How-to: brake fluid replacement

[honkerman]

If your brake fluid is a dark color, the front brake lever feels mushy, or you've not changed the fluid in a couple of years, you should do so. It's pretty easy. The video at the following link is only for the primary master cylinder and does not address the combined braking system. You will need some plastic tubing, a receptacle for the old fluid (or a brake bleed kit from an auto parts store), a Philips head screwdriver, an 8mm combination wrench, some DOT3 or DOT4 brake fluid, and some cloths. I recommend DOT4 fluid if you do a lot of hills and stop and start. It has a higher boiling point and may last a bit longer.

I hope this helps.

http://scootinfool.blogspot.com/2016/04 ... g-bad.html

[gn2]

Just because the fluid is dark in colour is no reason to change it.
Change should only be done at two yearly intervals.
Only use Dot4 and don't get any on the plastics.

[honkerman]

Just because the fluid is dark in colour is no reason to change it.
Change should only be done at two yearly intervals.
Only use Dot4 and don't get any on the plastics.

Actually, dark color indicates that the fluid has been cooked. My brakes were feeling mushy because of it. The brake pressure is back where it should be.

[honkerman]

Just because the fluid is dark in colour is no reason to change it.
Change should only be done at two yearly intervals.
Only use Dot4 and don't get any on the plastics.

Actually, dark color indicates that the fluid has been cooked. My brakes were feeling mushy because of it. The brake pressure is back where it should be.

Or the color indicates the fluid is perhaps inundated with water and other contaminants. Extreme discoloration is a good Indication that it is time to change the fluid, and will usually take a year or two to occur. In all likelihood, the fluid in my brake reservoir was the original fluid from the factory in 2013, so it was over two years old (which explains the color).

[Robbie]

As well as the main front system, I also changed the fluid in the combined master cylinder, but I also squeeze the lever to force the fluid through.

For anyone doing it, it's exactly the same process for the combined system, but the plastic cowl needs to come off to top the reservoir up. Oh, and obviously you pump the rear brake lever and use the other bleed nipple on the caliper!

[pxc-in-japan]

For anyone doing it, it's exactly the same process for the combined system, but the plastic cowl needs to come off to top the reservoir up. Oh, and obviously you pump the rear brake lever and use the other bleed nipple on the caliper!
........................................................

Thanks.
I do not have the manual yet, so I do not know the location of the combi master cylinder.
Do you have a pic or a link to one, to show which plastic cowl needs to be removed?
Or a pic of the combi master cylinder and a little of the surrounding area would be good.
Or just a description of where it is and which screws / trim fasteners or pins need to be removed?

Thanks again.

[homie]

I hate it because it will knock a buzzard off a **** wagon if it get away from you. Eat the paint of any vehicle over night. It's a dam paint stripper substitute if you need any. Wear your safety goggles (oh you have yours on good) have a hose handy but be prepared to re-coat your driveway anyway. One drop on that seat and you are buying a new one Oops too late I saw it run down the back of the reservoir. Better call the city to send out hazmat to pickup the used or maybe kill some grass and weeds with it... forever!
Any one know why brake fluid has to be so dam caustic?

[homie]

4:07... tell me that's not your lawn mower

[pxc-in-japan]

I have found the location of the combi master cylinder.
Do you have a pic or a link to one, to show which plastic cowl / panel needs to be removed for access to it?
Or a pic of the combi master cylinder and a little of the surrounding area would be good.
Or just a description of which screws / trim fasteners or pins need to be removed?

Thanks.

[honkerman]

4:07... tell me that's not your lawn mower

Yep...that was my lawnmower. I've got an electric now too, but when the grass is short, I use the manual. The only emissions with that thing are from my heavy breathing.