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Old 04-18-2005, 06:33 PM   #1
rumatt
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Help: questions about replacing brake fluid

I need to replace my brake fluid soon (like tonight). I've read all the DIY's I can find, but have the following questions.

1) Any suggestions on where to find a tube to put on the bleeder nipple ?

2) Will it be obvious when the old fluid is done, and the new fluid starts coming out? I'm ended up buying Motul 600 from Dave Zeckhausen.

3) I'll be using the "helper pumps the brakes" method. Any guess how many pumps are needed? Obviously it depends, but are we talking 10, or 100?


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Old 04-18-2005, 06:45 PM   #2
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1) Home Depot or Lowes
2) It should be pretty obvious, the Motul 600 is red right?
3) hmm... not sure, I have a pressure bleeder
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Old 04-18-2005, 06:49 PM   #3
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Thanks ayn.

> 1) Home Depot or Lowes

Cool. I guess they sell generic clear tubing? What diameter are we talking about? I guess I could go home first, look at the brakes, then go find something to fit.

> 2) It should be pretty obvious, the Motul 600 is red right?

Maybe. Didn't open the bottle yet.
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Old 04-18-2005, 06:54 PM   #4
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It'll be obvious.

The fluid in there looks like urine, after a night of hard drug use and binge drinking. The motul will be only slightly yellow.
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Old 04-18-2005, 06:56 PM   #5
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Thanks Nick.

I'll use hard drugs and binge drink tonight, and compare to the old fluid as well.
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Old 04-18-2005, 06:59 PM   #6
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Awesome. Just remember that you need to moderate it enough that you'll be able to tell the difference tomrorow evening.
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Old 04-18-2005, 06:59 PM   #7
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1/4 inch sound about right?
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Old 04-18-2005, 07:02 PM   #8
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1/4" ID (inside diamater) should be about right.

You do realize that Motul 600 is EXTREMELY hydroscopic, and needs to be changed more often than other fluids?

Fine if you are into tracking and plan to flush several times per year, not so great for a street car.

For a primarily street car (for those who care) I recommend Castrol GT LMA fluid. Works well and one of the least hydroscopic fluids.
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Old 04-18-2005, 07:05 PM   #9
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Cool. One more dumb question.

I'm putting on new pads as well. Would you swap the pads before, or after, the bleeding?
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Old 04-18-2005, 07:07 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Pinecone
Fine if you are into tracking and plan to flush several times per year, not so great for a street car.
Yeah, I went round and round, and Dave Z. convinced me to go with Motul and eliminate boiled fluid as a source of concern. The E30 brakes are tiny, and I have no idea how well I'll manage them (my first track session).

It could be major overkill, but I don't know enough to decide how much is "enough". If I have to replace it again soon after, so be it.
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