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 Post subject: Brake & Power Steering Fluid
PostPosted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 3:54 pm 
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Posts: 129
General maintenance questions for these two fluids. I have not seen anything on this site regarding the maintenance of these components and the fluids involved. Does one need to take Jeep to a mechanic to change the fluids? Do the fluids need to be changed or just maintained at the proper level? Any in site or procedures if possible would be appreciated. Thanks.

Peace.


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 Post subject: Re: Brake & Power Steering Fluid
PostPosted: Sun Jan 15, 2012 10:02 am 
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Joined: Sun Dec 18, 2011 1:15 pm
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Location: Eastern US
thomas04 wrote:
General maintenance questions for these two fluids. I have not seen anything on this site regarding the maintenance of these components and the fluids involved. Does one need to take Jeep to a mechanic to change the fluids? Do the fluids need to be changed or just maintained at the proper level? Any in site or procedures if possible would be appreciated. Thanks.

Peace.....

....through superior firepower! :) (forgive me, couldn't resist)

I cannot speak to PS fluid (which is ATF +4,) but I have some experience with brakes.

Stock Dot-4 brake fluid IMO should be replaced yearly. It absorbs moisture through the plastic reservoir over time, which lowers the boiling point of the brake fluid. This can be a problem if you do a lot of trailer towing or other severe driving, as I do, so I decided several years ago to switch the fleet to a better fluid.

I have replaced the stock brake fluid with ATE super blue Dot4. It's compatible with other Dot-4 fluids, but has less moisture absorption, higher BP in service and other desirable characteristics. It's more expensive, but it comes in a metal can which prevent moisture uptake through the bottle, which means the fluid you get is the fluid they made, i.e. dry. I am convinced that this stuff actually saves money over the long haul by reducing the need for caliper rebuilds over time, and I *know* it reduces brake fade on steep downgrades when towing.

I'm also going to look into speed bleed screws for the calipers.

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 Post subject: Re: Brake & Power Steering Fluid
PostPosted: Sun Jan 15, 2012 8:36 pm 
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Actually these day's water in the brake fluid is not much of a concern.The big concern is from the use of aluminum in the system.Most shops use brake fluid test strips that measure copper content,more copper present more corrosion taking place and time to replace the brake fluid.


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 Post subject: Re: Brake & Power Steering Fluid
PostPosted: Sun Jan 15, 2012 11:33 pm 
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Joined: Mon Feb 06, 2006 12:24 pm
Posts: 902
I try to flush brake fluid every 2 years. Its a requirement for VW vehicles to do so at this interval and good enough for me. As for powersteering fluid, every couple of oil changes, I siphon out what I can from the reservoir and poor fresh fluid in. Not as good as a complete flush but better than what most folks do. Now, if I can only get in the habit of diff fluid as often as I should then I'd be ok.....only my rear diff fluid seemed shot at 50k miles but front and center looked brand new...but I didn't do a UOA so doesn't mean anything...


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