How much brake fluid to flush brakes

[John Hilley]

Local Ford dealer only had four 12 oz Motorcraft Heavy Duty DOT 3 brake fluid containers. Is this enough to flush the brakes?

[ga traveler]

yes

[Clifftall]

Now that you have your question answered. I was wondering when Ford went to dot 4? I'm told this is what my 08 takes.

[IC2]

As far as amount used, your 48 oz should do it if careful. I did my '06 F350 a couple months ago after replacing the two front caliper hoses and used about that much out of 2 one quart cans. I did change over to the Valvoline semi-synthetic, which is DOT 3/4 (Valvoline.com > Products > Valvoline > DOT 3 4 Brake Fluid Valvoline > Valvoline® DOT 3 & 4 Brake Fluid) as it was what my local Ford dealer told me 'unofficially' was the same as the Motorcraft

[Fiesta48]

I used 3 qts. Bought 4. Valvalene (sp)Synthetic DOT3/4. It's a long ways to the back, the Calipers hold about a pint each and the reservoir holds almost a qt. Used a 1 man vacuum pump.

[Pirate]

Brakes are one area where I would ONLY use OEM fluid.

[IC2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pirate Brakes are one area where I would ONLY use OEM fluid.

Why? A brand name that meets the OEM manufacturer's specs plus is a national brand will work just fine and ALWAYS cost less and it is probably been made by the same manufacturer. And if you present the argument that a crash is expensive, .......... nah, you wouldn't, would you?

What I look at are the boiling points, water retention resistance and vaporization point, ease of availability, not how cheap/expensive it is. I have a high performance "hobby" car where I use a DOT 4 @ approximately $16-20/liter which has an even better spec then the Valvoline, not easily available locally, but fine for my occasionally driven fun car

[DriVer]

Ford Heavy Duty
(part # C6AZ-19542-AA)
Boiling Point 550° 290°
DOT 3550/290
Metal Can

Ford Heavy Duty DOT 3 is very inexpensive and is popular among racers because of its excellent dry boiling point. Considered by many to be the best-kept secret in brake fluids. It does absorb moisture quickly, though. Metal can. Recommended by Baer and Alcon. According to Hot Rods and Horsepower: "Ford Motor Company purchases [Castrol SRF] by the barrel, repackages it, and sells it as Ford Heavy Duty fluid to owners of heavy-duty trucks. Anyone may buy it from a Ford dealer under part number C6AZ-19542-AA." Although this rumor is often repeated on the 'Net, given the different specs between the two, this assertion seems questionable at best.

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Ford brake fluid in Super DOT3 is a good fluid to use although equivalent fluids from 3rd parties will do a good job but may not exceed the performance of Castrol SRF.

In recent times, Ford has been using Ford DOT4 fluid in the Bosch Hydro-Max equipped on F53 chassis

If you are equipped with DOT3 or DOT4, replace your brake fluid every 2 years and you won't have any problems with boiling point. This service requirement is in the Ford Maintenance tables for the F53 Super Duty.

[donandmax]

All things mechanical have there share of "old wives tales" changing brake fluid is one of them.

[IC2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by donandmax All things mechanical have there share of "old wives tales" changing brake fluid is one of them.

I guess I may be missing your meaning, but the reason for flushing brake fluid is to remove entrained water - all brake fluid with the exception of DOT5 silicone is hygroscopic in that absorbs moisture. There is no other reason to flush a brake system