Brake Maintenance Questions

I want to get into maintaining my own brakes, since it will save money. I have changed front calipers and pads once before on my friend's car.

I see it is recommended to change the fluid as well, I was wondering how you do this? Is it generally the same for all vehicles? I imagine you will have to bleed all 4 wheels. Can they be bled one at a time, or do you need 5 people? And do you have to bleed the master cylinder? Also if you can bleed wheels 1 at a time, should you recheck each after you're done with them all to make sure air hasn't move from one line to another, or will this not happen?

Also my friend's father told me the bleeder screws usually get stuck and break easily when you try to open them, and then you need to get new calipers. Is there any truth to this, and what precautions should be taken? What penetrating fluid, if any, should be used?

Thanks!

I definately recommend flusing the system every few years.

I think you can do it with a vaccum bleeder if you have a compressor. If not, just do a few rounds at each wheel, one at a time, checking the master every so often. If it goes dry, you'll have alot more work on your hands.

As long as you don't let it run out, I don't see a need to bleed the master if you're just flushing the fluid.

Soak the bleeders in PB Blaster or something like it and take it easy when you break them loose. If you strip them, you can get new screws. Just don't break them.

here's a fairly good write up on bleeding brakes. Some people try to make it sound overly complex. Its actually very simple and straight forward.....ASSUMING you don't get air in the system.

http://www.zeckhausen.com/bleeding_brakes.htm

Air in the system can be frustrating, and is definitely best avoided. If you are careful, there is no worries on that when just doing a flush.

Some ABS equipped cars/trucks can be difficult to flush and bleed, careful here.

Consider converting to DOT 5 silicone fluid. Unlike regular fluid, it does not attract moisture and generally never needs flushing again. The entire brake system needs to be drained and flushed (with alcohol, I believe) to remove all the old fluid, before DOT 5 is added.

Some people feel that DOT 5 fluid might alter the brake performance slightly, and the fluid itself is pretty expensive. It's best for cars that do not see much use, but you are planning to keep for a long time.

Aren't the rubber parts in brakes not good with silicone fluid? I didn't think you could do that.