Changing brake fluid

[James_G]

Next on my list of jobs to do is to change the brake fluid on my S2, as whatever is in there must be at least a few years old.

Since I therefore want to flush out all the old stuff, how much brake fluid will I need to do the job? Will 1 litre cover it does anybody know?

Oh, and I was going to go for Castrol Response Super after reading through the various posts, SRF not needed just yet.

Thanks.

 

[Diver944]

According to my handbook the entire system holds 200ml. I always use a new 1 litre bottle when changing mine and after flushing through far too much of the new stuff I still have half a litre left.

 

[James_G]

Thanks for that Paul, and for your tip on the sunroof from another thread, which I shall try when the weather warms up a bit.

 

[zcacogp]

A litre will do you easily, and have some left over. (Note - chuck any spare, as if left in a bottle that has been opened, it will be useless after a couple of months.)

Doing the job WELL (i.e. no air left in anywhere) with run-of-the-mill fluid is a much better bet than doing the job badly with expensive fluid. Bear in mind that each caliper has two bleed nipples, and the job can take a while.

Buying an easy-bleed kit saves whole worlds of aggro and tears. Trust me ... I've been there ...


Oli.

 

[James_G]

Thanks Oli, I have been buoyed by my weekend success with changing all the ARB bushes and installing the KLA Industries triangulation pieces, after you mentioned them previously.

I will be checking the nipples this week, before attempting at the weekend.

 

[zcacogp]

ORIGINAL: James_G
I will be checking the nipples this week

Oooooh - there are so many comments I could make here, and would tempt an instant ban if I were to do so!

Good point tho' - check the nipples as they *can* be seized. Usual rules apply - pentrant spray, in goodly quantities, over a period of time before doing the job, if they are. Take care doing 'em up as well - the calipers are cast alumium, and stripping threads in them can't be that difficult.

If you can do the ARB bushes and fit those triangulation wotsits then changing the brake fluid is of similar level of difficulty. You'll be fine.

One thing to think about while you are in brake-tinkering mode ... have a good look at the calipers and see how the plates are. If they are lifting then it may be worth tackling them at the same time - you'll need to bleed the brakes if you remove the calipers to tackle brake caliper lift ...


Oli.