Jump to content
The mkiv Supra Owners Club

Changing Brake Fluid


Doughie

Recommended Posts

I'd like to change my brake fluid before Bentwaters on Sunday.

 

Anyone else done it ?

how long did it take ?

how hard / easy is it ?

What tools required ?     is one of those "Gunsons Eazi-bleed" kits a good buy ?

Do you *need* 2 people (i to pump the brakes, one to do the other stuff) ?

Which fluid ?  Is any DOT 5.1 good enough ?

 

 

Also I've found a useful site that compares leading "performance" fluids wet and dry boiling points ("wet" is when the fluid has absorbed some water, "dry" is when it's bottle-fresh and absorbed no water) :

http://www.dougrippie.com/drm/brake_components.htm

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have  not changed the fluid on the Supra yet but will when I fit the new brakes, but have done quite a few other cars. Even with a kit, I prefer to have some one to do the peddle pushing, it is a lot quicker too. A good quality ring spanner for the bleed nipples is essential. Even with the kit  I still lighten the nipple as the peddle is raised, I just feel safe doing that.

 

Make sure you know the order of cylinders to work on usually;  near side front, off side rear, off side front nears side rear. But I am not sure of the circuits on the supra. If you want a complete change you should take off each calliper and push all the pistons back so that the pots are completely emptied of old fluid. Doing this on your own is very difficult, with four pots at the front. You have to hold the piston in as the fluid is pumped out. When new fluid comes through put the calliper back on pump fluid through, then give a final bleed to check for air.

 

I usually get  the assistant  to pump the peddle gently, full strokes with the fist brake nipple open. When the level of fluid master cylinder gets below the min and near  to the outlets you can add more fluid, if you are lucky you may notice the clean fluid come through the nipple. If not you will just need to pump through a bit more than you need. Someone may know the Supra system capacity,  this will give you a guide.

 

There is another thread on brake fluids and good advice about which types to use. It also says which fluids are more hydoscopic. Can't remember if it mentions Castrol SRF though.

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Quote: from Doughie on 12:23 pm on Oct. 23, 2001[br]is one of those "Gunsons Eazi-bleed" kits a good buy ?

 

 

 

Be careful with any pressurised bleeding kits............ if the cap isn't perfectly sealed to the master cylinder you can end up with fluid everywhere. ( I have seen a BMW325 with a ruined roof due to fluid squirting out of an overpressurised system)

 

I usually get wor lass to do the footwork........

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Quote: from matt on 2:42 pm on Oct. 23, 2001[br]
Quote: from Doughie on 12:23 pm on Oct. 23, 2001[br]is one of those "Gunsons Eazi-bleed" kits a good buy ?

 

 

 

Be careful with any pressurised bleeding kits............ if the cap isn't perfectly sealed to the master cylinder you can end up with fluid everywhere. ( I have seen a BMW325 with a ruined roof due to fluid squirting out of an overpressurised system)

 

I usually get wor lass to do the footwork........

 

I am not familiar with the kit you mentioned, I just use a simple non-return valve kit that fits on the nipples. Not pressurised systems.

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Quote: from Phil Wall on 2:46 pm on Oct. 23, 2001[br]
Quote: from matt on 2:42 pm on Oct. 23, 2001[br]
Quote: from Doughie on 12:23 pm on Oct. 23, 2001[br]is one of those "Gunsons Eazi-bleed" kits a good buy ?

 

 

 

Be careful with any pressurised bleeding kits............ if the cap isn't perfectly sealed to the master cylinder you can end up with fluid everywhere. ( I have seen a BMW325 with a ruined roof due to fluid squirting out of an overpressurised system)

 

I usually get wor lass to do the footwork........

 

I am not familiar with the kit you mentioned, I just use a simple non-return valve kit that fits on the nipples. Not pressurised systems.

 

 

You've never lived Phil. You get a screw on cap for the master cylinder and you pump it up with the tyre foot pump.

Then you just go to the wheels and open them up, whooosh, out comes the fluid.

I've used one but I wouldn't be using it on the Supra, just to be safe.

 

I'm worried about it pressurising parts in the master cylinder which are not designed to be pressurised.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The Gunsons easy bleed thingy doesnt come with a fitting for the Supra, so its a waste of a tenner. You are better off getting an assistant spanner monkey to pump the brake pedal whilst you do the bleed nipples. Get some 5mm clear tubing from B&Q and put the end of it in an empty beer can and away you go. Took me about 1/2 hour after swapping the front calipers.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Quote: from Lee Burley on 4:33 pm on Oct. 23, 2001[br]The Gunsons easy bleed thingy doesnt come with a fitting for the Supra, so its a waste of a tenner. You are better off getting an assistant spanner monkey to pump the brake pedal whilst you do the bleed nipples. Get some 5mm clear tubing from B&Q and put the end of it in an empty beer can and away you go. Took me about 1/2 hour after swapping the front calipers.

 

Don't you get resistance from the servo after one or two presses?

 

Now if this goes in the direction I think it's going to...............

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Did it on my own with a non return bleed tube, but better if you can find some one to help, unlike me - Billy no mates. I used a racing high boiling point fluid supplied from Chris Wilson approx £70

 

THis is advice Chris Wilson gave me along with order of bleed:

 

Right Front, LF, RR, LR use full slow pedal presses, allow to return

faster. Keep reservoir at least quarter full at all times, you should

see the colour change as fresh fluid comes out of bleed nipples. Don't

over tighten the nipples, they don't need swing on

 

 

regards

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I've just ordered some Motul Race Brake Fluid at £6.50 for 500ml's...at that price I can afford to regularly change it!!!

 

I've ordered 3 500ml bottles that will be enough won't it?!

 

What's the capacity again...I've done a search of previous threads and not found the specific amounts.

 

Maybe a specific list of volumes of liquid required for servicing could be put into the technical archives?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I,ve only just done mine and 1.5 litres is about right, to flush out the old stuff, all on the advice of Mr Wilson (who needs to be on this BBS). Since one usually buys it in 1 litre bottles, a half litre is left for any future topping up shannanigans.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 5 years later...

Anyone found a kit which fits the Supra brake fluid res tank and its not the normal screw on.

 

Is it possible to bleed the system with the wheels on ?(ie see properly for bubbles etc) As I did it last night with the wheels off after doing the pads and caliper overhaul, but just want to give it the once around just to be sure. However test drove it last night and the wheels are on.

 

Just don't want to do the extra work wheels off, wheels on..

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue. You might also be interested in our Guidelines, Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.