Advice from the Bendix Answerman: Brake Fluid Service as Important as Oil Changes
While some may think an old school “flush” will breathe new life into a braking system, Chuck Kennedy, technical trainer at Bendix Brakes says if one is performed without checking for contaminants already present, the braking system’s hydraulic control unit (HCU) can be seriously damaged. That’s why maintaining clean, contaminant-free brake fluid is just as important to a vehicle as getting regular oil changes.
Latest Toyota Recall Due to Replacement Brake Fluid and OE Seals
Toyota Motor Sales announced it will conduct a voluntary Safety Recall for a brake problem that occurs once the vehicle has been serviced with non-factory fill/genuine brake fluid. Drivers may experience a small amount of the brake fluid leaking from the brake master cylinder, resulting in illumination of the brake warning lamp.
Tech Tip: Some Facts About Brake Fluid Flushing
The purpose of the brake fluid is to transfer force under pressure from the master cylinder to the calipers/wheel cylinders. Non-contaminated fluid is imperative in order to maintain good brakeability, and to retain a high boiling point to prevent gassing and brake pedal fade.
Ford Recall: The Problem is the Brake Fluid in the Switch – The Solution is a Fuse
Ford is performing the largest ever recall for a brake light switch on the side of the master cylinder. The recall will cover 9.6 million Ford vehicles made between 1992 and 2004.
Bleeding ABS Brake System: Why Brake Fluid and Lines Degrade
According to R. L. Polk, the average age of the vehicles on U.S. roads was 9.2 years in 2007 with 41 percent of the vehicles 11 years or older. This high median age is a good reason to consider the condition of the brake fluid and bleeding procedures when performing maintenance or repairs. Maintenance or repair of an Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) system can require the opening of the hydraulic system. Any time the hydraulic system is opened, air can be introduced into the lines and components.
Tech Tip: The Science of Brake Fluid
As demanding as a driver is of his brakes, a brake system requires even more from the brake fluid. Stepping on the brake pedal, the brake master cylinder transforms mechanical force into hydraulic pressure. Being non-compressible, brake fluid is responsible for transferring hydraulic pressure through brake lines and hoses down to the brake caliper and wheel cylinder assemblies. In addition to the important role of transferring pressure, brake fluid also includes other vital characteristics that play a key role in ….
Brake Fluid Testing: Bleeding and Flushing Minimizes Internal Corrosion in the Brake System
Brake fluid is something that should always be changed when the brakes are relined or when replacing a caliper, wheel cylinder, brake line, hose or master cylinder. But what about at other times? Should brake fluid be replaced for preventive maintenance? Most brake experts say yes! DOT 3 and DOT 4 brake fluid contains glycol
Phoenix Systems Gives Away 650,000 Brake Fluid Test Strips
To help support the Motorist Assurance Program (MAP) Brake Service Awareness Week, Phoenix Systems recently gave away more than 650,000 BrakeStrip test strips to professional technicians. BrakeStrip is a revolutionary new technology that allows ….
Tech Tip: Brake Fluid Q & A
What are the fundamental differences between synthetic fluid and conventional DOT 3 and 4? Simple, it all comes down to the base stock. Both synthetic and conventional brake fluids start from the same "polyethylene glycol" stock. But, to make synthetic brake fluid the manufacturer will "synthesize" the original base stock and make the molecules better and more consistent.
Brake Fluid Q & A
Mike Evangelo of Dynamic Motorsports and Rossion Automotive e-mailed me with six questions about brake fluid. I like a challenge, so here are my answers. 1. What are the fundamental differences between synthetic fluid and conventional DOT 3 and 4? Simple, it all comes down to the base stock. Both synthetic and conventional brake fluids