Compressing front brake caliper piston...

[GraybeardAv]

By the time you've worn down the pads, the fluid has been heated repeatedly hundreds or thousands of times, perhaps over a period of years. Brake fluid is hydroscopic, meaning it absorbs water, and will eventually cause corrosion in the metal parts. Pushing it back upstream into the ABS and master cylinder is asking for problems.

Catch the fluid in a clear container, as above, and you'll see.

GB

[mark v]

You ever flush a brake system before, sounds like no?

Brake flud gets contaminated as soon as it comes out of the sealed bottle. The brake system is not sealed 100%. The caliper pistons push in and out and can bring in brake dust.

Try this.... crack your bleeder screw and get out some old fluid and put it in a clear glass.... now go get some new brake fluid and you will see the difference!

Originally Posted by kendallcrossman

WHAT?? do you mean by pushing nasty fluid back up the system ????
Is it not a sealed system and the fluid is in it anyway, and if you were not changing the break pads would the fluid not be in there anyway and not cause any problems

[newbie321]

Guys:

Thank you for your input!! I should have been more clear on how I did change my brake pads.
1) I disconnected the brake hose that goes from the brake hard line (tubes) into the
caliper.
2) I unscrewed the bleeder screw completely
3) I removed the worn out pads
4) I used "C" clamp and pushed the brake piston all the way back. While I was doing this fluid was coming out of the caliper and there was no backflow since this caliper was disconnected from the brakeline (see#1)
5) installed new pads
6) reconnected the brake lines to brake hoses
7) Re-bled that branch of the brake line.

The fluid was clear since I changed the entire hard brake line just over 6 months ago.
I agree that the fluid is "hydroscopic" and have another question:

--from reading above is the recommendation to change the brake fluid every time the pads are changes? I mean if you were to take the car to a shop, would the mechanic strongly recommend doing both?

Thanks,
newbie321

[mark v]

Doing step #1 will give you leaks. There are 2 crush washers that are designed to be used 1 time and then replaced.

Step #2 will do the job correctly with no issues of back feeding any fluid.

Some people say every 4 years and some say every 2 years. I do it every pad change or if the car sits and is not driven a lot I will do it every 2 years then.

Originally Posted by newbie321

Guys:

Thank you for your input!! I should have been more clear on how I did change my brake pads.
1) I disconnected the brake hose that goes from the brake hard line (tubes) into the
caliper.
2) I unscrewed the bleeder screw completely
3) I removed the worn out pads
4) I used "C" clamp and pushed the brake piston all the way back. While I was doing this fluid was coming out of the caliper and there was no backflow since this caliper was disconnected from the brakeline (see#1)
5) installed new pads
6) reconnected the brake lines to brake hoses
7) Re-bled that branch of the brake line.

The fluid was clear since I changed the entire hard brake line just over 6 months ago.
I agree that the fluid is "hydroscopic" and have another question:

--from reading above is the recommendation to change the brake fluid every time the pads are changes? I mean if you were to take the car to a shop, would the mechanic strongly recommend doing both?

Thanks,
newbie321

[GraybeardAv]

I've never changed brake fluid in any car I've owned, and have had very few leaks. I just don't push fluid back upstream any more. I usually buy very old cars with unknown prior maintenance. Had serious brake problem with the only car I ever bought new, a 1986 Mercury Sable.

rdr