308 Brake Fluid Change for Dummies

Dom, nice job and pictures. The only thing I would recommend, especially if you haven't had the fluid changed for a while, is to invest a couple of dollars in a six sided box wrench or flare nut wrench so you have less chance of stripping the bleed nipple if it is stuck. I learned that many years ago the hard way.

 

I did clean wheels, inside AND out! GREAT step by step essay on the brake fluid change, thank you so much!!
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Dom,

Thanks for this great post. I found it most useful. I purchased the Motive Power Bleeder last week and swung by the local auto supply store to pick up the Valvoline Synthetic Brake Fluid this morning. With the car up on the lift and the power bleeder attached, it took me less than 30 minutes to bleed te entire system. I think this may have been the first time the system has ever been bled as the fluid was really dark with lots of little nasty bits in the fluid. I always appreciate the technical write ups with lots of high quality pictures. It makes the job so much less intimidating.

Thanks again, Joe

 

I've tried a couple of the vacuum manual pump bleeders on my Diablo. The one shown in the write up and another larger unit. I didn't have any luck with them at all. I found that they couldn't pull enough fluid out just by pumping alone, and I still had to pump the brake pedal. I threw both of them out and installed speed bleeders. Worked great.

 

Your ignition (not motor) has to be On, and yes you still have to pump the brake pedal enough times to activate the ABS pump...to do a good brake bleed in any modern vehicle...even when using the Motive power bleeder (a pusher, not a puller).

 

Excellent point! Anything less than an a perfect fitting 6 sided wrench is a recipe for disaster when you're dealing with a tiny little bleed screw. If they haven't been done they are quite likely to have welded themselves in place! Been there - done that and burned the t-shirt!