i'm about to replace my break fluid, if i can ever get this damn reservoir cap off (damn stripped screws), but i needed some help having never done this before. do i need to drain all of the old brake fluid? if so, how do i do that? also when i add the new fluid how do i make sure i don't get any air in the brake line? how do i bleed the brake line if i have too? thanks for the help!
Dorianfes
well. 1st, I completely sympathize with the stripped screws.. it must be a necessity to over tighten them and then use crappy drivers to try to get them out... the prev owner stripped both my reservoirs.... I still can't get the back one off..
but, bleeding is pretty straightforward. there's a really good how to in the Clymer manual, I'm sure there's more online. Basically you need to keep the reservoir full at all times so you don't get air in the system. Fill up the reservoir w/ the new fluid, top it off best you can. There's a bleeder nut on the brake caliper.. it should have a little rubber boot on top. You loosen (not remove) the nut as you squeeze on the brake lever. Make sure you tighten the nut back before you release the lever. Do that over and over (sqeeze -> loosen -> tighten -> release..) all the while making sure you have plenty of fluid in the reservoir so you don't have to start over again when you get air in the system. Once the bleeder is spitting out clean, new fluid, you're done.
As long as you never let the reservoir run dry you shouldn't have any probs w/ air. Make sure you seal the reservoir back up well, the gasket should be in good shape and you're good to go. If it's spongy and soft feeling.. you got air in the lines.. start over.
Doesn't take long on the GS.. pretty small braking systems, shouldn't take you more than an hour for front and rear.
good luck
trey
Do not drain it.
Have you ever blead brakes before? pull brake lever & hold, crack open bleeder, some fluid comes out, close bleeder, release lever & pump brake back up. Repeat and be sure to fill reservoir as it empties. Keep doing it until the fluid comes out clean. It may take a few minutes but this way you don't have to worry about bleeding a dry system.
If you have a piece of clear vinyl hose you can stick it on the bleeder and direct the fluid into a used water bottle or similar. DO NOT GET BRAKE FLUID ON PAINT. It will eat the paint down to the metal if it isn't cleaned immediately!
Good luck, its really not too difficult and your brakes will have a much better and stronger feel. :)