How many of you guys do this or have had it done? It's a recommended service apparently, something I've done or had done. Dealer wants $166 to do it. I've been looking up online how to do for my 2019 F150, other than taking off the tires it doesn't look difficult.

Thanks

You often don’t even need to take the tires off on some of the vehicles. Best to do with two people. If it has an electric parking brake there is a brake maintenance mode you’ll need to put it in. Those vehicles call for DOT 4 lv I believe, it’ll be cheapest to purchase a brand other than motorcraft online. Get quart bottles, the gallon jugs are a pain. It doesn’t hold that much, but get a gallon just to be safe. I use a bottle with a hole poked in the top with a cheap piece of hose. It’s a 30 minute job with two people and $40 in fluid at maximum.

Thanks for the feedback. I saw some video's that recommend a vacuum pump being done by one person. I'll have to change my rear brakes soon, I'll keep learning about this process, but it doesn't seem difficult at all.

Brake fluid absorbs water particularly at the wheel hubs. Driving through rain or backing up in water to where the axle is under water. That's the reason to replace the fluid.

Harbor freight sells a vacuum bleeder.


Now, before going and sucking brake fluid. You need to understand the anti lock module. The device that causes it all to happen. Get any kind of air in the Anti lock and you're in for some fanatic fun. Most the time, it takes a specific dealer software to purge it.


So if you bleed the brakes. Make damn sure the master cylinder is being filled as you bleed. One single air bubble getting into the antilock.... Is gonna cost money. Unless you're brave. As in driving down the road with air in the system. Stomping the brakes in an effort to get the module to purge itself.

I'll definitely be sure not to let the master cylinder get low during the process. Thanks for that advice!

You really need a friend standing at the master cylinder holding a big bottle of fluid. Making sure the master cylinder isn't drained.


While, You, are doing nothing but laying on the ground bleeding the system. Otherwise, going back and forth, by yourself,..... sUcKs.

That's how you get bubbles.

On point here, I pump a little out, get up, check it, top it off, a little tedious, but no big deal.

If my wife is available when I do it I can get her to help. Otherwise it's just me, doing a little at a time. Thanks again. I need to look at the vacuum pump from Harbor Freight. I looked at one, can't remember from where it was $107. From what I have been searching the pump makes it easier to do by your self.

Vacuum bleeder is a required tool unless you have someone pumping the brake.

I'm going to get one before I start. Thanks

I have one of these from Amazon.

Universal One Way Check Valve Tube Bleeding Tool Kit, Hydraulic Brake Fluid Bleeder.

You can find you tube videos of people using the check valve.

I used turkey baster to remove old fluid then added fresh fluid as needed while bleeding each wheel.

2017 Chevy Silverado.
Good luck.

Another thing worth mentioning is if the bleeder screw doesn’t want to come loose easily don’t force it. Hit it with some PB blaster and wait a little bit. Forced the issue once on a vehicle and ended up having to buy a new caliper.

I agree with the PB blaster, it's good stuff. I'll have to check and see if I still have some.

i don't have time to bleed

Track rat here. Road courses and a heavy V8 car stress brakes to the max. So I've flushed a lot of fluid and bled a lot brakes (and a stupid amount of track spec "race" pads). I had to flush 2-3 times a year before I switched over to SRF fluid. Its THE best, but $80 liter is not necessary for a street vehicle.

Best setup is pressure flush where you replace the reservoir cap and push everything through so less likelihood of creating an air bubble and work faster than vacuum system. I have the one made but Motive products. Works great. Not sure I'd buy one for just a single fluid change though.