[Skippy850]

The manual says to change every 2 years; however, if it is hardly used then is it necessary? I know brake fluid isn't like engine oil but it's still a question I've had since owning my machines ('13 Sportsman 500 &' 14 Sportsman 850 xp). I have not changed the brake fluid in them yet. But they are low in hour usage (500: 75 hours, 850: 115).

Anyhow, I'm trying to get them ready for the spring. Any thoughts on the brake fluid?

 

[bp405]

Brake fluid does degrade. Basically the boiling point decreases. Not the biggest deal for an ATV but non the less. This happens because brake fluid absorbs water from the air. Even though the system is sealed the fliud does get compromised. This can cause the internals of the brake system to become oxidized. Especially because the vehicle sits I would be concerned about the brake systems components either oxidizing and/or drying out. So me I would flush and fill the system.

 

[Skippy850]

Brake fluid does degrade. Basically the boiling point decreases. Not the biggest deal for an ATV but non the less. This happens because brake fluid absorbs water from the air. Even though the system is sealed the fliud does get compromised. This can cause the internals of the brake system to become oxidized. Especially because the vehicle sits I would be concerned about the brake systems components either oxidizing and/or drying out. So me I would flush and fill the system.

That makes sense. Thank you. I'll have it done. I can't find any videos on how to do it, I'll just take them in

 

[Kleiss1]

Do you just open the bleader and pump away? Keeping the reservoir full? Or is there a better system to flush them out?

 

[bp405]

Do you just open the bleader and pump away? Keeping the reservoir full? Or is there a better system to flush them out?

That's what I do. Keep the master full and capped. Then three pumps and pop the bleeder. I have heard a lot of guys using the mighty-vac. I have one but just prefer using the brake components to bleed the system.

 

[keterpeller12345]

Do you just open the bleader and pump away? Keeping the reservoir full? Or is there a better system to flush them out?

That's what I do. Keep the master full and capped. Then three pumps and pop the bleeder. I have heard a lot of guys using the mighty-vac. I have one but just prefer using the brake components to bleed the system.

Yup thats what I'd do too

 

[latebird]

If the fluid gets old enough it will gel from the Glycerol (Glycerine) drying out. Glycreol is a byproduct of soap making- Alchohol is combined with the glycerol to control it's viscosity. DOT 3, 4 & 5.1 brake fluid is made is made of this mixture. The only difference between DOT 3, 4 & 5.1 is the boiling point.

It should be changed every 2 years - by pressure, vacuum or gravity depending on the vehicle, tools available and the mechanic's time constraints.

 

[Skippy850]

If the fluid gets old enough it will gel from the Glycerol (Glycerine) drying out. Glycreol is a byproduct of soap making- Alchohol is combined with the glycerol to control it's viscosity. DOT 3, 4 & 5.1 brake fluid is made is made of this mixture. The only difference between DOT 3, 4 & 5.1 is the boiling point.

It should be changed every 2 years - by pressure, vacuum or gravity depending on the vehicle, tools available and the mechanic's time constraints.

Thank you. I'm worried enough I'll change it now

 

[Skippy850]

Do you just open the bleader and pump away? Keeping the reservoir full? Or is there a better system to flush them out?

That's what I do. Keep the master full and capped. Then three pumps and pop the bleeder. I have heard a lot of guys using the mighty-vac. I have one but just prefer using the brake components to bleed the system.

Do you pump the main brake lever to do this?

 

[PoPo3]

When was the last time you changed the brake fluid in your auto or truck??????????????

Do you really think more of your $10,000 ATV than your $40,000 to $100,000+ motor vehicle?????????????

What I'm I missing here.?????????????



You put 100,000 miles on your motor vehicle and 2,000 miles on your ATV.

I have never changed brake flood in any of my autos.

What I'm I missing here.?????????????

 

[latebird]

When was the last time you changed the brake fluid in your auto or truck??????????????

Do you really think more of your $10,000 ATV than your $40,000 to $100,000+ motor vehicle?????????????

What I'm I missing here.?????????????



You put 100,000 miles on your motor vehicle and 2,000 miles on your ATV.

I have never changed brake flood in any of my autos.

What I'm I missing here.?????????????

You are missing the education that an owners manual might provide. What does it say in the owners manual about changing brake fluid in your car or truck?

Consider that the ATV master cylinder only holds about 25 cc of fluid and the brakes operate on about 5 cc of compressed fluid (this does not take into account HOW much fluid is already in the lines and calipers - it only takes into account how much fluid the MC uses to pressurize the brake system).

Your car holds about 500 cc in the reservoir ant the MC can displace about 50 to 100 cc of fluid to pressurize the system.

How long and what amount of water will it take to contaminate the fluid in your car vs the quad?

BTW, I changed the brake fluid in my 200,000 mile 97 F150 last summer - I've owned the truck 6 years and this the second time the fluid was changed. I guess the question is, would you you rather buy a vehicle from me or from you? Let's see, my CRF250 has had the brake fluid changed every year, the oil and filter every 3rd ride, the piston and rings twice a year when being ridden every Sunday, the coolant twice a year, air filter cleaned every week and the entire bike gets disassembled and all the bearings washed and repacked or replaced every winter.

On the other hand, I change the oil and filter every 3000 miles on my car and truck and I don't grease anything that does not have a grease fitting. I got 150,000 miles out of one upper ball joint and 200,000 miles out of the other one. As far as I know the tie rod ends have never been replaced, but the tie rod ends on my 05 TRX400EX have been replaced twice and I only ride it once a month.

