Best Brake Bleeding Method & Best Fluid?

[Shifting_Gears]

I am due to a brake fluid exchange. I prefer to DIY and not pay for something I can do myself. However, I'd like to know what the best technique is for these cars. My GT is a Performance Package car, if it makes a difference.

Are power/pressurized bleeders the way to go? What about "speed bleeders" on the caliper and doing the normal pump the pedal method?

Looking to retain that rock solid pedal feel.

Any suggestions on fluid? Are there any downfalls to running a HPDE/autocross ready fluid on a daily driver?

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[kz]

They're (methods) all technically the same as long as you don't introduce air into the system. Only difference on your car being PP is two bleeder screws on front calipers.
I've used Motive Bleeder multiple times and it worked perfectly fine.

 

[TeeLew]

For brake fluid, the stock Ford is good. If it's fresh, you'd be unlikely to have any problems with it on a track. If you do, then flush it all and go with PFC 665.

 

[txgt]

My daily driver saw 8 HPDE events last year using Motul 600 racing brake fluid. I’ve not had any issues with running that fluid on the street.

I’ve never used a pressurized method like the Motive, but I have used a had operated vacuum pump to bleed by myself.

That method took a lot longer than I would have liked and I’ve never been confident in the results so I went back to the good ‘ol two man operation with my 14 year old son (and on the rare occasion my wonderful wife).

I drilled a hole in the cap of an old windshield wiper fluid bottle and fed the bleed hose through the cap. I also drilled a small air vent hole in the cap to allow air to escape the bottle as it fills with fluid.

My helper sits in the driver seat and operates the brake pedal while I handle the bleed valve. (Down and hold, open valve, close valve, up and repeat).

Next time I bleed the brakes after an HPDE event, I plan on switching roles so my son learns to operate the bleed valve while I sit back and relax in the driver seat and work the pedal

 

[ironsurvivor]

Look up the brake bleed procedure using Forscan. It will instruct you to crack the bleeder and will then run the ABS pump just long enough to cycle the new fluid through. Simple to do and works very well for all sides.

 

[paulm1]

Pressure bleeder, 20psi should clear the fluid from abs system. Use dot 5.1 or better heat rating. You want rock solid pedal, install a set of braided steel lines while your at it.

 

[NightmareMoon]

I don't know of any speed bleeders available for PP1 sized brakes, however a catch can with a check valve does almost the same job. However, I don't really trust that either of those will 100% keep air from leaking back in before you can tighten the bleeder.

So, unless you have a second person to pump the pedal, its better to use a vacuum or pressure bleeder which lets you sit at the caliber and watch the fluid move. Its easier to tell if there are bubbles or discolored fluid coming out with those types of bleeders. By yourself, you really have no idea because you can't put eyes on the fluid as it comes out if you're sitting in the driver's seat pumping the pedal. I haven't tried the Forsan program for bleeding, but that's interesting too.

Ford fluid is great for street use (and it lasts a longer time), but for track use, you want something which has a higher temp rating, like Motul 600 or 660, just know the change intervals are shorter with those fluids as they absorb ambient water faster than the stock fluid.

 

[TeeLew]

Once upon a time, Ford heavy duty brake fluid was used in racing commonly. There were not nearly as many options as there are now. For me, the most important thing is that the fluid is fresh.

 

[galaxy]

I’ve always been taught, as a general rule, the higher the boiling point, the more hygroscopic the fluid is. For a street car, this to me would mean there’s no reason to chase the best, highest temp, most racey fluid. And being in the DOT 4 temp realm already, any quality name brand fluid will be spectacular for your needs, especially the Ford.

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