Flushing Brake Lines or Flushing My Wallet?

[Coldfinger]

The local Toyota dealer service advisor told me I should have my brake lines flushed and cleaned as part of routine service at 90,000 miles. I told them I already replaced the brake fluid, which I did by bleeding each caliper till fresh came out.

He told me their flush uses special cleaners that clean out the lines before they put new fluid in.

I can't imagine what kind of cleaner they could run through an entire brake system and be able to get all the cleaner out before they fill with brake fluid.

I didn't ask how much $, but I should have.

Anyone have info on this?

 

[ArcticBoy]

Have em tighten the muffler bearings too.

 

[Pimp Daddy]

Toyota promotes preventative maintenace because thats their bread and butter. You never hear of Toyotas having any major mechanical work done, especially under warranty so the way the dealers make their money is through preventative maintenace like oil changes, transmission flushes, cooling system flushes and brake line flushes. Now, is it necessary? That's a question that a lot of people have been asking lately. I know the fluid in my truck has been in there since 1998, the fluid in my dad's truck has been in there since 1993. Both stop just fine. But they are both Dodges. Does that make a difference? I doubt it.

 

[JesseJames]

Brake line flush?? Hahaha. How many old pickups from the 70's are still on the road with the original brake fluid in them? Probably lots. Just a new scam to take your money. As far as I'm concerned, trying to sell people unneeded service work like this is stealing, plain and simple. Jesse.

 

[Aug]

Don't forget to check the blinker fluid

 

[High Velocity]

Being a licensed mechanic, I do agree with a brake system flush on a vehicle that has close to 100,000 miles on it. However when we did flushes at the VW/ Audi dealer I used to work at, there were no special cleaners involved. We just hooked up the pressure bleeder full of new, clean brake fluid and bled at each wheel until clean fluid came out. It wasn't an expensive job and well worth it. Brake fluid absorbs a lot of moisture and over time, this causes rust and corrosion inside the brake system's hydraulic components. I've replaced many, many wheel cylinders, master cylinders, etc, etc over the years that were very rusty or full of crud on the inside. Flushes still won't make the components last forever. They will, however, extend the life of brake hydraulic components substantially. Your call..... If the vehicle is a long-term investment, I'd highly recommend it. If you turn over your vehicles in five years or less, you'll likely not see the moisture-related problems anyways.

 

[skidoorulz]

I am the second owner of a 1964 Ford pickup that I have owned since 1980. The original owner was a relative. I know for a fact it has never had the brake system flushed. Seems to me that this kind of maintenance is a way for dealerships to make incredible amounts of money. What they charge for these things is outrageous. Dealer tried to talk me into flushing the power steering on my pickup at 40k. I said no thanks

 

[Snoboner]

Just had my Piston Return Springs replaced. I can really feel the difference. Wish I could afford it for my sled!

 

[94fordguy]

Darn You!

Don't forget to check the blinker fluid

I was gonna say that

Also, have them check the air pressure in your headlights... Very Important

Your call..... If the vehicle is a long-term investment, I'd highly recommend it. If you turn over your vehicles in five years or less, you'll likely not see the moisture-related problems anyways.

Good advice, however, with 181K miles on my truck, the brakes work fine, and I haven't had it done in all the years I have owned it

 

[TurboGuy800]

good advice but if you flush the fluid thats all that is needed not special anything. we own a shop and i sell brake flushes when the fluid is black, or has moisture, it should be cheap

 

[Chitown]

My wife has Toyota do all her maintanace. I just tell her have them call me to ok the work but they never due and when I hear the bull**** they say and try to get away with it pisses me off. Every time I go in to there service dept there is almost always someone new behind the desk? Last time they told her almost same thing, I went there and asked the gut right off the bat how long hes been there, 2 months , said where did you come from he said some school and prior to that he owned his own shop,ok. Then I asked him how he gets pai and oh yes wouldnt you know they make commision on what they sell. What do you call them , STEALERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SAve you money my cheap *** bro doesnt do much to his Toyotas and they last him through 200000 plus miles Denver driving.

 

[Mafesto]

I would do it if they agree to put winter air in your tires at half price!

 

[H2SNOW]

get em to set yer timing chain for Daylight savings while yer at it lmao

 

[milehighassassin]

You should change your fluid at some point. I don't think there is anything that will clean the line out, other than fresh fluid.

When you fluid starts to get dark it is past the time to change it. That means water has been obsorbed into the fluid, reducing braking ability and boil point of the fluid.

 

[High Velocity]

You should change your fluid at some point. I don't think there is anything that will clean the line out, other than fresh fluid.

When you fluid starts to get dark it is past the time to change it. That means water has been obsorbed into the fluid, reducing braking ability and boil point of the fluid.

You're on the right track, milehigh, but it seems 99.9% aren't. Most people have no clue that brake fluid changes are part of their scheduled maintenance. Like it or not, you should do it. I can't believe the number of people that whine about the cost of maintaining a vehicle.

 

[Magwood]

$

Waste of money @ 90k IMO

 

[Carp]

Honda recommends changing the brake fluid every 30,000 miles, it is part of their service recommendations. The reason on the Honda is they say that it gets exposed to the atmosphere and absorbs moisture. I have worked at Honda for 10 years and can tell you the fluid gets somewhat nasty even around 30,000. Honda says their master cylinder cap although it has a seal on it still lets some air into it and it will absorb moisture.
Do you have to do it? NO. Will you go way over 100,000 miles with your original fluid without problems? Probably.
If you want to perfectly maintain your vehicle as best you can you should change it. Have you ever looked at your brake fluid when new? Its nice and clear, after 30-40,000 miles it is dark. The heat from the brakes/rotors is transmitted to the fluid. I see a lot of sludge/slime type stuff in the Hondas. I would also recommend changing the power steering fluid sometimes too. The new fluid keeps the seals nice and soft and the friction modifiers break down over time.
Sometimes spending a few extra dollars up front keeps you from the expensive bills later, (master cylinder, wheel cylinders, calipers, rack and pinions, power steering pumps) A master cylinder repair at a Honda dealer will cost you around $300 bucks easy, yes you can get an Auto Zone for $75 and do it yourself and do it again in a year when it fails again. We don't do a lot of hydraulic brake repairs on Hondas I think that is because a lot of people do the services that Honda recommends which include the brake fluid replacement.

 

[Fosgate]

FOr people who trade or lease every 2 or 3yrs probably won't make a difference. If you want to drive it for several years, probably not a bad Idea. But I'm the type of guy who pulls my clutches and changes my fluids every year on my sled too vs they guy who's clutch goes nuclear and wonders why or calls the sled a POS because they don't do preventive maintenance.

 

[milehighassassin]

You're on the right track, milehigh, but it seems 99.9% aren't. Most people have no clue that brake fluid changes are part of their scheduled maintenance. Like it or not, you should do it. I can't believe the number of people that whine about the cost of maintaining a vehicle.

Pay me now or pay me at least double later.

 

[jim]

Too many factors determine this. How hot do you get your brakes? You ride them? Big hills and heat em' up? You live in a humid area? Etc, etc. If you flushed them till new fluid came out, you are good. Chit, I've seen brake fluid on small capacity dirt bike systems get mud, water dirt all around them and have them boiled over every other ride....still good to go. As long as you don't have leaks, you are good to go. Fresh fluid is a bonus. If it weren't for the heat and corrosion, you could use water basically (basically is the key word...just demonstrating that any fluid, which is inherently incompressible, makes brakes work).