Brake question

[Rondar]

So, on my BMW I have changed all of the fluids such as coolant, power steering, transmission fluid, rear differential "grease" and engine oil.  That leaves brake fluid.  BMW recommends doing it about once a year for my 2008 328i.  I am going to have to do this myself, and have never done this.  l see there are pressurized gallon or so sized hand pumped yard sprayer type devices to put brake or other fluids in and then pump up and put brake fluid in.  Gonna have to do this myself.  Are these things worth it?  They seem to run in the 50 to 100 dollar range.  And if I buy one for my car, can a guy buy another cap or whatever and then I can do my Honda van if I wanted to?

I watched a youtube video on doing the brake fluid but when they cut from the scenes to reduce the video time I always wonder just how long it took actually to do the job.  So is this going to be a 30 minute job, 2 hours, an afternoon job or what?  There was something about removing the wheels to do each one. 

[Shuffler]

I have never in my life changed brake fluid unless a master cylinder goes out.

[CAP1]

MY OPINION is that changing brake fluid that often is a waste of time and money. unless you know for fact that it is contaminated, or unless you've overheated your brakes a few times, i don't think you should need to worry about it.

[RTHolmes]

not sure about the pressurized thing but a normal brake bleed kit costs a few £ and is just some plastic tubing.

If you've never bled brakes before I wouldnt recommend it (your life depends on getting it right ...) If you are going to do it make sure you understand exactly what you're doing.

[Maverick]

If you decide you really have to do this you can get by with minimal equipment, if you have a helper and it is a simple master cylinder system.

Use something like a turkey baster to suction out the master cylinder. Once the old fluid is gone, refill and then get under the car. While your buddy slowly pumps the brakes you crack open the bleeder valve at the brake. Each wheel has to be done in sequence and make darn sure you do NOT run through all the fluid in the master or you will have just put air in the line. Keep refilling the master and once the fluid is all changed in each line (color should change or it should look to be clearer than the old fluid) repeat for each wheel. You do know that you have to shut the bleeder valve before your buddy lets up the brake pedal on each pump, right? Sequence; open valve, pump pedal slowly and then tighten valve as it hits bottom. Then let the brake pedal rebound making sure the fluid reservoir is still holding fluid.

[icepac]

You need to be careful doing brake fluid changes on newer cars with ABS.

Many cars require a scan tool to put the abs unit into "bleed mode".

[Rondar]

MY OPINION is that changing brake fluid that often is a waste of time and money. unless you know for fact that it is contaminated, or unless you've overheated your brakes a few times, i don't think you should need to worry about it.

I spent a pile of money on the car, and I am sure as heck not gonna hot rod it and tear it up.  I have no idea what the previous owner did or didnt do to it.  I myself drive things very decent as I work hard for the money and just wanted a nice car for a change.

The brakefluid just was the last item that could be changed.  It would give me peace of mind to know that all of the car was at least as fresh as it could be.  I could wait I suppose until I might need new brake pads and then do it all.  I'll see how bad it eats at me... and besides, I already bought plenty of brake fluid 

[CAP1]

I spent a pile of money on the car, and I am sure as heck not gonna hot rod it and tear it up.  I have no idea what the previous owner did or didnt do to it.  I myself drive things very decent as I work hard for the money and just wanted a nice car for a change.

The brakefluid just was the last item that could be changed.  It would give me peace of mind to know that all of the car was at least as fresh as it could be.  I could wait I suppose until I might need new brake pads and then do it all.  I'll see how bad it eats at me... and besides, I already bought plenty of brake fluid 

 if it's just a "piece of mind" thing, then by all means, get it done. but on a car such as that, if you're not 1,000% sure of what you're doing, spend the extra couple bucks, and take it to your shop, and have them do it. they'll have the proper equipment to do it correctly.

 also, you can purchase test kits to test the fluid.

[Bino]

Standard (non-silicone) brake fluid can absorb water, even just from the moisture in the air.  If left unchanged long enough, metal parts inside the brake system can corrode.

YMMV

[Bizman]

Brakes are the death of speed.

Also, a nap every now and then is an effective means to prevent growing old. Especially when taken behind the steering wheel on the freeway.

Which is cheaper, your life or the cost of a trained BMW specialist (not the ultra expensive brand repair laboratory, though)? The fluid itself costs about the same whether you buy it from the repair shop or elsewhere.

Then again, if you're in heavy debts and have a million dollar life insurance, you might accidentally want to make your wife economically independent some day?

[CAP1]

Standard (non-silicone) brake fluid can absorb water, even just from the moisture in the air.  If left unchanged long enough, metal parts inside the brake system can corrode.

YMMV

 the test kits i mentioned tell you if there's too much moisture in the fluid.

[Babalonian]

Standard (non-silicone) brake fluid can absorb water, even just from the moisture in the air.  If left unchanged long enough, metal parts inside the brake system can corrode.

YMMV

Is there even anything (left) on the road right now still using the "standard" stuff?

[CAP1]

Is there even anything (left) on the road right now still using the "standard" stuff?

 dot3 is still used in much more than you'd imagine.

[rpm]

I have never in my life changed brake fluid unless a master cylinder goes out.

Standard (non-silicone) brake fluid can absorb water, even just from the moisture in the air.  If left unchanged long enough, metal parts inside the brake system can corrode.

YMMV

This.