Anyone Use Brake Fluid Test Strips? - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

vstech · #16 05-15-2011, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Army

Oh yes don't leave them out in the cold...

I don't think they mind the cold much, but getting wet and dirty is bad for them.

Orv · #17 05-15-2011, 08:07 PM

I think the strips are mostly a gimmick for the Jiffy Lube shops. They can bring back the strip to show a customer "scientifically" how grotty their brake fluid is.

Stretch · #18 05-16-2011, 03:12 AM

I forgot to say brake fluid moisture is checked as standard during the yearly (government) checks in Germany and the Netherlands - I think they do it too in the UK as well. I don't think they use bits of paper anymore though. They probably have some overly priced scientifically approved space age probe thingy... that costs the price of a small house every year to calibrate... that's progress in case you didn't know.

whunter · #19 05-16-2011, 08:17 AM

SAE brake fluid test
http://www.google.com/search?q=brake+fluid+test&rls=com.microsoft:en-us&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&startIndex=&startPage=1&rlz=#hl=en&sugexp=ldymls&pq=brake%20fluid%20test&xhr=t&q=sae+brake+fluid+test&cp=4&qe=c2FlIGJyYWtlIGZsdWlkIHRlc3Q&qesig=6M2pDHJNyF6g3YzFLsNmBw&pkc=AFgZ2tmv8iwKTK2zXN30vLEZxABj84z-spIcgCrwOGOzb0KXsJBjhI6gwe_a59s-Q4hofXslZ567465U6n-DWQK2kJ5Gpg7A5w&pf=p&sclient=psy&rls=com.microsoft:en-us&source=hp&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=sae+brake+fluid+test&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&fp=7943f865cd6ba416

If you flush the Brake system every two years as MB requires = Brake fluid testing is worthless.

Brake flush every two years?! U'r kidding right?
Brake flush every two years?! U'r kidding right?

Why should I flush my brake fluid every year, you ask?
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/38856-why-should-i-flush-my-brake-fluid-every-year-you-ask.html#post220599

Testing Brake Fluid With Your DMM
http://workshop.search-autoparts.com/_Tech-Tip-Testing-Brake-Fluid-With-Your-DMM-Updated-42009/blog/209152/31710.html

warmblood58 · #20 05-16-2011, 12:31 PM

FWIW, I flush every two years, brake fluid is cheap, components are expensive - my two cents -

vstech · #21 05-16-2011, 09:07 PM

... I made the mistake of flushing the fluid in my SD... with my brake pedal... it's now needing a master cylinder. won't hold brake at a stop light...
be sure and use a power bleeder on old master cylinders. pedal method will kill the seals on it and require replacement of an otherwise good MC...

Stretch · #22 05-17-2011, 03:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

... I made the mistake of flushing the fluid in my SD... with my brake pedal... it's now needing a master cylinder. won't hold brake at a stop light...
be sure and use a power bleeder on old master cylinders. pedal method will kill the seals on it and require replacement of an otherwise good MC...

That's a shame - the FSM states that you should pump the pedal a few times... are you sure the master cylinder is shot and not just full of a stubborn bit of air? (You probably are - I'll shut up)

sokoloff · #23 05-17-2011, 09:41 AM

When pumping the pedal, you shouldn't go beyond the normal pedal position. That causes the master cylinder to go beyond the "used" area and onto the often times corroded part. That's what damages the seals. Some folks put a brick or a block of wood under the pedal to make sure they don't depress it more than normal.

leathermang · #24 05-17-2011, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sokoloff

When pumping the pedal, you shouldn't go beyond the normal pedal position. That causes the master cylinder to go beyond the "used" area and onto the often times corroded part. That's what damages the seals. Some folks put a brick or a block of wood under the pedal to make sure they don't depress it more than normal.

Exactly......and I have written about how to avoid this in a thread lately....I think the one where the woman was doing the work on her brakes...
The responsibility is on the person down at the bleeder valve...
If that person just lets out a small amount and closes the bleeder...then the person or machine pressing the brake pedal has no way to go too far with the travel.... It takes more squirts.....but keeps this standard procedure from causing one to have to replace the MC... and start all over in terms of bleeding the brakes of air....

Stretch · #25 05-17-2011, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leathermang

Exactly......and I have written about how to avoid this in a thread lately....I think the one where the woman was doing the work on her brakes...
The responsibility is on the person down at the bleeder valve...
If that person just lets out a small amount and closes the bleeder...then the person or machine pressing the brake pedal has no way to go too far with the travel.... It takes more squirts.....but keeps this standard procedure from causing one to have to replace the MC... and start all over in terms of bleeding the brakes of air....

The woman - the woman? You make it sound like there's only one!

leathermang · #26 05-17-2011, 10:37 AM

Name the second one !

Stretch · #27 05-17-2011, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leathermang

Name the second one !

Drezel and Mistress count I think! But there's a whole world outside the confines of the forum. I know we both spend a lot of time here - but seriously our arm chair mechanics have to stop at sometime or other... perhaps we're missing out?

leathermang · #28 05-17-2011, 01:00 PM

Were they working on their brakes anytime lately ?

Stretch · #29 05-17-2011, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leathermang

Were they working on their brakes anytime lately ?

How would I know that?

whunter · #30 05-17-2011, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

... I made the mistake of flushing the fluid in my SD... with my brake pedal... it's now needing a master cylinder. won't hold brake at a stop light...
be sure and use a power bleeder on old master cylinders. pedal method will kill the seals on it and require replacement of an otherwise good MC...

If that killed it = it was bad and needed replacement..

Generally it will only fail if the PO did not follow the MB flush schedule.

I prefer finding a damaged master during flushing, my family's lives are worth more than any master cylinder..

In an emergency/panic stop you over stroke the master cylinder = the worst possible time for it to fail.

Power bleeders are nice, but you should never fear pumping the brake pedal full stroke.