Brake fluid flush & steel braided lines. Basic question

philrae · 07-19-2008, 12:21 PM

I could not find this on the forum so I thought I would ask a simple question. I want to put braided steel brake lines on my 08 STi. Like some others have reported, I have a feeling there may be a little air in the lines. I thought I might just swap out the fluid for something better (RBF 600?) at the same time and fix it all at once.
If I get a pressure bleeder (for example the Motive Products Hydraulic Brake & Clutch Pressure Bleeder sold by Rallysport direct), can I just blow the old fluid through one brake bleed valve and then repeat on the other 3 brakes to clear out the lines? I have not done this procedure in years and it was on an old, old, mini. Things may have changed since then and I wanted to make sure that there were not fluid traps or non return vales etc. on the Subaru...

I presume the pressure reservoir makes it a easy to fill the new lines with fluid (without bubbles).

Thanks for answering what is probably a simple question.

EtoS · 07-19-2008, 03:58 PM

Bleeding the brakes the old fashion way is the best. Pressure bleeders and vacuums will put un-needed wear on your brake system. Put the SS lines on then get a buddy to help ya put put new fluid in by pressing the brake pedal the old fashion way. Just make sure to do it the right way-start from the furthest from the brake reservoir first and work your way to the closest. If you already done this and know what you're doing this shouldn't be a big issue at all.

***snorky*** · 07-19-2008, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EtoS

Bleeding the brakes the old fashion way is the best. Pressure bleeders and vacuums will put un-needed wear on your brake system. Put the SS lines on then get a buddy to help ya put put new fluid in by pressing the brake pedal the old fashion way. Just make sure to do it the right way-start from the furthest from the brake reservoir first and work your way to the closest. If you already done this and know what you're doing this shouldn't be a big issue at all.

Please elaborate on how a pressure bleeding system which operates around 20psi is going to shorten the life of a brake system that sees pressures of 75- 300psi regularly.

EtoS · 07-19-2008, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snorky

Please elaborate on how a pressure bleeding system which operates around 20psi is going to shorten the life of a brake system that sees pressures of 75- 300psi regularly.

Brake fluid is a lubricant and cleaner. Most pressure system introduce air into the system at those pressures. Imagine running your engine at idle with little to no oil. It won't get destroyed if you don't let it idle for long but it won't be in the same shape it was. You'd have to constantly go back and forth between the reservoir and caliper to put fluid in. Even if you did that you're also putting pressure on the parts in a way it wasn't designed for. It wouldn't harm the brake system as much but eh depends how often you plan to bleed the system. Avid tracker changes it quite a bit. If you're case is more novelty then not so often at all. Plus pressure systems cost money- fold fashion way costs a 6 pack to bribe your friend into helping ya and someone to talk to while doing it. I'll take the later anyday.

***snorky*** · 07-19-2008, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EtoS

Brake fluid is a lubricant and cleaner. Most pressure system introduce air into the system at those pressures. Imagine running your engine at idle with little to no oil. It won't get destroyed if you don't let it idle for long but it won't be in the same shape it was. It wouldn't harm the brake system as much but eh depends how often you plan to bleed the system. Avid tracker changes it quite a bit. If you're case is more novelty then not so often at all. Plus pressure systems cost money- fold fashion way costs a 6 pack to bribe your friend into helping ya and someone to talk to while doing it. I'll take the later anyday.

all of your points have no scientific basis and your analogy is lost on me. I suggest you familiarize yourself with how hydraulic systems work and you look into how the motive power bleeder and the mityvac work before giving out advice.

EtoS · 07-19-2008, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snorky

all of your points have no scientific basis and your analogy is lost on me. I suggest you familiarize yourself with how hydraulic systems work and you look into how the motive power bleeder and the mityvac work before giving out advice.

Sir YES Sir!

That's fine- considering everything is deigned for a specific use, those pressure systems were only made for mechanics in mind cause for them time=money with flat rate. They don't have the time to get another tech and play "down- closed!" game either. Unless that's your job I don't see why you'd have one? And if it is your job why are you asking about bleeding brakes in the first place? The only thing that comes to mind are bleeder valves. Bleeder valves are at least usefull to someone who intends to bleed their brakes alot and do it right. But I somehow don't think that's what you're talking about Mrs. Novelty

USNSTI · 07-19-2008, 08:16 PM

Sorry Etos, I'm with snorky on this one. power bleeders cause no harm. Also they are cheap enough to be cost effective for even the home mechanic. Time is money for all of us nowadays.

bklynpanman · 07-19-2008, 08:56 PM

I'm with etos. Did mine with my mechanic friend my brakes are a beautiful thing now. No issues.

***snorky*** · 07-20-2008, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EtoS

Sir YES Sir!

That's fine- considering everything is deigned for a specific use, those pressure systems were only made for mechanics in mind cause for them time=money with flat rate. They don't have the time to get another tech and play "down- closed!" game either. Unless that's your job I don't see why you'd have one? And if it is your job why are you asking about bleeding brakes in the first place? The only thing that comes to mind are bleeder valves. Bleeder valves are at least usefull to someone who intends to bleed their brakes alot and do it right. But I somehow don't think that's what you're talking about Mrs. Novelty

Mrs Novelty bled her brakes 10 times in 6 months last year. She does track days. She uses a Motive Power Bleeder every time and gets it done in under 20 mins. No air in lines and no squishy pedal.

