Team-BHP - Brake Fluid Replacement

Quote:

Originally Posted by Takumi-san (Post 1341851)

Vigsom , nice explained. Can you please tell me if this method needs to be followed each time while replacing brake fluid ? How do I replace the fluid otherwise? Is there any valve to empty the container (I think not). So is syringe the only option? And is it necessary to empty the lines each time as well?

Takumi San,you have to ensure that the brake fluid reservoir does not go empty. You have to displace the old fluid with new by pumping the brake and bleeding from each wheel(Refer the steps I had posted and what @sgiitk had added)

Quote:

Originally Posted by gpa (Post 1341985)

An informative post and a good read! :thumbs up

MUL recommends a change every 2 years or 20,000 kms which ever is earlier, so I suppose sticking to this will work for their cars.

Absolutely,in fact I'll recommend 15000 kms or 1.5 years

Quote:

Originally Posted by sgiitk (Post 1342081)

Puts a small length of tube (PVC) on the 'nipple' The other end is immersed in a container with brake fluid (you can use the old fluid here).

Thank You Professor,I missed out the PVC tube

Quote:

Originally Posted by prince_pervez (Post 1342263)

Question: Will replacing the brake fluid improve braking. Brakes on my zen are not responding as they used to. I changed the brake pads to little effect. So do I need to replace the brake oil ?

brak fluid replacement is required only if it is over 18 months old.The effect on braking would not be significant.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTO (Post 1342881)

Nice post, Vigsom. Thanks for sharing.

Something most people overlook : You MUST change your brake fluid once in 2 years, irrespective of how less you've driven the car. Of course, high milers (50,000 kms p.a.) will do well with even earlier flushing.

Thanks for the compliment Big Boss:)

Quote:

Originally Posted by vigsom (Post 1343080)

brak fluid replacement is required only if it is over 18 months old.The effect on braking would not be significant.

And also if your car went in for a prolonged accident repair. Since, however good the workshop is, there is a chance that the car was dismantled without necessary precaution. I have used 2 brands of cars so far Ford & BMW. Believe me, the skills of tinkers & denters are limited. Have seen at the bodyshop things like brake hoses hanging loose, brake fluid reservoir cap missing & the mouth secured with a waste cloth and strip clamp! :Shockked:

Hi !

My handbrake was not holding so got my Esteem`s brakes overhauled recently at a MASS.

As a precaution, got the rear brake cylinders and shoes replaced. The brake oil was also replaced and air bled as per procedure ( two guys - one pumping the brakes and another releasing air).

Now after all this effort, a strange noise has started coming from the booster whenever brakes are applied suddenly. The MASS says it is from the piston in the master cylinder and there would be no effect on the braking. Got an independent opinion from an outside garage, and the verdict was same.
Could anyone throw light on why the noise has come ? I am willing to change the booster to be on the safer side as Esteem does not have independent circuits for braking like the Ikon.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTO (Post 1342881)

I looked at my Aveo's manual and found that GM recommends 30,000km or 3 years whichever is earlier. My Aveo has covered 14000km in 2 years.

In a quandary about whether to change the brake fluid at my 2 year service next month or follow GM's recommendation.

Quote:

Originally Posted by itwasntme (Post 1354447)

Three years should be OK - in my case I carried on and on and on for 5.5 years.

@vigsom: the main reason for changing brake fluid is that it being hygroscopic in nature tends to absorb moisture. The on hard braking the water can separate from the fluid and form steam. this will be like air in the circuit, i.e. no braking.

Also, since the fluid does not circulate fully, the fluid in the cylinders tends to thicken (polymerize) with age. This will take far more than two or three years. I have actually seen a Fiat where the oil was so thick that they broke the cylinder and had to replace that as well.

So stretch brake fluid changes at your own peril.

A very good and informative post. However, likewise, changing of timing belt and other critical items are almost forced upon by authorized service centres, I don't see them pushing their clients for brake fluid change during say 20K or 30K servicing intervals. While, assuming that the owner of the car may be ignorant, to me, its duty of service advisor to educate his patrons and empahsize on importance of such matters.

Kudos for bringing up this thread.

takecare and drive safely

Quote:

Originally Posted by mithun (Post 1376893)

During my trips to service centers, what I've noticed normally is that chaps will always keep the lid of the fluid bottle open & simply fill it in all the vehicle. They are not bothered about the fact that fluid is hygroscopic !

A few minutes exposure will not matter. You cannot fully seal the lid since air has to go in and out as the fluid level changes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mithun (Post 1376893)

Another problem is that they will use DOT 3 in the place of DOT 4.

As long as you do not mix the two it should be Ok. Also, does the car really call for DOT4!