I did my brake flush this weekend and here's how I did it. Thanks to everyone's post. I would have never been able to do it without the help from this site. I bought a brake bleeder from Autozone for $29 that was designed to be attached to the bleeder but decided not to use it (I would have attached the pics but I can only attach 10 files at a time). I just had the wife pump the brakes for me instead. I got the brake fluid from my dealer (Pic 1) for $19 (.75 liter and we used it all).
Step 1: I used a turkey baster to remove old brake fluid from master cylinder (Pic 2).
Step 2: Remove cap and filter from master cylinder (Pic 3).
Step 3: Remove old fluid (Pic 4). Fill to the max with new fluid.
Step 4: Jack up the car and remove tire. I started from the farthest to the closest tire from the master cylinder.
Step 5: Locate the bleeder and remove rubber cap (Pic 5 and 6 - rear, Pic 8 and 9 - front).
Step 6: With an adjustable wrench, loosen the bleeder until brake fluid starts to leak ( a couple of turns).
Step 7: Pump the brake pedal and collect old fluid (Pic 7 - rear, Pic 10 - front). Repeat until new fluid comes out. I couldn't tell with mine so we just pumped the brakes 10-20 times for the rear brakes (less for the front) just to be sure. Make sure to check the master cylinder often to make sure you have enough fluid (we checked and filled up every 10 pumps).
Step 8: With an adjustable wrench, tighten the bleeder and wipe any brake fluid excess.
Step 9: Cover the bleeder with the rubber cap.
Step 10: Put the tire back on.
Nicely done man. Good write-up too. Have you noticed any change in brake performance as a result? I plan to do mine this Spring. I bought a power bleeder to do it.
I didn't feel any difference but that's a good thing 'cause I was afraid I'd screw it up. I went for a drive around the block, tried to do slow breaking a few times then I slammed it hard once just to make sure I still have the power if and when I need it. Here's the pics of the bleeder I got from Autozone which I'll probably return. I also started to follow a DIY pressure bleeder that was posted here but that's when I saw the Autozone item. The parts for the DIY was easy enough to find at Ace Hardware, Home Depot and Autozone. Good luck with yours.
Well done.
A couple of points.
Use a proper 6 or 12point spanner for the bleeder as they sieze up and may round off with an adj spanner.
If there is black crud in the bottom of master cyl try to get it out before bleeding as it can get washed down to the Caliper seals.
Sorry, you're right. Repeat steps 4-6 for each tire. If you only bleed one line, the other three lines will still have the old fluid even though your master cylinder is full of new fluid. Good catch.
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