Brake fluid pump

[Dragon]

Some of you guys have been talking about a pump to change the brake fluid,

what actually is it, why do you need it, where do you get one from, and how much are they??? (and how dose it work)

Regrads Dragon.

 

[Dave Hall]

There a couple of vacuum pumps on the market the most well known being the Mityvac.

Performance parts 0114 258 1151 can supply mail order

I`m not very technically minded but the vacuum pump makes bleeding ABS systems more efficiently.

 

[boxer]

From Hein Hericke @ £37.

Russ.

 

[The Mechanic]

Vac pump

Very good ....usually...for extracting brake fluid and air bubbles when bleeding brake systems. Its a reversal of the old squeeze the lever/pump the pedal method, instead you suck the fluid out through the bleed nipple and don't create extra air in the system by operating the master cylinder.

After you have bled the brakes, if possible put some strong elastic bands or inner tube pieces around the brake lever to leave the lever applied (under pressure) over night. This normally causes microscopic air bubbles to surface in the resevoir, thus improving further the feel of the brake lever.

The kit can also be used for levelling fork oil, engine oil and transmission oil top up corrections. Useful to for checking testing most other things operated by vacuum. Used in the car trade quite extensively, issued as factory must have kit by some.

 

[Dragon]

pump

thanks for that info Tony very helpfull,

Regards Dragon

 

[theclowncrusty]

How often does the brake fluid need changing? have heard about an anual fluid chang on BMW`s but never on any other make of bike??? Another way to get us to pay over inflated service costs?
The Clown

 

[The Mechanic]

Fluid change.

Brake fluid is Hygroscopic, meaning that it readily absorbs moisture from the surrounding atmosphere. This moisture absorbtion reduces the effectiveness of the brake fluid by lowering its boiling point and introducing the possibility of the moisture boiling first and then allowing the fluid to become aerated with (in effect) steam. You cannot compress a liquid but you can a gas e.g. steam in gthis case. Don't get carried away the amount produced is tiny but enough to bring about a need for regular changing.

If your trusty stead lives in a damp garage / shed or under a cover then the need to change the fluid could....repeat could mean more frequent changing.

Now think about all those older cars on the road some will not have had their brake fluid changed in years, same for older bikes aswell.

Don't bother going for DOT 5 grade fluid this stuff is for competition and needs changing after nearly every day of use.

DOT4 is ok and DOT3 should be alright in non ABS bikes.

Change the fluid (including clutch if your model is hydraulic) just at the start of each new spring season, which means every year.
Do it yourself and save pounds or let the dealer do it, it is a necessary evil unfortunately.

 

[Possu]

I've been successfully using a large medical syringe (minus needle..) with a battery breather tube on the end for years.

I open the bleed nipple & suck all the fluid out, keeping an eye on the level in reservoir, topping up as req'd.

For those stubborn bubles that won't come out, I use the syringe to suck up fluid from the reservoir and pump it up back through the bleed nipple in to the reservoir.

Works every time, bled my (empty) K100 calipers in under 10 minutes recently.

Steve

 

[theclowncrusty]

OK THEN.....

Thanx for the reply, i will change the fluid all round in the new year. Ready for more fun when the weather warms up again.
Mark