Change the brake fluid in the brake hydraulic drive every two years, regardless of the vehicle mileage

Before changing the brake fluid, check the hydraulic drive for leaks and troubleshoot.

You will need: an 8 mm spanner, brake fluid, a rubber or transparent hose, and a transparent container.

It is recommended to change the brake fluid with an assistant, having previously installed the vehicle on an inspection ditch, overpass, or lift.

Use only those brake fluids recommended by the manufacturer.

The order of changing the fluid in the brake mechanisms:

  • – rear right;
  • – front left;
  • – rear left;
  • – front right.

Do not reuse the fluid drained from the system: it is contaminated, saturated with air and moisture.

Always add only new fluid of the same brand that was previously filled into the system.

Brake fluid is hygroscopic (absorbs moisture from the surrounding air), so it cannot be stored in an open container.

Replacing brake fluid Niva Chevrolet

Unscrew the cap of the hydraulic drive reservoir with the float of the level sensor.

Replacing brake fluid Niva Chevrolet

Add clean brake fluid to the reservoir to the lower edge of the filler neck.

Remove the front wheels.

Replacing brake fluid Niva Chevrolet

Replacing brake fluid Niva Chevrolet

Clean the air release valves from dirt and remove the protective caps of the valves of the working cylinders of the front and rear brake mechanisms.

Replacing brake fluid Niva Chevrolet

If you are working on a lift (the rear wheels are raised), first unlock the rear brake pressure regulator by inserting a screwdriver between the bracket and the piston.

Put a rubber hose on the air bleed valve of the right rear brake mechanism and immerse the end of the hose in a clean transparent container.

The assistant should sharply press the brake pedal 4-5 times (with an interval of 1-2 seconds between presses), and then hold the pedal pressed.

Replacing brake fluid Niva Chevrolet

Unscrew the ½-¾ turn air release valve. Brake fluid will start to flow out of the hose.

The brake pedal should smoothly reach the stop.

As soon as the fluid stops flowing, close the air release valve.

Replacing brake fluid Niva Chevrolet

Constantly monitor the fluid level in the reservoir, not allowing it to drop to the lower edge of the reservoir mounting bracket, and add new brake fluid if necessary to prevent air from entering the hydraulic drive.

This will ensure that the old fluid is gradually replaced by the new one without drying it out hydraulic systems.

When replacing the brake fluid in the front wheel brake mechanisms, use both valves: the upper and the lower.

Replacing the brake fluid Niva Chevrolet

In the same way, replace the brake fluid in the left front brake mechanism and then in the second circuit (first in the left rear brake mechanism, then in the right front).

Press the brake pedal several times.

In this case, the pedal travel and resistance should be constant with each press.

If these conditions are not met, then there is fluid in the brake the system has air in it and needs to be bled.

Replacing brake fluid Niva Chevrolet

Repeat the operations until the fluid in the drive is completely replaced (clean fluid without air bubbles should come out of the hose).

After replacing the brake fluid, be sure to put the protective caps on the air release valves.

Add brake fluid to the level between the "MIN" and "MAX" marks on the wall of the reservoir. Screw the tank cap back on.

Check the quality of the work performed: press the brake pedal several times, while the pedal travel and force on it should be the same with each press.

If this is not the case, bleed the hydraulic drive of the brake system.

Check the operation of the low brake fluid level sensor installed in the tank cap.

To do this, turn on the ignition and press the button on the tank cap - the control lamp in the instrument cluster should light up.