lewisalice
New member
Do you think the brake fluid really needs to be changed every 2 years like it says in the maintenance schedule?
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Brake fluid
- Thread starter lewisalice
- Start date
pegasus1300
Well-known member
Yes I really do. Mine was changed out late and it was really ugly. I am on 2 years now and it is again looking ugly. DOT3 and DOT4 are hygroscopic,they attract water which makes them boil at a lower temperature with corresponding loss of brake power.
Highwayman2013
New member
Check the color of fresh DOT 4 against the fluid in the reservoir. Mine was 2 years old and it was very dark.
oldguyinTX
New member
Mine was absolutely filthy at 3 years, to the point where it might have clogged the brake lines. I would say get it done.
JayBros
Well-known member
Everything Paul says about DOT 3 and 4 brake fluid is correct. I doubt most Spyder riders would be pushing their bikes hard enough to experience boiling brake fluid but that water build up in the fluid can also cause problems with seals and just generally cruds up the system. Two year flushes ensure you maintain a good, clean system. Don't be penny wise and pound foolish with your investment.
lewisalice
New member
I got no problem spending the money was just curious why every 2 years
Highwayman2013
New member
It is pretty much an industry standard, my other bikes also call for 2 years
BLUEKNIGHT911
Sadly Passed Oct 2024 - RIP
BRAKE FLUID
I'm not even suggesting you don't change every two years , .... but this is a real life experience, my 2003 Toyt. Tacoma had the fluid changed in 2006 @ 41,567 mi. ( By the previous owner )....... It's now 3-22-18 ( 12 years later :yikes: ) @ 235,000+ mi. and that fluid is still in the system ...... I have topped it off ( about once a year ) but the brakes work fine and there haven't been any leaks..... .........On another topic, many folks here report they change their wheel bearings at EVERY tire change...... yet the amount of BEARING failures reported here , well I can't remember reading about one.......... good luck ....Mike :thumbup:
I'm not even suggesting you don't change every two years , .... but this is a real life experience, my 2003 Toyt. Tacoma had the fluid changed in 2006 @ 41,567 mi. ( By the previous owner )....... It's now 3-22-18 ( 12 years later :yikes: ) @ 235,000+ mi. and that fluid is still in the system ...... I have topped it off ( about once a year ) but the brakes work fine and there haven't been any leaks..... .........On another topic, many folks here report they change their wheel bearings at EVERY tire change...... yet the amount of BEARING failures reported here , well I can't remember reading about one.......... good luck ....Mike :thumbup:
jcthorne
Well-known member
Mike, I strongly disagree with what you are trying to say here. The 12 year old fluid in your Toyota is downright dangerous and I don't want to be on the road with you. On other topics you have been one of the most conservative safety proponents in this forum. I was quite surprised at this post.
In a Spyder, the fluid is SPENT by two years. It gets HOT and not just from the brakes, look where your master cylinder and lines run. Its absorbs water and becomes compressible. A large percentage of the 'Brake Failure' warnings on Spyders are from spent brake fluid.
If the bike gets driven much at all, at 2 yrs the fluid is DONE, at 3 yrs its doing damage. If you do the work yourself, it costs less than $10 to flush the system with fresh fluid. At a dealer its less than 1 hour labor. Its also a necessary part of a brake job.
KX5062
Active member
One bottle is plenty.
Part of the reason for the need for fluid change is the braking system is an open system. Meaning the master cylinder reservoir is open to the ambient air by way of a (large) vent in the cap. It is also positioned low and to the rear of the bike, which allows a lot of intrusion of moisture and dust kicked up from the rear tire. The F3 is completely different.
At the very least, you need to get a suction device of some sort and remove the old fluid from the master cylinder reservoir and replace it with new fresh fluid. Being careful to not take the fluid too low and expose the intake port to air. The reservoir is the source of the contamination. The fluid in the lines is relatively unaffected. I'm not recommending this per se, but it is an option.
DOT3 absorbs less water than DOT4, but has a lower boiling point. However, there are several brands of low moisture absorbing DOT4 brake fluid on the market, which is what I recommend.
Do not use DOT5 or DOT5.1 unless you know the difference between all of them.
BLUEKNIGHT911
Sadly Passed Oct 2024 - RIP
BRAKE FLIUD
:yikes::yikes::yikes::yikes::yikes:..........JC - did you read my first sentence or just decided to forget I said it ????:banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead: and How can you KNOW what I was " trying to say " do you have a CRYSTAL BALL ?????? ........... Mike :thumbup:
Brake fluid draws moisture which can cause corrosion to the internals of the system, not a good thing. I restore old bikes for giggles and one thing that ALWAYS needs rebuilt or replaced is the master cylinders and calipers because of the corrosion and rock hard crud caused by neglect.
jcthorne
Well-known member
Your presented 'real life experience' is in error. The 12 year old fluid in your Toyota that you claim is 'fine' is not. Its contaminated and unsafe. You present this experience as an alternative view to the requirement of changing fluid every two years.
Your intent was clear and its outright wrong and dangerous to suggest folks not change the fluid. You not changing fluid in your Toyota is negligent and advertising it on a public forum....well.
lewisalice
New member
I do not know anyone who does the brake fluid on there cars unless the master cylinder or caliper brakes so you need to stay off the road because according to you most cars are unsafe. Now my Spyder is going on 5 years and I just noticed about the fluid change but guess what the spyder brakes are running great. I will at my next service get it done.
GearHd
New member
I changed mine at 3 years and 10k miles and the stuff looked about like drain oil. I went though almost two 12oz bottles before I got everything to run nice and clean. I sucked the reservoirs empty with vacuum bleeder first, topped up with clean fluid, then pumped clean fluid through until I pulled clean fluid through each bleeder.
jcthorne
Well-known member
Suppose I should not be surprised how many folks completely neglect basic maintenance on their vehicles. I assure you, mine do not run 12 years without a brake fluid flush.
GearHd
New member
That's usually the mentality of the people who think they can do their own service but are too scared or don't have the knowledge to venture out from the standard oil change. If you were to bring your vehicle back to the dealership for its regular services they'd most definitely be changing your brake fluid every 2 years. Back in day before all the complex braking systems you could get away with that stuff, now a days you can't. Look at the HUGE Harley recall from people that weren't properly changing their brake fluid.
lewisalice
New member
I never service my own bike always bring it to the dealer
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