Changing brake fluid

Grit dog said:

^Not discounting the validity of a proper brake flush btw and sometimes it’s necessary.
But in normal scenarios, it’s not necessary if you just keep up with adding fresh fluid periodically.

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What a simple and GREAT idea. That's exactly what I am going to start doing at every oil change.
Thanks!

Can always use the gravity method over night. Pretty much hands free. Just make sure you don't let the reservoir get empty.

Camar068 said:

Can always use the gravity method over night. Pretty much hands free. Just make sure you don't let the reservoir get empty.

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That is my preferred method as well. I don't do it overnight though, just during the day so I can check on it in between other things.

texasmike said:

What a simple and GREAT idea. That's exactly what I am going to start doing at every oil change.
Thanks!

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For sure.
Iirc you’ve had that truck for a long time. If the fluid is super old, I’d just start changing out more frequently. It’ll mix and get “dirty” pretty quick. Like every tank of gas or so. No science to it really. Reservoir full of new fluid, once it’s brown again, replace.

Grit dog said:

For sure.
Iirc you’ve had that truck for a long time. If the fluid is super old, I’d just start changing out more frequently. It’ll mix and get “dirty” pretty quick. Like every tank of gas or so. No science to it really. Reservoir full of new fluid, once it’s brown again, replace.

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I may start doing this on my Suburban if/when it comes back from the shop. It got a pretty solid front brake system flush when I did the whole front brake replace last year, but the rear system did not get touched at that time and frankly I'm afraid to mess with it because the version of 14 bolt rear axle that requires pulling the axle shafts to get the drums off. Its really not a bad idea for any of the vehicles.

YakkoWarner said:

I may start doing this on my Suburban if/when it comes back from the shop. It got a pretty solid front brake system flush when I did the whole front brake replace last year, but the rear system did not get touched at that time and frankly I'm afraid to mess with it because the version of 14 bolt rear axle that requires pulling the axle shafts to get the drums off. Its really not a bad idea for any of the vehicles.

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Yeah idk, it’s obviously not the “best” most complete method of brake flush but IMO pretty good and certainly better than staring at it getting older by the year.
I tend to do a “lazy man’s flush” on many components. As much as the OCD side of me grumbles about it, the fact of the matter is, I have a pile of vehicles and toys and tools. Probably need both hands and both feet to count the number of oil changes or services I should do annually at a minimum.
That combined with precious little free time necessitates some cheating or as I call it innovation.
Power steering is another good one and transmission services. Both of these components can get fluid replacements pretty effectively by the lazy man’s flush method.