanding of the ‘sealed ‘ system, is that the ‘condom’ that sits on top of the master cylinder, under the cap,where it is topped up, is supposed to seal the system from the air. Under those conditions, how is it venting.As the fluid drops, the condom stretching, following the fluid down,still keeps it sealed. Or does it?.

Spot on in the case of the clutch master cylinder David, but there is no condom in the brake master cylinder reservoir.

If you look closely at the clutch master cylinder reservoir cap there is a small hole in it to vent above the condom.

[Ross R75]

Originally Posted by bikerdude666

To those of you that do/have changed the brake fluid, what do you do with it after? I've had a look at the local recycling centre and there's nothing there for brake fluid, just fuel and engine oil. I've still got a container in my garage of the old stuff I got out of my bike and car last year.

Brake fluid is a light hydraulic oil. It goes in with the engine oil at the recycling place.

Struggling to believe that so many people who insist on "proper maintenance", quality parts, and good tyres etc, don't even carry out basic maintenance such as changing brake fluid. It's hygroscopic, it has to be changed regularly!

[topman]

I remember reading a report about this from the US. Commissioned by one of the manufacturer associations, they tested a load of Fords, GMs etc brake fluid from 10 year old cars that were in the scrap yard. Very few cars in the US have brake fluid changes (apparently), they found that although the brake fluid had degraded it hadn't degraded in any significant way as to effect braking performance.

[Ross R75]

Originally Posted by topman

I remember reading a report about this from the US. Commissioned by one of the manufacturer associations, they tested a load of Fords, GMs etc brake fluid from 10 year old cars that were in the scrap yard. Very few cars in the US have brake fluid changes (apparently), they found that although the brake fluid had degraded it hadn't degraded in any significant way as to effect braking performance.

An interesting story, but without a source link, unfortunately it's a "my mate Dave".

Brake fluid has 2 boiling points. We know it absorbs moisture over time, so it has a "dry" boiling point for new untainted fluid, and a wet boiling point for old fluid 2-3 years old. In the case of DOT4 brake fluid that will be in most of our cars, the wet boiling point is 60 degrees C lower than the dry boiling point. That's a huge difference.

When the brake fluid boils, any water in it turns to steam. Steam/vapour can be compressed, which means that effort at the pedal isn't reaching the brake caliper pistons and braking performance is reduced.

I'll continue doing mine every time I buy a used car, and every 2 years thereafter. Others may differ, as is their right.