C5 Hardtop

I need to change brake fluid in an 04 Z06 to something like motul. I was quoted 140 bucks. If I can do this myself, that would be great. I don't think the old school way of pumping the pedal and bleeding would be efficient.
How can I change fluid? Is there some vacuume tool? I bought a mightyvac vaccume guage/pump unit and it sucked (no pun entended). There wasn't enough vacuum and or what vacuum there was got sucked out the crack from the bleeder not being tight.

Joel

davidfarmer

yes, the old fashioned way works just fine. However, I suggest you pull the excess fluid out of the resevoir first (with a syringe or turkey baister) to keep from mixing and more than you have to.

If you do this, it will only take a few bottles of fluid to completely flush your system.

C5 Hardtop

Thanks for the response.
lets say I start with the caliper that is the farthest away. How will I know when to stop bleeding? In other words, how will I know when the old fluid is flushed out of that line?

Joel

John Shiels

I did mine by turkey baster as Dave said. I opened all the bleeders with a tube draining into cups. It may take 3-4 hours but it works. Just don't let the master go dry. Castrol SRF is expensive but worth every dime.

Mark VerMurlen

I use the "pump the pedal" method. My daughter pumps the pedal and I work the wrench. It works great, but I should really get some Speed Bleeders. To solve the problem of knowing when the old fluid is done, I switched to ATE Super Blue, which is blue colored. So its easy to see the color change and know the old fluid is gone. And yes, the turkey baster method of removing as much fluid from the master cylinder as you can helps too.

- Mark

JasonFRC

We have a tool at work to bleed brakes manufactured by VACULA. http://www3.myerstiresupply.com/myer...rt_id=port0000
We have a smaller model, I believe it was about $150.

It makes a messy two-person job quick and easy.

The tool uses a bracket to secure the a one liter bottle of new fluid to the top of the master cylinder resevoir. Kinda works like those leave-your-cat-home-from-vacation water feeders.

The suction tool attaches to the caliper bleeder screws one at a time, where it sucks the old fluid out. This process is continued until clean fluid is seen coming from the bleeder.

It works so well, I've never bled brakes the old way again!

Red5

Does anyone have a proceedural on changing the brake fluid?

rbeckham

Speed bleeders make the "old fashioned way" of bleeding or flushing easy and pretty quick, and a one-man job. Start with the RR corner, then go LR RF LF. If you are switching fluids as from or to Super Blue, it's easy to see when it runs clear. Otherwise, I just plan on using an extra half liter of fluid over the system capacity to make sure I have completely purged the system (and a little more). Cheap insurance.

The main thing to worry about is to never let the master run dry.

PS - a good bleeding accessory (especially at the track) is the plastic bottled water bottles with the pull up "sports cap." Knock the pull-up piece out with a punch and a bleeder hose will friction fit into this small hole to use as a catcher. It's not really necessary with speed bleeders (which prevent back flow of air into the caliper) but being compulsive about it, I always try to make sure the end of the hose is submerged in fluid in order to avoid any possibility of air being sucked back. Cheers, Robert

C5 Hardtop

I use the mallet bleeder bottle. Its nice and handy :D

Joel

rbeckham

My point was that the water bottle is nice, handy, and free.

RandyVettes

Speed Bleeders and Castrol SRF. Yea Baby !

:party:

Bill Dearborn

I have the smaller Vacula without the bottle to fill the reservoir. It works great. It is so fast that I have to very alert to keep from draining the Master Cylinder. I haven't pumped a brake pedal to bleed brakes in over 10 years now.
Bill

h rocks

Jason, catchy moniker, the "vacula". SnapOn has something similar that works with shop air, as does Griot's. I think I paid ~$200 and it works like a charm every time. They also have a "bicycle pump" type that would work well at the track, or if you don't have a compressor. It's about $50 less. IMO, these are worth every penny. For some strange reason, wives, girlfriends would rather pump you in the car, than pump a brake pedal. ;)(Not a bad deal unless your brake pedal goes to the floor at the end of a long straight!)

silverz06vette

Found this one:
http://www.z06vette.com/forums/showt...ht=brake+bleed

C5 Hardtop

Thanks for the link. I forgot about the ABS system. The instructions say to bleed the FL first. I haven't heard of that before. Why do they suggest that?

Joel

silverz06vette

Look again my friend:

Note the bleed order is RR, LF, LR and RF on 01 and newer vettes.

y5e06

I've completely flushed brake fluid over a dozen times using my mightyvac. I didn't have any major issues. the old school method is the pain in the butt method if you ask me. I mocked up a seperate resevoir for the vacuum pump so the fluid went into a 1qrt glass jar instead of the little plastic cup. Also, if you get leaking past the bleeder screw just use some bearing/axle grease around the base of the bleeder screw. It will seal off the air and allow nice vacuum. easy 1-man job.

C5 Hardtop

Thanks for the tip!

AZGASSER

I ordered the Speedbleeders from Yahoo shopping for $21 and change for all 4 delivered. Next to the old fashioned way, this is the cheapest/easiest way to go.

Richin Chicago

I agree. Easy and can be used no matter where you are.