I just bought a MityVac vacuum brake bleeder so I can change the brake fluid by myself. Are there any tricks to doing the change? Do I have to worry about the ABS? How about the bleeder valve on the master cylinder?
Thanks,
Fred

 

Those bleeder valves on the master cylinder are for bleeding the master cylinder itself.

I did this before and the way to do it is the following:

Rear right, rear left, front right, front left.

I just used the $3 autozone tool and a free friend to pump the brake pedal.


Mityvac rules!

 

When you do, the ABS light will come on unless you shuttle the ABS motors according to the manual. The light went out on mine after about a day even though I did it like madwolf said (old fashioned way)

Let the fluid in the resevoir get real low before you add new fluid the first time so the old is flushed completely.

 

Bleeder screws on the MC? Are you sure you aren't talking about the bleeders on the ABS modulator? Mity Vacs work well-although if air leaks around the bleeder screw threads you'll need to apply a heavy grease to the outside to seal it.

 

How would you bleed them if you wanted to just change the brake lines to steel braided ones?, wouldn't you have to take all the brake fluid out completely in order to change to new lines, and risk getting air into the entire system.

 

You just have to be quick and do one line at a time. Leave the cap on the MC to slow down leakage. You'll have to top it off ocasionally too if you're slow-a partner helps here. It also helps to put one thumb over the open line while you're manipulating the hose. You will leak brake fluid-but it won't drain out as fast as you think.

 

Thanks for all the info. What company is a good source for the stainless braided lines? Seems like a good idea if I'm flushing the system.

Fred

 

I used Earl's. There was a nice difference between them and old rubber oem hoses. Russel also makes some but I don't think they have the 5th line nor is their quality on par with earl's. Jeg's has them for a reasonable price.