I never hurts to to do something too often, but it definitely hurts to not do it often enough.

How often do you check the oil in your ATV? How often do you check the oil in your car or truck? The ATV only holds a quart or so - my F150 holds 6 quarts.

Just saying...............

 

[bp405]

I change and check and PM my ATVs a lot more then I do the $200,000 of vehicles my wife and I have the luxury of choosing from every morning!!!!!!!!!!

You know why????????

My ATVs get a lot more abuse!!!!!!!!!! Therefore require a lot more TLC!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[latebird]

i change and check and pm my atvs a lot more then i do the $200,000 of vehicles my wife and i have the luxury of choosing from every morning!!!!!!!!!!

You know why????????

My atvs get a lot more abuse!!!!!!!!!! Therefore require a lot more tlc!!!!!!!!!!!!

Exactly!

 

[Skippy850]

My experience with brakes are low. But I'm learning. I know I attempted to change the fluid on a KTM 200 and that sucked. I couldn't figure it out. That is why I'm not excited to do it.

It's basically adding fresh fluid and bleeding while keeping the master cylinder full right? And do I have to put a hose on the bleeder valves?

 

[bp405]

If you're pushing it, it'll be your standard 3 pumps + hold, crack the bleeder, release the pressure, tighten the bleeder, and repeat until clean clear fluid is filled the system. Yeah I would use the hose into a cup method as to prevent air from being pulled back into the caliper. It also aids in visually seeing the air being pushed out of the system. Oh and another thing I do is pull all the old fluid out of the master cylinder reservoir and fill it with fresh new fluid. Then begin the bleeding process.

 

[Skippy850]

If you're pushing it, it'll be your standard 3 pumps + hold, crack the bleeder, release the pressure, tighten the bleeder, and repeat until clean clear fluid is filled the system. Yeah I would use the hose into a cup method as to prevent air from being pulled back into the caliper. It also aids in visually seeing the air being pushed out of the system. Oh and another thing I do is pull all the old fluid out of the master cylinder reservoir and fill it with fresh new fluid. Then begin the bleeding process.

OK thank you! I have had a bottle of Polaris brand Dot 4 for a year that is still sealed. Perhaps it's still good and if I need more, does any generic dot 4 work? Apologies for my rookie questions lol.

 

[bp405]

No worries about the questions. That dot 4 you have is fine. It's sealed and hasn't been exposed to the air. One bottle will do the job. But for future reference dot 4 is dot 4 and so can be interchanged.

 

[polman500]

I admit I'm kinda lazy. I don't really stick to a strict schedule when it comes to changing coolant or brake fluid like I do for lubricants. To me, its not so much that I'm worried that my cooling system will corrode or my brake system will plug up suddenly if I don't get that fluid changed on time...It won't! If those systems are never opened up/contaminated they can last many years with no problems. I'm sure a very high percentage of the forum members on here are proof of that lol.
The deal to me is peace of mind. It only takes a small amount of time and very little expense every year or two while I'm piddling around the garage anyway. Besides that, I actually enjoy maintaining my machine. Its not a chore.
I spend a fair amount of time in the middle of nowhere and often in very rugged terrain with no roads nearby, no other people and no phone service. Many folks nowadays have never experienced such a thing. I accept that I WILL break stuff or have problems on occasion but that just goes with the territory. Keeping my machine serviced and well maintained is just cheap insurance to make sure those breakdowns are as unlikely as possible. As I said before, working on my machine in the comfort of my garage with some tunes playing and a cold beverage close at hand is fun...working on it out in the middle of nowhere with sunset fast approaching...Not so much. :grin

 

[Skippy850]

No worries about the questions. That dot 4 you have is fine. It's sealed and hasn't been exposed to the air. One bottle will do the job. But for future reference dot 4 is dot 4 and so can be interchanged.

Awesome! I'll note that. Thank you.

 

[Skippy850]

I admit I'm kinda lazy. I don't really stick to a strict schedule when it comes to changing coolant or brake fluid like I do for lubricants. To me, its not so much that I'm worried that my cooling system will corrode or my brake system will plug up suddenly if I don't get that fluid changed on time...It won't! If those systems are never opened up/contaminated they can last many years with no problems. I'm sure a very high percentage of the forum members on here are proof of that lol.
The deal to me is peace of mind. It only takes a small amount of time and very little expense every year or two while I'm piddling around the garage anyway. Besides that, I actually enjoy maintaining my machine. Its not a chore.
I spend a fair amount of time in the middle of nowhere and often in very rugged terrain with no roads nearby, no other people and no phone service. Many folks nowadays have never experienced such a thing. I accept that I WILL break stuff or have problems on occasion but that just goes with the territory. Keeping my machine serviced and well maintained is just cheap insurance to make sure those breakdowns are as unlikely as possible. As I said before, working on my machine in the comfort of my garage with some tunes playing and a cold beverage close at hand is fun...working on it out in the middle of nowhere with sunset fast approaching...Not so much.

I'm like that to where I love working on my toys as well. It puts your mind at ease for sure. I don't really enjoy working on brakes, they just aren't as fun but... Knowing they won't fail is reassuring to say the least. I've never had good luck with brake systems except for changing pads. Maybe this time it won't be so bad lol.