I've tried to use my MityVac to bleed my brakes a few times and was never able to get all the air out. I use a system called EZ Bleed that uses pressure instead of vacuum. It has a cap that screws on the top of the resevoir and an air hose that runs to a tire via a small plastic bottle. Just attach a hose to the caliper bleed nipples and bleed away. I don't remember where I bought it but it makes my brake fluid changes easy 15-20 minute jobs. It's a great system and as I recall only cost about $15-20.

I understand very well the lecture on the physics
 

of brake fluids. In reality, most drivers have gome more than 2-yrs without changing the fluid and they're driving fine, safely. This is an item that's not even part of the general motor vehicle inspection in the US. Even with my understanding of the physics, the fluid in my 89 Nissan wasn't changed until a couple of years ago when I had to replace the master cylinder - brake fade was inexistent prior to that and I braked hard, just not continosly hard enough to cause boiling. In normal everyday commute, the brake fluid is perfectly OK after 2 yrs. I don't see any reason to replace it. MB recommends to do it every 2 yrs but it's really your choice. If you race or do a lot of towing or 4-wheeling, or you live in the snow belt, or you do things that require the BAS, ESP to be activated, maybe every 2-yrs.

Old fogie antics...(no offence) people who don't know cars
 

I work in a combination Mechanical/Bodyshop. Alot of our clients have been with us for 30-40 years, and the age is taking it toll on their cars. I've seen all too often an old man comes in and says his brakes don't work. He drives a 2006 Ford contour. the man had put MANY MANY miles and his pads wore out, but before taking it to a shop to have them look at his brakes, he decides that "hey, it's a new car, the pads can't be worn out already, must need brake fluid. " so he goes to the store and buys what he thinks is brake fluid. in reality, it's 10W30 motor oil. DUH.
you can pretty well guess what happens next. calipers, hoses, ABS and master cylinder. REPLACED If I remember correctly, the total bill came to just under $3000 for parts and $500 labour. one of many horror stories.. :)

I change mine every spring because thats what MB calls for and I am very picky. It gives me a chance to really take a look at whats going on under the car, and after 6+ months in winter storage that seems like a good idea.

I had an old english sports car which was seldom driven and stored winters. I was young and foolish (and poor) so never changed the fluid. The brakes worked great until one of the brake lines let go. It was rusted on both the outside AND inside. An extreme example perhaps but I'd rather flush ever couple of years then take the risk.

I thought MB changes the fluid every other year not once a year?

From the CD Manuals for W126
 

The maintenance schedule indicates yearly brake fluid change...in the spring.

Once a year on older cars like the 123 era, every two years on the newer cars.

Len

amazing
 

well this is amazing.
My car is 24 years old and its brake fluid has never been touched or changed.

right now there are poor guys who are reading this thread and believing it and they are breaking off nipples as we speak....and there are other guys who are reading this thread who took your advise and changed the fluid.. now there pulling up to red lights and hitting the pedal and instead of the old trusty brake fluid being down there at the caliper there is a nice fat air bubble.

In the last 40 years I have learned a few things about brakes.
1. Use a large C clamp when you change your brakes....

2. Use a chicken baister and suck some fluid out....making room for your new fluid.

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Apparently, there are still some gaps in your learnin'. A C-clamp is just about useless when dealing with MB type fixed calipers.

If you changed the brake fluid periodically as recommended by the manufacturer it's very unlikely you'll break off a bleed nipple. Try to crack one open after 24 years then that's a whole different story.

change
 

if you change your calipers and master cylinders when they need to be changed you dont have to worry about changing the brake fluid...

The haynes manual will tells you how to use a C clamp on a fixed caliper...
just look in yours and that is how they tell you to do the brake job...

the real trick to mercedes brakes is getting those stupid pins out...

change and ABS
 

not sure if you guys just talk about changing on older cars without ABS, but some cars, like my wife's huyndai (or how u spell crap) has to be wented with a speacial tool of some kind when you change breakfluid...

Does anybody know if the same deal is for my W202 ??? And my MB book says every 2nd year, not every year.. But it also says i should change AC fluid every 4th year...

... and if you change your engine when it needs to be changed you don't have to worry about changing your oil either. :D

BTW, my W123 haynes manual does not say anything about using a c-clamp for the brakes. I very much doubt that you can fit a c-clamp in these calipers.