EtoS · 07-20-2008, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snorky

Mrs Novelty bled her brakes 10 times in 6 months last year. She does track days. She uses a Motive Power Bleeder every time and gets it done in under 20 mins. No air in lines and no squishy pedal.

That's fine- you can wear out your brake system then, it's your car. If you want a better faster and cheaper way then bleeder valves are better. You also have to take into consideration that while you may bleed your brakes often it doesn't look like the OP will- doubt he's ever gonna make use of any type of speedy flush system at all. BTW it's Mrs. not Mrs, cmon now =P

***snorky*** · 07-20-2008, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EtoS

That's fine- you can wear out your brake system then, it's your car. If you want a better faster and cheaper way then bleeder valves are better. You also have to take into consideration that while you may bleed your brakes often it doesn't look like the OP will- doubt he's ever gonna make use of any type of speedy flush system at all. BTW it's Mrs. not Mrs, cmon now =P

You're right. My brakes will wear from heat, not from using a power bleeder.

SLY STi · 07-20-2008, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EtoS

BTW it's Mrs. not Mrs, cmon now =P

I'm not even going to get started on the consistent spelling and grammatical errors that make reading your posts for all but a 5th grader quite difficult. Not to mention that it makes your thoughts on brake systems even less sound than they already are.

**Turninconcepts.com** · 07-20-2008, 04:19 PM

Bickering aside, OP you can flush a good bit of the old fluid from one bleeder given the bleeding system of your choice, but you will still have old fluid in the lines you don't flush, and some hidden in the ABS.

My suggestion is bleed each corner until fresh fluid comes through, cycle the ABS a couple of times and bleed again.

EtoS · 07-20-2008, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SLY STi

I'm not even going to get started on the consistent spelling and grammatical errors that make reading your posts for all but a 5th grader quite difficult. Not to mention that it makes your thoughts on brake systems even less sound than they already are.

Man take a joke. You people are way too uptight over small stuff, sensitive bunch aren't ya?

07-19-2008, 12:21 PM	#1
philrae Amateur STI Driver Posts: 16 Join Date: Aug 2006 Trader Rating: (0)	Brake fluid flush & steel braided lines. Basic question I could not find this on the forum so I thought I would ask a simple question. I want to put braided steel brake lines on my 08 STi. Like some others have reported, I have a feeling there may be a little air in the lines. I thought I might just swap out the fluid for something better (RBF 600?) at the same time and fix it all at once. If I get a pressure bleeder (for example the Motive Products Hydraulic Brake & Clutch Pressure Bleeder sold by Rallysport direct), can I just blow the old fluid through one brake bleed valve and then repeat on the other 3 brakes to clear out the lines? I have not done this procedure in years and it was on an old, old, mini. Things may have changed since then and I wanted to make sure that there were not fluid traps or non return vales etc. on the Subaru... I presume the pressure reservoir makes it a easy to fill the new lines with fluid (without bubbles). Thanks for answering what is probably a simple question. This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.

07-19-2008, 03:58 PM	#2
EtoS STI Driver Car: Totalled 06 WRX TR Fav Mod: Coming Soon Posts: 265 Join Date: Jul 2008 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Brake fluid flush & steel braided lines. Basic question Bleeding the brakes the old fashion way is the best. Pressure bleeders and vacuums will put un-needed wear on your brake system. Put the SS lines on then get a buddy to help ya put put new fluid in by pressing the brake pedal the old fashion way. Just make sure to do it the right way-start from the furthest from the brake reservoir first and work your way to the closest. If you already done this and know what you're doing this shouldn't be a big issue at all.

07-19-2008, 08:16 PM	#7
USNSTI Silver Member Car: OBP 07 STI Fav Mod: Boost gauge Location: San Diego Posts: 1,415 Join Date: Dec 2006 Trader Rating: (6)	Re: Brake fluid flush & steel braided lines. Basic question Sorry Etos, I'm with snorky on this one. power bleeders cause no harm. Also they are cheap enough to be cost effective for even the home mechanic. Time is money for all of us nowadays.

07-19-2008, 08:56 PM	#8
bklynpanman STI Driver Car: 08 STI WHITE ! ! ! Fav Mod: Coming Soon Location: NJ Posts: 223 Join Date: Dec 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Brake fluid flush & steel braided lines. Basic question I'm with etos. Did mine with my mechanic friend my brakes are a beautiful thing now. No issues.

07-20-2008, 04:19 PM	#13
Turninconcepts.com Authorized Vendor Car: 04/08STI 95SVX 86E30 Posts: 5,027 Join Date: Jul 2003 Trader Rating: (53)	Re: Brake fluid flush & steel braided lines. Basic question Bickering aside, OP you can flush a good bit of the old fluid from one bleeder given the bleeding system of your choice, but you will still have old fluid in the lines you don't flush, and some hidden in the ABS. My suggestion is bleed each corner until fresh fluid comes through, cycle the ABS a couple of times and bleed again.