One of the most common brake maintenance tasks is to flush and adjust the brake pads. But is a brake flush always necessary? And if so, when should it be done? In this article, we’ll explore the pros and cons of doing a brake flush, and tell you when it’s actually necessary.
When to change brake pads
A brake flush is not always necessary when changing pads, but it is recommended. Brake fluid can escape from the calipers and rotors if the old pads are not completely flushed with new pads. A brake flush also removes any residue from the previous brake pad installation that may have caused noise or vibration.
How often to flush a brake system
When replacing brake pads, a brake flush is typically not needed. Brake fluid is designed to resist boiling and will stay liquid at elevated temperatures. However, if your car has an anti-lock braking system (ABS), you should flush the system after every pad change to ensure proper function.
Signs your brake system needs flushing
If you’re noticing a decrease in braking power, or your car isn’t stopping as well as it used to, it may be time to flush your brake system. A brake flush is a simple, but necessary, procedure that cleans and lubricates your brake pads and discs.
How to do a brake flush
When changing pads on a car, it’s important to flush the brake system. You don’t need to do a brake flush when replacing rotors, since that only replaces the rotor surface. But you do need to flush the brake system when you replace pads because old pads can contain moisture which rusts and clogs your brake lines. Here’s how to do a brake flush:
1) Park your car in a safe place where you can easily access all of the brakes.
2) Remove the front and rear wheel covers.
3) Remove the four screws that hold the caliper brackets to the disc rotors.
4) Carefully pull off the calipers. Make sure you keep track of which bracket goes where since you will need to reattach them in reverse order later on.
5) Disconnect both hoses from each caliper (one on each side).
6) Pour a pot of boiling water into the drum brakes reservoir (or use antifreeze if your car has ABS).
7) Place the calipers and hoses into the hot water and let them soak for about 15 minutes.
8) Drain the water and place the calipers and