PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum - View Single Post - Why should I flush my brake fluid every year, you ask?

dabenz · #30 11-03-2002, 01:25 PM

Peter, a few decades ago somebody said that there isn't an American solution to every issue. We have the most vehicles, but not all of them. Not bleeding brakes every year is like filling engine oil to the full line on the dipstick.

Here's some tips for vacuum brake bleeding: I use a glass turkey baster to suck out old fluid from reservoir and replace with new before starting. Then tie the brake pedal back (toward the seat). I built a dump jar from a peanut butter jar and three fittings. Two fittings are 3/8in male threaded on one end and barbed on the other. The third is 3/8in female and barbed. Doesn't matter if nylon or brass, buy at a farm or home supply store. Drill two holes in the jar lid, silicone and screw the male fittings into the top of the lid. Screw the female onto one of the males (you might need washers to take up the slack). A small piece of tubing on the inner barb (enough to reach the bottom of the jar), a 1 1/2ft piece between the outer barb and the brake nipple, a 1 1/2ft piece of tubing between the empty barb that is open at the inside of the lid and your hand vacuum pump. Screw the jar on the lid, place it in an old coffee can, loosen the nipple, and pump away (If nothing happens by the fourth or fifth pump then pull the tubing off the nipple and clean out the nipple with a piece of wire or replace it. You don't want the jar to implode and hurt somebody, and this won't happen if you bleed yearly and put a rubber boot over the nipple when done). You only need to make sure you don't empty the car reservoir (start over) and to empty the dump jar before the level reaches the lid (you may get brake fluid in your vacuum pump). The coffee can is dual purpose: helps keep the dump jar upright and provides a place to store the dump jar and tubing. Once you get the hang of it a good job should cost a quart of brake fluid and and hour of time including cleanup. Compare that to the cost of brake parts and time or an accident on the road. Ditto DOT 4 being the minimum spec on the fluid.