Brake Fluid Flush
 

Hello All,

I'm finally getting to a bit of maintenance after picking up my 87 XJ6 VP last month. Changed the oil this morning with no problem. Next, I want to flush the brake fluid. I've done this many times on BMWs without a hitch using a Motive pressure bleeder. Of course the rear brakes are outboard on the BMWs. This is my first time dealing with the inboard brake setup.

Two questions:

- I assume using a pressure bleeder will be no problem. Anyone have a different experience?

- How in the heck do you get to the bleeder screws in the rear of the car? Is it just a matter of getting a small 7/16" wrench (12 point I assume) up there and working the screws loose? Any tips for this?

Thanks.

No tricks or traps or anything exotic as the actual procedure goes. Pressure bleeder is fine if you have one.

The rear bleeders are tricky to reach and get a wrench onto, yes. I can't remember if there was a certain wrench or socket combination that did the trick but I never had a problem finding something in my toolbox that would do the job. It'll often depend on how close the exhaust is to the nipple...it varies a bit from car-to-car

Cheers
DD

Doug, thanks for the reply.

The exhaust is very close to those nipples. I found that a 12 pt 7/16" box end wrench fits and there is just enough clearance to get a very short turn of the wrench. That is, once I'm able to break it loose. I can't get much leverage and I'm sure it's been years since those bleeder screws were turned. I'm hitting them with penetrating oil every couple hours. Hopefully I'll be able to break them loose tomorrow.

The brake fluid is very dirty. I've gotta get this changed....

Mark

Success. I was able to get a 3/8 swivel head ratchet with a 7/16" socket on the pass side and break that one loose. On the driver's side I had to use a 7/16 12 pt box wrench with a 21mm box end wrench hooked over the open end of the 7/16 wrench to get enough leverage. I also soaked them with Aero Kroil penetrating oil overnight which probably didn't hurt.

I was worried that the brake fluid was so old and dirty that the bleeder screws would be clogged. I had that problem on an 88 BMW M5 recently and had to take the calipers apart to solve the problem. But the fluid ran fine once the screws were cracked.

Next up is the coolant.....