Brake fluid/bleeding the brakes...

Topic: Brake fluid/bleeding the brakes... (Read 1503 times) previous topic - next topic

Brake fluid/bleeding the brakes...

December 23, 2006, 04:07:29 PM

Hi there!
Think it's time to change brake fluid in my T-bird and I'm not sure which fluid should I use. ATE has TYP 200 with 3-year replacement intervals but it's a DOT 5.1 brake fluid while T-bird needs DOT 3. The question is... can I use DOT 4 or DOT 5.1 in my T-bird?
The next question may sound kinda stupid, but... is it possible to bleed the brakes in my '87 T-bird with stock 14'' rims witout taking the front wheels off while beeding the brakes from the garage pot?
Thanks!

Brake fluid/bleeding the brakes...

Reply #1 – December 23, 2006, 04:39:08 PM

Use DOT 3 unless you want to flush the whole system, I beleve dot5 will mix with dot3 but dot 4 and 3 are not compatible?? or vice-versa its been a while since I read up on it

Scott

Brake fluid/bleeding the brakes...

Reply #2 – December 23, 2006, 05:41:14 PM

i use DOT3 HD stuff from ford. you can use DOT4 as it will mix with DOT3.
dont use DOT5.

Brake fluid/bleeding the brakes...

Reply #3 – December 25, 2006, 12:28:08 PM

Not sure if European Ford dealers have DOT3 HD, but I'll try ATE or Ferodo, they should have something like that in their offer.
What about bleeding the brakes from garage pot? Do I have to take off the front wheels?

Brake fluid/bleeding the brakes...

Reply #4 – December 25, 2006, 12:45:30 PM

Yes you have to take the wheels off....just makes things easier

Brake fluid/bleeding the brakes...

Reply #5 – December 25, 2006, 07:35:42 PM

Quote from: Chuck W;119999

Yes you have to take the wheels off....just makes things easier

I'm asking becouse in some cars you may end up with a cracked windshield if you get inside when it's suported on the jack stands.

Brake fluid/bleeding the brakes...

Reply #6 – January 23, 2007, 10:22:13 PM

If it has been awhile, I would bleed the whole system - front & rear. Moisture does accumulate and you should notice a significant improvement in your braking. I use a clear tube and jar to make sure the system is flushed.

Brake fluid/bleeding the brakes...

Reply #7 – January 24, 2007, 12:33:28 AM

what the hell is a garage pot?
do you mean the zerk fitting? or do you mean the master cylinder?

either way,, if you loosen your zerk fitting and fluid flows out nice and strong, i dont really see any reason to do what you are doing unless you have air.

its up to you though.

bleeding the whole system is gonna require a lot of fluidl like nearly two quarts for flushing/refilling. if you have clear brake fluid now,, then try to get something with a red die in it. when you start to see red fluid come out the other end at the calipers / wheel cylinders then its done and flushed.

if you insist on taking lines loose at the master cylinder, dont even attempt them without line wrenches. if your real good, you dont need them,, but it calles for an experienced hand to loosen them without line wrenches.

Brake fluid/bleeding the brakes...

Reply #8 – January 24, 2007, 12:35:18 AM

Quote from: Shevretti;120032

I'm asking becouse in some cars you may end up with a cracked windshield if you get inside when it's suported on the jack stands.

thats funny,, perhaps in a throw world of cheaper cars, thats probable.

Brake fluid/bleeding the brakes...

Reply #9 – January 24, 2007, 01:15:21 AM

Quote from: Shevretti;119800

Hi there!
Think it's time to change brake fluid in my T-bird and I'm not sure which fluid should I use. ATE has TYP 200 with 3-year replacement intervals but it's a DOT 5.1 brake fluid while T-bird needs DOT 3. The question is... can I use DOT 4 or DOT 5.1 in my T-bird?
The next question may sound kinda stupid, but... is it possible to bleed the brakes in my '87 T-bird with stock 14'' rims witout taking the front wheels off while beeding the brakes from the garage pot?
Thanks!

you can use 3 or 4. don't use 5. you CAN mix them, but it wouldn't be as good as 4 by itself. you can bleed the brakes with the wheels on, but it's much easier with them off. go R/R, L/R, R/F, L/F. gravity bleeding's great if you have the patience.