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Flush your brake lines?

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Old 12-16-2002, 05:48 PM
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Flush your brake lines?

Does anyone do this?<br>I was told by a mechanic that the brake lines should be flushed out every 2 years. I never have done this. I had to bleed my brakes to get air out of the lines this past weekend. The fluid that came out was dark not clear. I went ahead an flushed the entire system. Guess I'll do this every couple of years from now on.
Old 12-16-2002, 07:02 PM
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Re:Flush your brake lines?

never even thought about doing it.<br>Maybe I should?<br>Dm01
Old 12-16-2002, 07:28 PM
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Re:Flush your brake lines?

Down here in Florida in the heat, they recommend you change the brake lines every time you do the brakes up front. Hoses get hard from the heat and built up stuff inside. There's also a Y in the line were it splits from left to right. It has a check valve in it, I understand. That needs changing as well. Last time My Son and I did his on his 96 CTD thats want we did. <br>There was a differance in flow between the old lines and the new. We poured some fluid down each on to see. <br><br>Dave
Old 12-18-2002, 09:39 AM
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Re:Flush your brake lines?

I change the brake fluid and power steering fluid every year. Flushing is a good idea.
Old 12-18-2002, 11:30 AM
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Re:Flush your brake lines?

How does a guy go about flushing the brake lines? Do you just keep filling up the master cylinder and bleeding each wheel till you get clean fluid out? How much brake fluid does it take?<br>Thanks
Old 12-18-2002, 01:08 PM
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Re:Flush your brake lines?

Flushing your brakes is a good idea, especialy if you have ever gotten your brakes very hot. The heat degrades the fluid. Brake fluid has an affinity for water, never use a can of brake fluid that has been opened and then put back on the shelf and been sitting for a while. You can change it by opening the bleed valve at each wheel cyclinder (one at a time) and letting it drain until it run clear.
Old 12-18-2002, 02:39 PM
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Re:Flush your brake lines?

I bought 3 ft of 3/16 clear hose at the hardware store.<br>I then got a clean jar, put about an inch of new fluid in the bottom of the jar. I loosened the bleed screw, attached the hose and stuck the other end in the jar, then pumped 3 or 4 times, topped off the master cylinder, repeat until it runs clear. According to the manual I have, I started at the anti lock valve on the frame, then went to the right rear. left rear, right front, left front.<br>I also used a cloths pin to keep the hose in the jar. I'ts low tech, but it works great.<br>
Old 12-19-2002, 03:52 PM
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Re:Flush your brake lines?

One of the things you need to remember about brake fluid is that it is hydroscopic - it attracts water which when combined with steel = rust and corrosion. I do it at every brake job but not in between.<br>Bob
Old 12-19-2002, 05:49 PM
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Re:Flush your brake lines?

<br>Brake flush is recommended every 2 years or 30,000 miles by many manufatures. They should all be recommending the service. Bleed brakes untill clear fluid is present at each wheel.<br><br>I also flush the Transmission, Transfer case Drian &amp; fill, Power Sterring flush &amp; coolant change every 12,000 miles.
Old 12-20-2002, 07:06 AM
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Re:Flush your brake lines?

I thought I was the only one that did all of this. Guess I'm not alone afterall.
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