Powersteering Fluid In Brake Resivoir?

Question

I have a 96 Ford Explorer, disc brake all tha way around. Somebody put powersteering fluid in the brake resivoir, now the brakes are f'd in tha a. It's been sitting for about a year and a half, Nothing seems to be leaking, master cylinder still pushes out fluid, but sucks a big air buble and raises the fluid level up and down when the brake is pressed down, none of the calipers seems to be leaking, i was thinkin of replacing the master cylinder and seeing if i could get away with just replacing it since none of the other seals seems to be leaking. You can still bleed the brake system, no prob. I don't know, if i am going to have to replace the whole brake system, can abody give me a detailed list of what im going to have to replace.

Answer 1

In the old days they where interchangeable, the fluids that is. Just bleed out all the fluid and replace with brake fluid. Fill with brake fluid, bleed it out again, then refill and bleed correctly, should have no problem

Answer 2

Power steering fluid in Master Cylinder, this is what you need to do and what you will need to replace even though you see no leaks.

1. Master Cylinder
2. Both front Rubber Brake hoses
3. Both Front Calipers
4 Any rubber hose leading to rear brakes
5. If you have drums brakes in the Rear Both wheel Cylinders
6. If Discs Both Rear Calipers.
7. Your going to need to Flush all the old fluid out of every steel line .
Get Plenty of Good DOT3 or Four Brake fluid
and if possible use a power bleeder to bleed the air form the entire system if one is not available then Bench bleed the Master before installation, and gravity bleed the rest keeping the master full of fluid. And finally as a final step bleed the entire brake system in the proper sequence. and fill the master with the Correct Fluid DOT3 or DOT Four will work.
Do the Job right Don't just do enough to get by . peoples lives yours and others depend on you being able to stop .

Answer 3

Unless you opened the bleeder valves & pumped the power steering fluid to the wheel cylinders or calipers, it will not contaminate the whole system. The fluid thast is put into the brake lines is returned to the reservoir when you release the pedal. It does not circulatethru the whole system like coolant in the radiator or oil in the engine or tranny.
Remove the lid from the reservoir & pry both front calipers open to expell any contaminated fluid in the lines near the master cylinder & then replace the master cylinder.
Brake fluid has been incompatible with any other fluids for 50 years minimum.

Answer 4

John St Louis is right. PS fluid is not compatible with the rubber components of the brake system.
You will need to replace all rubber seals in the master cylinder and all four calipers. Also the rubber hoses will need to be replaced.
All the metal pipes will need to be thoroughly flushed through with methylated spirits.
Just draining and flushing the braking system could result in a very nasty accident caused by brake failure.
If you have ANY doubts, please get the opinion from a brake specialist in your area.
When it comes to braking system, there is no room for error.

Further info:
I really don't think you need to replace the master cylinder and calipers, just the rubber seals in these components.
The only reason for replacing all or any of these components would be if there is any corrosion in them. A brake specialist will be able to advise you in this matter.

Even more info:
It worries me a tad that even those who claim to well worn motor mechanics dont seem to understand the compatability between seals and fluids.
Depending on what fluid you are using in a system will dictate what compound you make the seals from.
Mineral oils must have seals made from natural rubber.
Synthetics need seals made from Neoprene, Buna-N, and a few other products.
Use the wrong fluid/seal combination and you are courting disaster.

My only concern is that this person will go on what is said here.

PLEASE dont. Get professional assistance.

Answer 5

The master cylinder is the main element to replace.
The wheel cylinder or calipers would be the other things.
Flush the system with brake fluid.
Replace the Master cylinder first then the wheel cylinder or Calipers.
Transmission fluid would swell the seals and prevent leaks initially but over time the weaken seals would fail.
It would happen gradually and you would get plenty of warning.
The brakes would become stiff and the master cylinder would produce insufficent pressure to stop the vehicle normally.

Answer 6

The un-asked question---how do you know you have p/s fluid in your brakes. Why does this thought persist that it is bad and will destroy all the rubber. You think there are no rubber parts in p/s syatem. The only thing I can see is the brake fluid is made with a very high boiling. I don't think p/s fluid, especially a small amount, which may or may not be present, would affect anything.

Answer 7

Suck out as much as possible. Bleed like a gallon of fluid through it and see if it stops.

P/S fluid will swell all the seals, they don't leak swollen. Unfortunately what they seal- caliper pistons and the like don't move with them swollen either.

If it stops good consider yourself lucky, otherwise get ready for a BIG bill.
Master cylinder, all 4 calipers, all brake hoses (not metal lines) and probably any ABS components will need to be replaced. MEGA $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Answer 8

Go find the "somebody" who did that, and tell him he owes you a bunch of money.

Every thing rubber in the system has been ruined. Every seal in the master and the wheel cylinders, and every brake line that isn't metal, Everything will have to be flushed out, made clear and clean, and every component except the now clean metal lines replaced. Probably not worth the expense for an 11 year old vehicle.

Answer 9

Get rid of the power steering fluid. Drain it and throw it away. Clean system with alcohol. Rebuild master cylinder with new parts. Fill with new brake fluid. Bleed brakes. Good luck!

Answer 10

I would start with just bleeding out ALL the old fluid and replace it with dot 3 brake fluid. If after that you have troubles it should be isolated and easy to replace....you should't have to replace the whole system.