One more brake fluid question March 25, 2003, 05:10:49 pm Yahoo Message Number: 20278How much is needed? I'm taking Gertie in for maintenance tomorrow, and I bought what looks like about a liter and a half of Castrol LMA DOT 4 fluid as recommended here--a big bottle and a smaller one; I can't tell you the exact sizes 'cause they're out in Gertie--but then began to wonder whether that was enough. I suppose if it isn't, I can just tell them to start with this and top off with whatever they have on hand, but can anybody set me straight on how much brake fluid is needed for a 22' 1984 Chevy chassis?Andy Baird :-)
Re: One more brake fluid question Reply #1 – March 25, 2003, 06:15:29 pm Yahoo Message Number: 20281Quoteenough. I suppose if it isn't, I can just tell them to start with this and top off with Quotewhatever they have on hand, but can anybody set me straight on how much brake fluid is needed for a 22' 1984 Chevy chassis?Andy Baird :-) Can't tell you how much, Andy, but a good flushing always uses a lot more than just system capacity. Above all, don't have them 'top off' with whatever they have. Use just the one type, and always use fresh for flushing. Buy a few more small cans, if necessary - they keep fine if the seal is intact, and you might be able to return unused ones.Steve
Re: One more brake fluid question Reply #2 – March 25, 2003, 07:11:22 pm Yahoo Message Number: 20284"Above all, don't have them 'top off' with whatever they have. Use just the one type, and always use fresh for flushing." I thought from what was said in earlier posts that all DOT 3 and 4 brake fluids were mixable--required by law...no? Are you saying that if I don't have enough of the Castrol LMA fluid, it would be dangerous to combine it with any other type? In that case I would have to tell them to use whatever they have, and not use this Castrol at all. :-( "Buy a few more small cans, if necessary - they keep fine if the seal is intact, and you might be able to return unused ones." I bought all my local NAPA dealer had of the Castrol LMA fluid: about a quart and a half. Would have bought more if they'd had it...but now it's too late to shop for more elsewhere, as I'm taking Gertie in at 8:00 a.m. tomorrow.Andy Baird :-)
Re: One more brake fluid question Reply #3 – March 26, 2003, 01:30:27 am Yahoo Message Number: 20301QuoteI thought from what was said in earlier posts that all DOT 3 and 4 brake fluids Quotewere mixable--required by law...no? Are you saying that if I don't have enough Quoteof the Castrol LMA fluid, it would be dangerous to combine it with any other Quotetype? In that case I would have to tell them to use whatever they have, and notQuoteuse this Castrol at all. :-( They are 'mixable' in the sense that they have compatible ingredients, but they are not the same. Over time, there is no way to know if you may have compromised the durability and performance of the fluid by mixing. This is not such a big issue when the fluid has 20k miles on it and you want to top off - the new fluid can only improve the mix. You don't want to start off a complete flushout with a mix, though. You also don't want any fluid added from an open can - one whose history is unknown. Open brake fluid absorbs moisture. Ask the shop if what you have is enough, it may be. If not, they may be able to send someone to get some from their source. If all else fails, at least make sure they open a fresh can of whatever to finish the job.Steve
Brake (and other) fluid question - servicing Reply #4 – March 26, 2003, 08:46:49 am Yahoo Message Number: 20304Andy posted a very timely topic - we need to have the brake fluid flushed on our 30IB (as well as a coolant flush). The nearest Ford dealer that services motorhomes is about 1 1/2 hours away. Obviously just about any servicer can do a coolant flush, although it might be a pain if it needs to be done in the parking lot because the rig won't fit in a service bay.But what about the brake service? Does one set of the rear duals need to be pulled to expose the brake drum and lines, and if so, does that mean we're best off with a place that has a MH-capable lift?In an interesting twist of the question - if a lift isn't required, can a mobile fleet servicer handle this type of maintenance work? We have one based fairly close to where we live.Thanks,Michelle
Re: Brake (and other) fluid question - servicing Reply #5 – March 26, 2003, 02:31:23 pm Yahoo Message Number: 20320Michelle, Mobile fleet service providers can do both of those things for you it just depends on the company if they will or not. My mechanics don't put most motorhomes on lifts or bring them into their bays. They jack them up and use jack stands and a creeper to get under them when needed. Ford dealers and many other places don't want to work on vehicles if they can't put them on a lift and stand to do the work but many mechanics have no problem using the old fashioned methods. I would call them and ask. The worse that can happen is they tell you NO they can't do it for you. I wouldn't consider it a wasted call because how else would you know?Mike
Re: Brake (and other) fluid question - servicing Reply #6 – March 26, 2003, 03:13:52 pm Yahoo Message Number: 20326Thanks Mike,On a "whim" I called the Ford/LM dealer I just bought my car from - they just moved into new buildings so I called to see if they could handle a motorhome. No lift for it, but the service manager said "no problem" to doing it the old fashioned way. I got lucky, I think. The service advisor I spoke to also owns an E450-based class C (not a LD) and knew what was involved. I also mentioned I'd just bought a car from them, so they might be wanting to make a good impression. I'm gonna be VERY curious to see what kind of impression the LD makes on the service advisor.... ;-)Michelle
Re: Brake (and other) fluid question - servicing Reply #7 – March 26, 2003, 04:02:30 pm Yahoo Message Number: 20328Michelle,You may get sticker shock when you find out the Ford dealer's price to do that service. I was going to have the Ford dealer do my brake fluid flush when I went in to get the leak problem checked UNTIL I heard the price! They charge $139.00! Dealers are NOT always the best place for service. Make sure to ask them first what they charge before you get the bill and fall over from shock.Mike
Re: Brake (and other) fluid question - servicing Reply #8 – March 26, 2003, 05:39:45 pm Yahoo Message Number: 20331For what it's worth, one quart of Castrol LMA brake fluid was sufficient to flush and refill Gertie's brake system this morning, leaving me with an unopened 12-oz. bottle to carry as a spare. I also had the oil and filter changed, cooling system flushed, upper and lower radiator hoses and two belts replaced...and a new water pump put in, because the old one's front bearing was pretty much shot, according to the mechanic. The Chevy 350's four (!) belts put a fair amount of side thrust on that bearing, which undoubtedly shortens its lifespan.Still have to un-winterize, but I'm getting there. ;-)Andy Baird :-)
Re: Brake (and other) fluid question - servicing Reply #9 – March 27, 2003, 10:22:40 am Yahoo Message Number: 20357Mike,Actually, I was pleasantly surprised - we dropped it off last night and they called this AM - brake flush, coolant flush, tranny flush, new fuel filter = $226.92. Even if it had been a little higher, I liked the peace of mind that if they screwed something up, at least they were a Ford dealer so Ford would make it right.I doubt they did the courtesy vacuuming, though, and boy the rig could have used it ;-)Michelle
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