its a 2003 Ford Taurus. I have owned vehicles now for almost 30 years and have never heard of this. Is he trying to scam me? I cannot find another place in Milwaukee that offers this service. But I do not want to have an accident cuz my brakes dont work. Isn't $200 alot for basically an "oil" change for my brakes? I am not your typical female driver, I have personally rebuilt the brake system from Master cylinder all the way back incl. the drums and pads on an 88 Olds 98. And the oil on the Taurus has been changed every 2500 miles.
Thanks
2007-05-11 04:40:47 · 11 answers · asked by ticklemisilly 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Well if you've done the work in the past, you really should know that $200 is quite high. For $200 I'd expect a full brake job on all 4 wheels, rotors and drums turned as well as the brake flush.
Brake fluid is hydroscopic, so over time it will absorb moisture from the air, and I do change out my brake fluid in my vehicles every 3-4 years. Brake fluid should be clear, and look very close to water. If your brake fluid looks dirty or black it may be a good idea to change out and get your brake fluid flushed.
That said, a brake fluid flush should only cost $50-$75. It's a little more work than a simple oil change as you have to bleed the calipers and cylinders, but not much more work..
For $200, did you have a leaking caliper or slave cylinder that was being replaced? Was the quote for a full brake job? If not, get another price quote from another location.
2007-05-11 05:03:34 · answer #1 · answered by hsueh010 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unfortunately brake fluid (not oil, fluid) does absorb moisture from the air, and since the fluid is lighter than water, the water winds up in the lowest part of the system, typically the wheel cylinders. Since brakes use friction to stop, and friction makes heat, the water vapor can boil at 212 degrees F and cause spongy brakes, or complete failure. So yes, fluid should be changed, probably on a yearly basis.
That being said, $200 seems a bit pricey. First you suck as much as you can out of the master cylinder. Use something like a turkey baster to get it out. Refill with clean new fluid that meets the manufacturers specifications, usually DOT II or DOT III fluid. Then starting furthest away, bleed the brakes until you get clean new fluid out of the bleeder. Keep the master cylinder topped off, repeat for the other wheels. When the closest wheel has new clean fluid, top it off one last time and smile, thinking of all the money you just saved.
2007-05-11 11:55:13 · answer #2 · answered by oklatom 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes it is a BIG scam used by Just Brakes, Quick Lube and other chains. They will show you "contaminated" blackish brake fluid and tell you you need to change it to the "clean" new fluid.
Ask them since it is a sealed hydraulic system and not ever near any heat what made it go bad? Also ask why your maintenance manual never requires it why should you change it?
Truth is if they change it it will look just like it does now in less then 3 months. The color comes from the rubber parts that the fluid comes in contact with
Damn crooks try to scare women telling them their brakes will go out if they don't do so and so. These guys ought to be ashamed of themselves but they do it every day
2007-05-11 11:58:14 · answer #3 · answered by cdavidjam 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its "brake fluid" not brake oil and flushing a brake system is routine maintenance. Some manufacturers, like Honda for example, recommend flushing brake fluid every 30k miles. Others don't, mostly it seems due to liability concerns.
$200 for a brake fluid flush by itself is outrageous however. In the Milwaukee market this should be about a $75-80 job.
2007-05-11 12:38:33 · answer #4 · answered by Naughtums 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unless there is some drastic contamination in the brake fluid, I don't know of any reason that it would need to be changed. Brake fluid is not like motor oil. It doesn't get dirty or break down. The brakes are a closed system and unless there is a leak or a way for something to get into the system there should be no need to change it.
Bottom line. Sounds like you are being scammed.
2007-05-11 11:46:49 · answer #5 · answered by Mark B 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Sounds like a shady carx worker. As far as I know, brakes need brake fluid, not oil. Would you really want OIL on your brakes? How would you stop? Maybe your brake fluid is dirty and needs to be changed. Should only cost about 30-40 bucks for that though. Go somewhere else!
2007-05-11 11:55:01 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are going to look for another place to have it flushed yes that's all you need and $200 is way to much for a flush for a break system I live here in Ga, and I think its about $25-30 dollars , There are places all around here you just have to look, good luck let me know, Buy the way break fluid is not changed like oil ,Watch out.
2007-05-11 11:49:36 · answer #7 · answered by JT B ford man 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
brake fluid only needs to be replaced if you have a bad master cylinder or a leak somewhere in the pipes, but that would be more work than just to change the fluid, sounds like a scam to me
2007-05-11 11:48:57 · answer #8 · answered by Frank K 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Do it yourself, this guy is a hack, there should be no oil in the brakes , only brake fluid.
You either need to find a real shop, or just do it yourself, if you are comfortable doing it.
2007-05-11 11:49:37 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i agree. For some reason some mechanics believe that because you are a woman they can pull the wool over your eyes.
2007-05-11 11:48:42 · answer #10 · answered by erickarp03 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