Flushing 02 Silverado brake system

[Black02Silverado]

This covers flushing the brake system on a 2002 Silverado Z71. Most systems should be similar. It is way overdue since I have never done it and the truck is 9 years old and has 89k miles on it.

Tools needed:
Pela Fluid extractor or old turkey baster
Motive Brake Bleeder
10mm box end wrench, for bleeders at each wheel
22mm impact socket for wheel lug nuts. Each vehicle may vary.
Half inch drive impact wrench or a half inch breaker bar
Vehicle lift or floor jack and four jack stands to support vehicle

Supplies:
1 liter of DOT 3 or DOT 4 brake fluid of your choice.

Here is what I used, it is Super Blue DOT 4 fluid. Reason for using it is that it makes for easier changes. Once the fluid turns blue at the bleeder you know you have fresh fluid. Here also is the catch bottle, Motive bleeder and the Pela fluid extractor.

http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab323/rat407/TMC/How%20to/Brake%20fluid%20change/Brakefluid016.jpg

http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab323/rat407/TMC/How%20to/Brake%20fluid%20change/Brakefluid004.jpg

http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab323/rat407/TMC/How%20to/Brake%20fluid%20change/Brakefluid006.jpg

Now to get your vehicle up in the air and all four wheels off. I used my scissor lift and places a floor jack under it for added safety. Yes my name is on the jack stand. My dad bought them for me and he put my name on them.

http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab323/rat407/TMC/How%20to/Brake%20fluid%20change/Brakefluid011.jpg

Once it is up in the air go ahead and take the wheels off. Here is my tools of choice.
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab323/rat407/TMC/How%20to/Brake%20fluid%20change/Brakefluid010.jpg

Now I found out the hard way after getting started that my one bleeder screw didn't want to loosen. I had to chisel it to get it loose. Needless to say I had to remove it and go by a new one. So before you get started it would be a good idea to go around to all the bleeder screws and make sure you can loosen them. Also note in the pictures to place the bleeder cap somewhere you will remember. I put the ones up front on the top ball joint zerk fitting.

http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab323/rat407/TMC/How%20to/Brake%20fluid%20change/Brakefluid041.jpg

Clean off your master cylinder reservoir. Don't need dirt to get into the brake system.

http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab323/rat407/TMC/How%20to/Brake%20fluid%20change/Brakefluid008.jpg

Now extract the old brake fluid. I used my Pela extractor but an old turkey baster. You can use the one from the kitchen, but don't let the wife find out. It would be a good idea not to try and return it. Just consider it a new tool in your tool box now. :lol:
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab323/rat407/TMC/How%20to/Brake%20fluid%20change/Fuelfilter013.jpg


Now fill the bleeder with fresh brake fluid. I only use 1 liter and by the time I was all done I used the entire liter. Different vehicles may vary.

http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab323/rat407/TMC/How%20to/Brake%20fluid%20change/Brakefluid019.jpg

Now hook up the bleeder to the master cylinder reservoir. Make sure everything is tight and pump the Motive Bleeder to 15psi

http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab323/rat407/TMC/How%20to/Brake%20fluid%20change/Brakefluid022.jpg

Now start at the wheel farthest away from the master cylinder which is the right rear wheel and hook up the catch bottle. I got this one online with the magnet on it. It works great. Put your 10mm box end wrench on the bleeder screw and then attach the hose to the catch bottle. Then loosen the bleeder enough to let the brake fluid flow into the bottle. Once the fluid changes from nasty brown to blue, close the bleeder. Keep the catch hose and bottle higher than the bleeder screw. That way you can see if you have any air in the lines and when the air is no longer in the fluid then you know you are good.

http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab323/rat407/TMC/How%20to/Brake%20fluid%20change/Brakefluid023.jpg

Now move to the left rear and repeat. Keep an eye on the Motive bleeder to make sure you have enough brake fluid and the pressure stays up around 15psi. If it goes down no problem, just pump it back up.

Here is the right front wheel. You can see the dirty fluid start to flow into the bottle. You can see where I put the bleeder screw on the top ball joint zerk.

http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab323/rat407/TMC/How%20to/Brake%20fluid%20change/Brakefluid026.jpg

Here it is when the blue fluid started to flow into the bottle. This wheel is done. :)
Note how much fluid in the bottle before the fresh fluid started coming out.

http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab323/rat407/TMC/How%20to/Brake%20fluid%20change/Brakefluid028.jpg

OK the wife came into the garage and wanted to go to lunch. So here is my lunch break. Went to Wendy's and I had the Baconator value meal and a Frosty-Cino. :thumbs:

http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab323/rat407/TMC/How%20to/Brake%20fluid%20change/Brakefluid039.jpg

Here is my home made stand that my dad made from an old brake rotor and some pipe. I use as shown and to hold my oil drain pan under my vehicles when I use the scissor lift to change the oil.

http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab323/rat407/TMC/How%20to/Brake%20fluid%20change/Brakefluid040.jpg

Ok once you are all done by bleeding the R/R wheel first, then the L/R and then the R/F and then the L/F you can go ahead and let the pressure off the Motive Bleeder. As you can see in this shot the master cylinder reservoir is just below the max fill line once I released the pressure. Remove the bleeder and put the reservoir cap on and your all done.

http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab323/rat407/TMC/How%20to/Brake%20fluid%20change/Brakefluid045.jpg

