Changiing Fluids

[jgeorg]

I'm just wondering if anyone has changed their power steering and brake fluid themselves. If so, was there much of a saving rather than having a garage do it. Was there any special equipment you needed or you would suggest to help make it easier? Just had a inspection done on my 91 Limited and the mechanic suggested to change these fluids. Just trying to save a buck!

[Smith1000]

I've never changed the brake fluid or power steering fluid in any vehicle I've had unless I was working on them and had to add fluid. Seems like changing the brake fluid would be a kind of a pain. I think I would just bleed the lines and keep adding fluid to the old. A can of brake fluid won't cost much. You'll have to have somebody pump the pedal or use one of those bleeder tools. I wonder if it's really necessary to change the brake fluid and power steering fluid. I think I'd pass on it.

['97ventureowner]

I have seen reccomendations that the brake fluid should be changed every 2 years. As brake fluid ages, it absorbs moisture and can cause corrosion within the brake system parts. Like Smith1000 said in the above post, brake fluid doesn't cost that much, and you can do it yourself with the help of another person. While changing the fluid, you can inspect the system to make sure everything looks all right, and that the bleeder screws function properly, (sometimes a problem in the northern states, and any state that salts the roads in the winter.) While I have seen the reccomendations, I don't know of anybody, (including myself) who regularly changes/flushes their brake fluid.