24 Month Brake Fluid Flush

[Kestas]

Labman, why do most European car manufacturers require brake flushes every two years? Are you saying with their volumes of research and expertise that support this requirement are flawed?... or that they pulled this requirement out of thin air?

 

[kenw]

if you have crud/sludge in the brake lines, you have other problems, like how did it get in there? It's not from "not changing the fluid". If you do have it, yes a flush and replacement would fix it once, but unless you fix the root cause, it will return no matter how much fluid you replace.

 

[TxGreaseMonkey]

Steve S, Amen.

 

[rgl]

quote:

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if you have crud/sludge in the brake lines, you have other problems, like how did it get in there?

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It is likely it would be from the breakdown of the anticorrosion additives in the fluid causing the metal to corrode. Or the fluid itself breaking down. Otherwise it would have to be that some crud is being drawn back into the system from the caliper pistons, no? In which case it would mean the seals are not perfect and having new fluid would likely prevent corrosion even outside the seal. I might be an idiot for changing fluid, but an idiot that has not had to change a piston in a caliper or MC in any car I have ever owned, the last two being over 10 years old when sold and having over 200K on the clock. Brakes always worked well and when the pads needed replacing there was no suggestion of rebuilding calipers in the shop.

 

[TxGreaseMonkey]

kenw, the crud and sludge is a by-product of worn out brake fluid; i.e., corrosion inhibitors are shot, lubricating properties are gone, water and air saturate the fluid. Then, parts corrode, "soft parts" begin to really wear, and you are left with capita mortem in your system. Do you ever change your engine oil?

 

[TxGreaseMonkey]

Not regularly changing brake fluid keeps all of these brake shops in business. It's a full employment recipe for brake repairmen. It seems to me we have a proliferation of brake shops, now that Detroit doesn't say brake fluid needs to be changed. It benefits Detroit and their suppliers as well as the auto parts stores.

 

[kenw]

quote:

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Originally posted by TxGreaseMonkey:
kenw, the crud and sludge is a by-product of worn out brake fluid; i.e., corrosion inhibitors are shot, lubricating properties are gone, water and air saturate the fluid. Then, parts corrode, "soft parts" begin to really wear, and you are left with capita mortem in your system. Do you ever change your engine oil?

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yes, but the oil system is NOT a closed system like the brake circuit is. Or like it is supposed to be.

"crud/sludge" implies a solid or semi-solid mass. Where did this come from? There are no solids in brake fluid. Is it from corroded lines/parts?

Fine, my point is that flushing and replacing the fluid will not "un-corrode" these parts nor will it even stop the corrosion.

You have to replace the corroded part or the "crud" (whatever it is from) will return. You haven't fixed anything by just flushing or replacing the fluid.

 

[TxGreaseMonkey]

kenw, there is no such thing as a closed system forever. Air and moisture molecules are constantly being absorbed into the brake system, even through the new and improved EPDM hoses.

 

[rgl]

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nor will it even stop the corrosion

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Yes it will. Or it will help. That's what the anticorrosive additives are for. And they wear out.

 

[TxGreaseMonkey]

If you want to save money and get ahead in life, then regularly change your brake fluid. There's a giant sucking sound you hear when you take your car in for brake service. It's the sound of money being transfered from your wallet to their cash register.

 

[labman]

This topic always brings out the closed minds unwilling to compare their theories to the real world.