Now to put the wheels back on and this would be a good time to rotate those tires if they need it. When you put the lug nuts back on make sure you tighten them in a star pattern as shown.
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab323/rat407/TMC/How%20to/Brake%20fluid%20change/Brakefluid046.jpg
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab323/rat407/TMC/How%20to/Brake%20fluid%20change/Brakefluid047.jpg
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab323/rat407/TMC/How%20to/Brake%20fluid%20change/Brakefluid048.jpg
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab323/rat407/TMC/How%20to/Brake%20fluid%20change/Brakefluid049.jpg
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab323/rat407/TMC/How%20to/Brake%20fluid%20change/Brakefluid050.jpg
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab323/rat407/TMC/How%20to/Brake%20fluid%20change/Brakefluid051.jpg

Then lower the vehicle so that the wheels have weight and go around and torque your lug nuts. Mine called for 140ftlbs. Make sure you use the star pattern again and pull on the torque wrench, not push on it. I have the break away wrench. Once you hear the click your done. No need to double click, but you can if you want. :)

http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab323/rat407/TMC/How%20to/Brake%20fluid%20change/Brakefluid054.jpg

Now put the lug nut covers back on. Just tighten them hand tight. No need to torque them.

http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab323/rat407/TMC/How%20to/Brake%20fluid%20change/Brakefluid062.jpg

My daughter came home from school and grabbed my camera without me knowing it and got this shot. She is a sneaky kid! :lol:

http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab323/rat407/TMC/How%20to/Brake%20fluid%20change/Brakefluid059.jpg

Now would be a good time to take care of your air tool. Don't forget to oil it up before you put it away. :thumbs:

http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab323/rat407/TMC/How%20to/Brake%20fluid%20change/Brakefluid052.jpg
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab323/rat407/TMC/How%20to/Brake%20fluid%20change/Brakefluid053.jpg

Now put away all your tools, pour the old brake fluid back into the empty brake fluid can and dispose of properly.

Wash up, sit back and drink a cold one. Job well done! :cheers:

I didn't use AMSOIL brake fluid because I already bought the Super Blue before AMSOIL came out with their brake fluid. :)

[Bigredmariner]

Damn nice write up Nick, thanks a lot man.:thumbs:

[Black02Silverado]

I'll get my transmission filter change on here tomorrow as well as the corvette servo. I'm tired and going to bed. Tomorrow is gym day, which means 0345 gets here quick. :lol:

[daddy]

Great write-up!!! :thumbs:

[Cashezo]

Excellent write up! :cheers:

[Draenor]

AWESOME!!:thumbs:

I have been really wanting a Motive bleeder for a long time now. That looks so much easier than the ol dump and pump.

Quicky, Why didnt you put in a speed bleeder? ( I assume the store or your parts bin didn't have any)

[BlackStallion29]

You're the man Nick. Very nice write up. :thumbs:

[bubbatrucklover]

Nice write up and good reminder to those who weren't taught right on the star pattern tighten, or go from a 5 lug to 6 lug .:thumbs:

[Zembonez]

THANKS MAN!

I love the lug nut pattern pics! :thumbs:

Thanks for the write-up.

[drperry]

Is the AMSOIL brake fluid a funky cool color? :thumbs:

[Carolinaboy]

Nick Great Write-Up ! You have a link to that motive unit you used? I know our vehicles differ but I would think it would be similar in general

Thanks! :thumbs:

[Carolinaboy]

I found this kit is this the stuff you used?

http://www.amazon.com/Motive-Products-Custom-Power-Bleeder/dp/B0002KM5M4

the "Frequently Bought together" section

How much of the brake fluid did you use?

[Wyley87]

Im Making my own :D


http://faculty.ccp.edu/faculty/dreed...eder/index.htm (http://faculty.ccp.edu/faculty/dreed/campingart/jettatech/bleeder/index.htm)

Also whats so special about the blue brake fluid?

[drperry]

Im Making my own :D


http://faculty.ccp.edu/faculty/dreed...eder/index.htm (http://faculty.ccp.edu/faculty/dreed/campingart/jettatech/bleeder/index.htm)

Also whats so special about the blue brake fluid?


It's blue :lol:

[Wyley87]

i figured as much :)

[Carolinaboy]

Im Making my own :D


http://faculty.ccp.edu/faculty/dreed...eder/index.htm (http://faculty.ccp.edu/faculty/dreed/campingart/jettatech/bleeder/index.htm)

Also whats so special about the blue brake fluid?

I think so you can see the new fluid compared to the old

[Wyley87]

where can u get it besides the internet?

[drperry]

Local performance/speed shops might have it :dunno:

[Black02Silverado]

Im Making my own :D


http://faculty.ccp.edu/faculty/dreed...eder/index.htm (http://faculty.ccp.edu/faculty/dreed/campingart/jettatech/bleeder/index.htm)

Also whats so special about the blue brake fluid?


It's blue :lol:

Yeah, the fluid is blue which makes it easier to see when the new stuff hits the container at the wheel you are bleeding. I bought it before AMSOIL came out with their brake fluid.

I used just about one entire Liter. That was the size of the can since it is from Germany. So one quart of brake fluid should be enough in American standards. :lol:

I though about making my own but was lazy and got this one online for a good price. I can't find the link so not sure what I paid for it back over a year ago. I also got a cap to work with my 91 Jetta's master cylinder and my 65 Impala's as well.

In the one link that shows how to make one, if you use a standard pressure gage like from a pool supply store that is use on pool pump filters that would work to let you know the pressure inside the container instead of the air valve they used.

[Wyley87]

yup i can prob get a gauge at work