finally got down the priority list to the brake fluid replacement.
I had 4 new speed bleeder screws ready to replace the existing ones, and all went well except for the LR, where the PO had replaced the caliper with a non compliant part with different (metric) thread on the bleed screw. I really love speed bleed screws, they change brake bleeding from an arduous PITA 2 person chore into a half hour routine one person job. I've tried vacuum, I've tried pressurizing caps, and this is the best and easiest way bar none. Quick, neat, no fluid drips, and nothing that will upset ABS systems. It makes it easy to do your yearly brake bleeding. I usually do my vehicles in the spring, after the winter and before the heat and stress of long summer trips, usually towing something heavy, but I knew that the Jeep had not seen new brake fluid in a long time, so I did this while it was still cold.
Based on what I saw, I suspect that the PO NEVER changed the brake fluid, even after replacing the caliper. I know no self-respecting professional mechanic would have done that, so my expectation is that the PO never read the maintenance schedule, or simply did not care. I am probably going to order replacement calipers all around and replace them when I do the pads and rotors later in the spring, because I have no confidence in the condition of the existing calipers, and I am planning on mountain towing. I like vehicles to go as they should, but as I get older, I've begun to value STOPPING power more.
The old fluid was so saturated that it floated on top of the ATE Super Blue fluid I used, which I have never seen to this extent before. Then again, I have never run brake fluid for 7 years, either.
Before I started using ATE, I changed brake fluid yearly. Now, I change it every 2 years or 30K miles, or prior to component replacement. When I factor in my time and the increased service life, I think the ATE is cheaper over the life of the vehicle and performs better to boot.
I don't own any stock and have no financial stake in either of these firms, but I really like both the speed bleeders and the ATE fluid. Highly recommended.