I decided to change out my brake fluid today...was nasty and brown + 10 yrs old. Used a water bottle, some 3/8 vinyl tubing, and the wife to help. Has all new clean fluid and a better pedal feel for sure. Ran about 1 full water bottle out per wheel bleeder while keeping the resiviour full the whole time. Lots of nasty black stuff removed. I never really thought about changing that out until I noticed one of my neighbors doing it. Have a couple pics of the process but didn't figure anybody would care that much to see them so I'll save you all the agony...lol.

 

Tools used...

a discarded (dry) water bottle with a hole drilled in the lid to fit the tubing

3/8 wrench (for the bleeders)

some 3/8 clear vinyl tubing

a 32oz bottle of DOT3 brake fluid plus another small bottle of the same

a turkey baster to empty the resiviour out initially (almost, don't draw all the fluid out)

an old 5 qt oil jug to collect the old/discarded fluid

a helper (the wife) to hold the brake pedal a little as I closed the bleeders after draining (via gravity) to make sure no air was in the lines.

 

Good for you. Did you notice a better feeling pedal or stoping ability?

 

actually yea...the pedal feels way better. Never thought about before on any other vehicle I've owned but it does help.

 

does ford even recommend this in their service schedule? how come they dont but most others do?
my 2007 has never been changed. and on my other cars i change brake fluid routinely every 2 years. Is there any tricks to doing trucks with rear drums?
I think im going to put this on my short list to do this summer.
on my other cars i use a motive power bleeder, makes bleeding very easy.

that said... my 98' explorer was retired after 11 years of service and 215,000 miles and i never changed the brake fluid, never had any brake system issues.

 

i think its just personal preference to do it. The fluid just gets nasty looking after awhile.

Rear drums are just like the front, The bleeder is on the back side of the drum brake area. I didn't use a bleeder simply because i don't have one but it would make it easier.

 

Nice work... never done it but I know lots who have!

 

I do this once a year with STi and same with my motorcycles.. it's always good to do. I don't empty the resovior like you did, I have a pump that I actually pressurize the system and then just loosen the brake bleed bolt.. it's faster and you don't run the risk on introducing air into the system as long as you watch the resovior and make sure that it doesn't run dry. Plan on doing my truck here once the weather isn't 105 degrees..arg!

-Nigel

 

It's a good idea to do this periodically, as brake fluid will collect water, which, being heavier than the brake fluid, migrates to the lowest point in the system. This is usually one or more of the calipers or wheel cylinders. This causes the parts to rust and the pistons to sieze.

 

It's a good idea to do this periodically, as brake fluid will collect water, which, being heavier than the brake fluid, migrates to the lowest point in the system. This is usually one or more of the calipers or wheel cylinders. This causes the parts to rust and the pistons to sieze.

 

If your goIng to change the fluid upgrade to speed bleeders.