My 350Z is new.

When I install the big brake kit, do I need to flush the entire brake fluid system and replace it with DOT 4 brake fluid.

Or will just bleed the caliper and re use the factory brake fluid will do just fine? (basically putting the brake fluid that was bleed out of the caliper back into the master cyclider)

Some people say that is a BIG NO NO, since when ever the brake fluid meet air, it also touches water vaper, and that may condense into the brake fluid.

Other people say what ever comes with the car are good enough for street uses, and the brake fluid are less harsh on the rubber seal of the brake system.

So what do you guys say. Is it a must to replace ALL of the brake fluid, or just leave it as is?

Thanks guys.

 

To be safe, replace.

 

Dude, for 12$ a pint of fluid it ain't worth it. Go with a DOT 4 racing fluid. What kit did you get?

 

I havn't got it yet.

But the labor and the fluid (HKS DOT 4 Racing Brake Fluid) cost just a little over $115, which I thought it is kinda steep. Do you guys think it is about right?

Normally how much does it cost to flush the entire brake system. The Fluid (2 bottle), one for flush, one for fluid, cost about $60. The other $55 is labor, does that sound right? Or am I getting raped and should look for another shop?

 

You spent appx. $2,000.00 for BIG BRAKES, and you can't afford $60 for new fluid? I'm confused!

BTW, those prices are reasonable.

 

Thanks.

No, it isn't that I can't spend the money for the fluid, I just want to make sure I aren't getting raped by the shop just because I am driving a Z. (Not alot of Z where I live)

If those price sounds reasonable, then I will probably go ahead and do it then...I rather be safe then sorry. Not to mention I put in WAY too much into this car to go cheap on brake fluid.

Thanks guys.

 

You should bleed the whole system. Once you open the lines it will keep pouring out anyway. You should never reuse brake fluid. You have no idea what contaminents got into it from the bleed. DOT 3 or 4 is fine, you really don't need racing fluid. Besides it needs to be changed more often, so I've been told.

 

I im a firm believer of Valvoline synthetic brake fluid..

 

That's what I put in mine when I changed to SS brake lines. I still would like to get it pressure bled rather then the vacuum type I did. Pedal could be a little firmer I think.

 

Do NOT reuse the brake fluid that comes out of the caliper! That's a very basic rule. Brake fluid should never be reused.

Do you plan to race the car? Or is the brake kit going on a daily driver 350Z? If you are not racing, then your need for a high performance brake fluid is LESS than it was when you had stock brakes. The bigger rotors and calipers will run at a much lower temperature, assuming your driving (or more importantly, your braking) does not change. Everyone always asks me if they need exotic brake fluid when they install big brakes. It's just the opposite! If you try to run your stock brakes at the track, THAT's when you need exotic fluids like Castrol SRF or Motul 600.

Assuming you are just using this for a daily driver, the standard DOT 4 fluid that Nissan sells or the ordinary DOT 4 fluid you can buy at the local auto parts store will be just fine. $60 for two bottles of fluid seems very expensive. And you shouldn't need more than one liter, although there's always the chance they will use more when getting the air out of the front calipers.

You do know (or your installer does know) about the need to tilt the StopTech caliper so that it is vertical when you perform the first bleed? Otherwise there will be air bubbles trapped in the caliper piston bores. This is because of the orientation of the holes in the back of each piston bore relative to the orientation of the caliper as mounted on the 350Z.

 

Well, the store I brough my car to is pretty much one of the better tunner we have in this place.

So basically my choice of brake fluid is what they use on their race car, HKS. I guess the long it isn't overkill to the point where it will actually harm the brake in daily driving senerio (ie. DOT 5), then I am okay. Might as well use the best, I spend so much already.

What they are telling me is that they are going to use the HKS brake fluid to flush the entire brake system....then bleed out all the first content of the HKS brake fluid and put in new fluid and bleed again. Is that an overkill?

Just want to do it right...

It is better to pay once and do it right, then to pay twice and do it wrong. I learn that from my last car.

 

When you go to change the calipers out, and remove the brake lines, the fluid will start running out.

A little trick I do is to get a 2x4 or some kind of stick or board (I have used a snow brush before) and stick it between the seat and the brake pedal. (move the seat as nessary so that the pedal is held down enough to close off the supply holes from the master cylinder)
This way, only some of the fluid in the lines runs out, and the master cylinder doesn't drain.

On fluid, DO NOT reuse any brake fluid! Any contamination in your brake system is dangerous, and can be VERY costly to repair. Dot 3 is just fine for street. It has a lower boiling point than dot 4, but dot 4 absorbs moisture faster. (dot 4 should be changed every 2 years)

I would be carefull going to a silicone base fluid, as it can harm some brake systems.

Scott