The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Brake System Flush

What is the best way to flush the brake system? Just open the brake bleed fitting and pump the brakes and do it for all the wheels? Now i know why no one did it every year? Is this the correct way? The best way?

It's the easiest way. I use a suction gun to empty the master cylinder, refill with clean fluid and bleed until all the bad stuff is gone. I bought a piece of 3/16" clear plastic tubing at the hardware store, long enough to make a loop and reach the floor. One end on the bleeder screw, the other in a clear 2 liter pop bottle. Put top of the loop above the wheel cylinder. Makes it easy to watch for air bubbles and contamination. And be sure not to let the master cylinder run dry.

When I was first in the business the shop I was at still had a fill bottle. It was a glass bottle with a valve and an adapter for the m/c that screwed on the m/c and kept it full. It wasn't used because we no longer did any work on vehicles with small master cylinders.

Most parts shops have a one-way bleeder set-up, usually for only a few dollars. (must be cheap 'cause I bought one!) It's simply a hose with a one way valve on the end and, sometimes, a screwtop with a magnet to attach to the backing plate. You supply the jar.
Suck out the old fluid from the m/c.. A turkey baster works, but can be messy. refill with new. You can pop a bleeder and pump the brakes until clean fluid comes through. Will take a while. and DON'T FORGET to check the m/c level every once in a while.