first can u guys explain a flush/bleed? is that where u completely take out all the liquid and replace it with new ?

and i read a post how to change power steering and brake fluids...

should there be a difference after changing brake fluid? i can see a change in power steering but brake fluids?

Power steering fluid: Fresh fluid will lubricate the pump and steering gear better than old fluid. Sometimes you'll notice a slightly smoother feel (when steering in a parking lot scenario) and reduced noise levels with fresh fluid.


Brake Fluid: Fresh brake fluid has no moisture and a boiling point of 400F or so. It's also free of all particulate. Over time brake fluid absorbs some moisture and the boiling point lowers. A couple of hard stops on old fluid can produce a spongy pedal where as it may take 3-4 consecutive hard stops to get sponginess with new fluid. Fluid with a higher moisture content also allows corrosion to set in. A by product of corrosion tends to be particulate which works as an abrasive in the brake system.

What you'll notice with fresh fluid is a slightly firmer pedal.

IMHO a brake system flush every 2-3 years, regardless of mileage, is great preventative maintenance. If you don't drive much and live in a very dry climate maybe every 4 years...

I got to tell you, in 35 years of driving, all sorts of cars, I have never even heard of a flush for power steering.

I do the brake-fluid change with a baster a couple times a year, but even that is probably overkill.

The word flush or flushing is mis-used. It must come from the cooling system method when you hooked up a garden hose.

Replacing your power steering fluid is a good idea. The system has wearing parts and the fluid becomes contaminated.

Replacing the fluid only in the reservoir, whether yor're talking brakes or PS, while better than doing nothing, is an incomplete job. You should push the fluid through the brakes lines out the bleeder screws. It's most foolproof to do with two people and once you've done it with the wheels removed you'll know how to do it without removing the wheels.

In what sequence does brake fluid needs to be flushed?

From motorcycle world I can tell you that it makes HUGE difference when you put new brake fluid.

Any of you use Speed bleeders?

Flushing is when you push out all the old fluid by adding new fluid. Typically the system is kept at a constant fluid level during the exchange process so it can take significantly more fluid to complete a flush. Like Chris mentioned, 95% exchange is the goal. Cooling systems, transmissions, brakes, and power steering are all routinely serviced through this method.

A drain and fill is something that can be done with cooling systems, transmission fluid, and of course engine oil. Brake systems can not be drained and filled because you would introduce a lot of air into the system.

Bleeding is done with brakes and it is used to remove air from the brake system. In this case, it's not much different than a brake flush, except that your goal would be to stop bleeding once air is removed, instead of bleeding out all the old fluid.

Siphon out all the old brake fluid in the master cyclinder reservior and then top-off with new brake fluid.

You want to bleed the from the furthest wheel from the master cyclinder first. So passenger rear, driver rear, passenger front and driver front wheel.

Cool, just wanted to make sure on the order.