brake fluid flush?

[stevensolds]

hi all, got coupons in the mail from my olds dealer for a Brake Fluid flush for $90.00. i noticed my brake fluid is very dark, almost black and it has been taking a lot more pressure to stop lately, even with new brake pads and rotors. i just thought thats the way the 95 is because the 97 had bigger brakes i believe.

[Aurora40]

new brake fluid is a good idea if it's brown or black. It may not make any difference in the pedal pressure required unless you have some air in the lines which a flush should purge. It's not hard to do yourself though if you want to save some money.

[stevensolds]

im not good with any mechanical stuff at all, and im afraid i may break something. it is black. what would be the benefits then?

[erw38]

I gotta do the brake fluid flush too.......I'm gonna try a local shop but I will call and get a price from the local stealership.

[stevensolds]

what are the benefits??

[erw38]

I believe fresh brake fluid will help the bake system by rejuvinating(sp?) the whole thing. New fluid won't brake down like the old fluid and cause a spongey pedal (I can't spell tonight). New fluid gives the pedal a firmer feel and I believe will actually help the brake pad grip the rotor. Therefore, you will not have to apply the brakes with so much force.............the fluid will do it for you with just a tap on the pedal.

*edit*

it also takes out the moisture that has developed inside the system over the years (from changing pads to uncapping the master cylinder) and help prevent the system from rusting out (big $$$$$).

That is how it was all explained to me. Feel free to let me have it.

[Aurora40]

GM says there is no benefit. They claim it's a lifetime fluid. But I think it can't hurt. Like anything, it's preventive maintenance. The fluid does absorb water over time. This I'm sure compromises it's abilities, and will lower the boiling point.

When you brake, a lot of heat goes into the fluid. If it begins to boil, you'll lose the ability to effectively use the brakes. I doubt this is likely to happen in daily driving, but it isn't impossible

Also, I'd imagine water in the fluid can begin to deteriorate the brake system. Much of it is plastic and rubber. Water in oil will make it acidic. I don't know if that happens with brake fluid though as it isn't exposed to combustion by-products.

I think the main benefit is peace of mind and knowing the fluid is now performing the best it ever will. You may not notice any real difference in feel and I seriously doubt you'll notice any difference in stopping distance. The most noticeable thing is that the reservoir will now be filled with clean, clear fluid.

I for one would change it if it were black.

[stevensolds]

scheduled it for tuesday. total cost will be 89.95. add 23 more dollars and 11 cents and we are at $4000 on the button ive put into this thing over 4 months

[Isnibs]

stevensolds

This may perk you up. A report dated 09/06/96 from theautochannel.

In addition to being a Consumer's Digest "Best Buy" the Aurora was
recently designated as a "Collectible Car of the Future" by the
National Automotive History Collection. It was selected out of a list
of twenty-three vehicle candidates.

[stevensolds]

wow, thats even more reason to keep it. i am going to hold on to this 95. thanks, but it woulndt surprise me seeing that it is 10 years old already and everytime i go into a mall parking lot it looks better than half the cars that are there.

[miklar]

I agree stevensolds! I've had my '95 since it was new and it has turned out to be the best car I've ever owned. You're so right about looking around in a big parking lot and seeing that, even at almost 10 years old, it still looks better than half the cars around it.

[dred98]

Only half ?
I've usually got the best looking car in the whole parking lot. ;D

Unless I'm visiting the dealer of course

[scottydl]

Aurora40 said:

It's not hard to do yourself though if you want to save some money.

Hey, I like the sound of that. Is there a simple procedure that can be posted here?

[Aurora40]

scottydl said:

Hey, I like the sound of that. Is there a simple procedure that can be posted here?

It's like bleeding your brakes. Take off the cap on the brake fluid reservoir, pull a wheel, and pump the fluid through the caliper bleeder screw. Make sure to add clean so you don't introduce air into the master cylinder. I believe you are supposed to start at the wheel closest to the master cylinder and work bacK? Or the opposite? Someone will know.

You can also suck out some of the dirty stuff from the reservoir if that would be faster for you, like if you were using the brake pedal to pump it out.

[erw38]

for scotty -

popularmechanics.com/automotive/sub_care_sat/1999/1/brake_system_flush/

for steven -

www.csaa.com/global/faqdetail/0,1397,1004010401%257C226,00.html

[stevensolds]

yeah wow, not something i wanna be thinking about when im going 100mph, not having any brakes...

[alijonny]

now this is what ive heard form a cadillac tech recently(one of the best-top 3% in the country for 12 years) he says that you may need to hook up a techII and make sue the ABS setup is also bled otherwise if you dont, you will introduce air into the system (especially into the ABS area). this doesnt cause a problem until you hit your brakes and the ABS locks in-then you lose all pedal due to nasty brake fluid and an extra helping of trapped air. please correct me if i am wrong, i am still learning about these cars and i need to do this in the near future also. i dont know in what cars this is necessary, but i would think the aurora might be involved. let me know what you guys think. peace!

[stevensolds]

i had mine changed 2 months ago. it is SO much better. takes barely any pedal pressure, and it stops. i dont have the autobahn iether, so for it to be a big improvement on the smaller brakes, everyone here should do it every 2 or 3 years. its only 90 bucks US