Brake fluid change / caliper replacement

[eds72]

I had planned to replace my front brake pads and flush out the old fluid, but discovered that I have one stuck caliper and another that looks to be on its last legs. I picked up new calipers, but am now contemplating the order in which I should do things.

On one hand, it seems like it might not be a bad idea to flush everything while the old calipers are in place. By doing this, any impurities will be flushed through the old caliper. I could then proceed with the brake job and bleed brakes again when complete. This would cost me extra time and some brake fluid, but may be worth it.

The other option would be to switch everything out and then bleed/replace fluid in one shot. Less time/fluid used, but at the possible risk of introducing contaminants to the new caliper.

Am I overthinking it or is it worth a little extra time and fluid to avoid running the old brake fluid through the caliper?

 

[ben550]

I am about to do the same job on mine. If you have the time I would flush first with the old calipers on and then install the new calipers.

Did you look into the dorman speed bleeders? I picked some up at napa and am looking forward to trying them.

 

[MikeInNH]

I would flush with the old calipers also.

 

[eds72]

Thanks to you both for the opinions.

Did you look into the dorman speed bleeders? I picked some up at napa and am looking forward to trying them.

Funny you should ask. I did not initially, because I thought I'd have a helper so wasn't really concerned about it. After failing to find time today though, I decided it would be a good idea to go ahead and get some. I had NAPA order them and will pick up tomorrow.

 

[earthrealm]

so you can manually bleed the brakes without a scan tool?....
would be nice if you document the procedure

 

[MikeInNH]

so you can manually bleed the brakes without a scan tool?....
would be nice if you document the procedure

It's the exact same way you bleed other brakes without anti-lock brakes. Or you can gravity feed them.

 

[ben550]

Thanks to you both for the opinions.



Funny you should ask. I did not initially, because I thought I'd have a helper so wasn't really concerned about it. After failing to find time today though, I decided it would be a good idea to go ahead and get some. I had NAPA order them and will pick up tomorrow.

Success?

 

[eds72]

Success?

Partial.

The front ones worked great. The rears thread in although I was a little skeptical the threads were long enough. I installed the RR one and immediately bled and it worked great. Tightened it down and moved to the LR and ... brake fluid shower from RR. I think the threads are too short so it doesn't seat on the tapered portion.

Originals are reinstalled in rear and I will be returning to NAPA...

 

[eds72]

Partial.

The front ones worked great. The rears thread in although I was a little skeptical the threads were long enough. I installed the RR one and immediately bled and it worked great. Tightened it down and moved to the LR and ... brake fluid shower from RR. I think the threads are too short so it doesn't seat on the tapered portion.

Originals are reinstalled in rear and I will be returning to NAPA...

Update: The NAPA computer came up with part number 675-1570 for the rear. That is incorrect, the threaded portion is too short. I am pretty confident that the correct part number is 675-1573 - which has the same thread size/pitch but is 4mm longer. I will follow up once I pick them up and install tomorrow.

Their computer was accurate for the fronts, part number is 675-1572

 

[ben550]

Update: The NAPA computer came up with part number 675-1570 for the rear. That is incorrect, the threaded portion is too short. I am pretty confident that the correct part number is 675-1573 - which has the same thread size/pitch but is 4mm longer. I will follow up once I pick them up and install tomorrow.

Their computer was accurate for the fronts, part number is 675-1572

Good info. I have the 1570s and the 1572s sitting in my toolbox. Ill exchange the 1570s if you find the 1573s are the better fit.

 

[blackoutt]

Curious to see how your bleeding procedure works out for you.

I just replaced both front calipers, and soft lines at all 4 corners, bled longest line to shortest line with vacuum pump, then again manually with a pedal pusher assistant. Now when hard stopping I get a pull to the right, the harder I brake the harder it pulls. I haven't inspected anything yet but I'm guessing I got some air in the system still that has found it's way down to that caliper.

 

[eds72]

Good info. I have the 1570s and the 1572s sitting in my toolbox. Ill exchange the 1570s if you find the 1573s are the better fit.

Confirmed - the 1570 is too short and does not seat, causing a spray of brake fluid when the system is pressurized. The threaded area is longer on the 1573 and it matches the OEM bleeder.

Curious to see how your bleeding procedure works out for you.

I just replaced both front calipers, and soft lines at all 4 corners, bled longest line to shortest line with vacuum pump, then again manually with a pedal pusher assistant. Now when hard stopping I get a pull to the right, the harder I brake the harder it pulls. I haven't inspected anything yet but I'm guessing I got some air in the system still that has found it's way down to that caliper.

The bleeding process was so much easier with these installed. Prior to installing, I had my assistant pump and then hold and would get maybe a tablespoon of brake fluid when I cracked the bleeder. It took probably 5 minutes to get a couple ounces to flow through. With the speed bleeders I still used an assistant - but just cracked them open and had him pump until no more air was coming out. I was able to do all 4 corners in about 5-10 minutes total.

I took it for a quick spin around the neighborhood and it feels pretty good. Maybe a little soft, hard to say. I replaced pads and both front calipers so I changed a lot of things that could contribute to pedal feel.