at what milage approximately is a good time to bleed brakes?

 

I changed mine (a 95 Maxima) after six years at 95,000 miles. Didn't have any brake problems prior to that so I guess waiting until then didn't hurt the car.

 

I did it at 65k, 6years, and to be honest, I had to convince myself that there was some difference so I'm not sure it was necessary...

If you have a tendency to brake hard and often, or at high speed, then it may be worthwhile every couple of years. Racing folk often do it before every weekend autocross...

 

Don't bother bleeding them unless they are mushy or you just changed the fluid. It's a good idea to change the fluid at least once a year, regardless of driving conditions. Brake fluid is hygroscopic, meaning it absorbs moisture, which lowers the boiling point, but also from a longevity standpoint, the water in the fluid will eventually start to cause problems in the system. Granted this is only a factor if you plan on keeping the car for a reallllly long time, but food for thought.

 

what's the difference between changing and bleeding fluid as you stated. is bleeding only getting new fuild in the lines and not the master cylinder?

 

I think bleeding is just to get the air out of the braking system, for its proper operation.

 

Brake fluid absorbs moisture. You should replace your brake fluid every few years to maintain a clean system. There isn't much of a noticable difference in the system when you change it, unless you have some very old fluid in there. Lets say 7 - 10 years old. Then you feel the difference in the peddal.

Bleading is necessary only when the system is opened. And I don't mean opening the cap on the reserve.

I personally like to flush my system out with clean fluid every time I change my pads. Keeps the entire system nice and clean. The fluid is cheap and it's good cheap insurance against a failure due to contamination.

 

Exactly, you can bleed the brakes without changing the fluid, though you will have o add a little, but you shouldn't change the fluid without bleeding them. Since air is compressible and brake fluid isn't you will start to get that mushy fel with long pedal travel, kinda like driving on older GM car.

 

Exactly, you can bleed the brakes without changing the fluid, though you will have to add a little, but you shouldn't change the fluid without bleeding them. Since air is compressible and brake fluid isn't you will start to get that mushy fel with long pedal travel, kinda like driving on older GM car.

 

I remember I replace my 86 Sentra brake pads many years ago, and bleeded them according to the Haynes manual. A few weeks later a friend called me and said his brake was very mushy, like stepping on a sponge. I drove 30 miles to him just to help bleed his brake. Perfectly working after that.

 

I remember when my master cylinder went, I had to stop with the e-brake for around a month. Sucked.

 

i change my fluid everytime i change the brake pads....:kiss:

 

Do it every two years as preventive maintenance. Brake fluid absorbs moisture by design and eventually moisture in the system creates rust. Plus....water (moisture) doesn't compress like brake fluid, so performance gets spongy over time. Every two years is recommended by the guys on Motorweek. You probably won't find that in your owner's manual.

 

i'm interested on how u change the fluid w/o opening the bleeder screws? do u use something like a turkey baster and pull the fluid out of the master cyl?

 

You can't. No turkey basters in the garage, please.

In order to change the fluid, you need to drain it from the bleeder screws at the bottom of the system, while refilling it from the top at the brake fluid reservoir. This is the only way to do it correctly.

Refer to Haynes or Chilton manuals for the complete procedure.

 

Yep, you can't, or shouldn't anyway. What I meant to say was that it is possible to bleed the brakes while using very little new fluid, without the need to completely replace all the fluid in the system.

 

i knew that..just want to see what he was talking about.

 

but while the bleeder screw is open why not change all of it? fluid is pretty cheap..unless you're using ATE or Motul.

it's like changing only 2 qts of oil...might as well do all of it while you're at it.

 

I agree, it's definitly a good idea to change it all if you're doing from a maintenance standpoint. For those you are thinking about actively racing, and who will need to bleed brakes all the time, I just wanted to point out that it can be done without a complete replacement. Those who do actively race should be using something like ATE or Motul and it can get expensive quickly if you replace all the fluid, rather than the 1/2 quart it ususually takes, evertime you bleed the brakes.

 

There is more than one way to skin a cat. shameless self promotion. hehe

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....essure+bleeder