Break fluid change
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,485
Likes: 232
From: Ohio
I have heard/seen conflicting information on this pint...
There was a post (thought I saved it, can't find it now) that showed a schematic of the HD system. In that schematic, there were two reservoirs (one for front & one for rear) that remained closed, full of fluid, unless the ABS unit was cycled. That fluid would not be changed during a flush, without cycling the ABS. It was those reservoirs that require the ABS to be cycled for a complete bleed, if air gets into that ABS module.
I continued to flush the brakes myself, after seeing this diagram. I just didn't think the small amount of fluid, trapped in the reservoirs, would be an issue. And of course, it would soon enough be diluted with the new fluid from the flush, the first time you caused the ABS to kick in... I did find myself forcing an ABS activation after a fluid flush...
There was a post (thought I saved it, can't find it now) that showed a schematic of the HD system. In that schematic, there were two reservoirs (one for front & one for rear) that remained closed, full of fluid, unless the ABS unit was cycled. That fluid would not be changed during a flush, without cycling the ABS. It was those reservoirs that require the ABS to be cycled for a complete bleed, if air gets into that ABS module.
I continued to flush the brakes myself, after seeing this diagram. I just didn't think the small amount of fluid, trapped in the reservoirs, would be an issue. And of course, it would soon enough be diluted with the new fluid from the flush, the first time you caused the ABS to kick in... I did find myself forcing an ABS activation after a fluid flush...
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,814
Likes: 5,120
From: SW Ohio
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,146
Likes: 11,220
From: San Diego, CA
It's good practice to replace brake fluid in autos every two years. Most manufacturers have a recommendation... My '14 Mercedes has an "A" & "B" service, that you are supposed to alternate between every 10K miles or one year. The "B" service includes a brake fluid exchange, that's a brake fluid change every 20k miles or two years... Vehicle manufacturers are not consistent, though... Chevy says every 45K miles, Honda says every three years, others don't call for a flush, but an "inspection"... does that mean water content?
In cars/trucks, the amount of fluid, compared to a bike's system, is much larger. I suspect it takes longer to build up the same moisture content in cars/trucks as in a bike. Plus, the ABS in cars/trucks, in most cases, is probably far superior to the early HD ABS that can fail in a manner that you lose your brakes!
I remember in the old days, with drum brakes... constantly finding wheel cylinders that were leaking. They needed honing or replacement.. guess what caused that? I'll bet if the brake fluid was changed every two years in those vehicles, there would have been far less wheel cylinder leaks/repairs/failures...
Bottom line... you should be replacing the brake fluid in all your vehicles on a recommended/regular schedule...
Last edited by hattitude; Sep 7, 2018 at 07:05 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,302
Likes: 61
From: Near YVR
They recommend changing break fluid every two years on bikes with dot 4 fluid. Now I can do this myself and I do know how. My question is the dealer says they have a computer base fluid changer that's gets every last drop out. It don't cost much to do. I put about 20000 miles a year on bake has 39000 now he said I should be changing soon. I always do my own work from small jobs to full rebuilds This new computer **** sometimes has me going in circles. So should I just let the dealer do it for the $65.00 or do it my self. Please only answer if you know what your talking about.
I like to fix things till they brake, so I dont know what I am taking about, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last week.
$65.00 is cheap compared to the Service Menu here in Canada...$200.00 but, they give a quick wash of your bike when done.
Rob
And my spelling mistake was on purpose too...
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,920
Likes: 77
From: dallas
"This is the truth. You can not do a complete brake fluid change without the scanner tool. If you search "Brake fluid flush", it has been beat to death. Lots of info out there." I call BS on this statement.
my dealer (STEALER) was going to charge me 169 bucks. Did it my self ( thanks 'ride it wrench it' youtube channel ) which gets to every last drop. your dealer sounds like a fair one for 65 bucks great price. I bought the fluid tester from amazon for 10 bucks, no guesswork vis a vis knowing if your brake fluid is bad.
my dealer (STEALER) was going to charge me 169 bucks. Did it my self ( thanks 'ride it wrench it' youtube channel ) which gets to every last drop. your dealer sounds like a fair one for 65 bucks great price. I bought the fluid tester from amazon for 10 bucks, no guesswork vis a vis knowing if your brake fluid is bad.
Last edited by oakmossy; Sep 8, 2018 at 09:29 AM.
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