At another site I read a recommendation to gravity brake flush when changing brake fluid instead of the open, pump, close bleeder valve method. The reason being not to damage seals in master cylinder that have pitted cylinders when rusted over time. My 12 year old GXE has original fluid and I know it needs to be changed. car has Antilock brakes. Has anyone used gravity flush (I never heard of it before) or any recommendations.

 

Haven't heard of it, but I probably need to flush mine too

 

Well if you MC has pits in it, you should replace it. Gravity feed bleeding would take all day I would think. And if the brake seals can't take the very little pressure from bleeding, how is it going to withstand a full on emergency stop?

What you probably read is that when you bleed brake, the pedal travel of the MC is much longer(ie.. to the floor) so when you use the part of the mc that's not been used, it might damage the seals. But again, I refer back up to my 1st paragraph.

 

One of those pistol grip suction things they sell at autozone should do the trick. I think they're about $35.

 

I saw those, how do they work?

 

It has a little catch bowl and every time you squeeze it pulls a vaccum. Not as fast as pumping the brake but they work.