When to replace the brake pads??

[JayG]

A good alternate method with a power bleeder is to do it dry.
Don t put fluid in the bleeder, fill the reservoir with fluid and use the bleeder only for pressure
Just be sure to check to make sure there is still fluid in the reservoir.

Bleed the rear brakes even if you are not changing the pads

bleeding only uses a few ounces of fluid. Bleeding is only removing the fluid in the caliper and maybe a little more as well as looking for air bubbles

If you are removing most of the fluid in the reservoir, and replacing it and more with fresh fluid you are flushing the system, not bleeding it.

As to as how much fluid should be in the reservoir after you are done.

First change the pads, then bleed or flush the system.
When you are done with that, fill it to the MAX line

bleeding/flushing is the last thing you do

[BoomerRoadie]

JayG,

This is interesting to me. I have not heard a distinction between bleeding and flushing. It seems like a lot of people (at least on YouTube) use the term interchangeably. But what you have said makes a lot of sense to me.

Also, as a tad bit of more important information...I went back through the records I got from the previous owner. He had it dealer maintained. In October of 2015 (14 months ago), he had the brakes flushed...$160.00...

So, given that new bit of info, I think a bleed would be most appropriate here. Agree?

In doing so, I should follow your instructions then. To do this, would you suggest:

1. Remove old fluid from reservoir (not 100% drain)
2. Fill reservoir with new fluid (3/4-7/8 full)
3. Bleed all 4 brakes (until any air bubbles are gone)
4. Remove the pressure tank
5. Top off the fluid in the reservoir to MAX

In doing this, I would not put any fluid in the pressure tank and as you suggested, and use it to apply pressure to the system.

If I have this all correct, the only item I'd question above is #1. I'm not certain I really need to remove the old fluid in this case, but at the same time, I'm not sure it really hurts me either. Just curious what you think.

As always, thank you for the comments!

Adam