kyle5782 Posted May 23, 2016 Report Share Posted May 23, 2016 (edited) Edit: I orginially posted about the trany AND brake fluid flush, but axing the tansmission flush. After doing some searching online I checked my fluid and it smells new, is still pink and between the fill lines. My 2008 Edge SEL has ~92,000 miles on it. We bought it used at around 60-65,000 miles with no records of previous maintanence. Since I got it it's been through mostly city miles. Would you recommend a brake fluid flush/replace? The car always felt a little spongey when breaking but that seems to be a thing with all Edges this year. Bonus: I need new tires!! I'll be living in Buffalo, NY this winter, so that means lots of snow. I did the penny test the other day and all tires are pretty worn. I'd like to get a good pair of all seasons that handle reasonably well in the snow. I just graduated and will be moving out next weekend so I don't necessarily have money to spend on 2 sets of tires. Any recommendations? I have FWD if that means anything. Thanks! Edited May 23, 2016 by kyle5782 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enigma-2 Posted May 23, 2016 Report Share Posted May 23, 2016 Checkout TIRERACK.COM. Input your vehicle and tire size and read the user remarks. Looking over the site, 2008 Ford Edge, SEL with FWD, 18" rims, a set of four Bridgestone Dueler's would run around $590 plus $60-$70 for shipping. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macbwt Posted May 24, 2016 Report Share Posted May 24, 2016 I would recommend a transmission fluid complete change. I have posted several video's on this subject. Also you are way over due a brake fluid replacement. Last but not least a full Mercon V power steering fluid change yes it will use the same fluid as the transmission. Made a video on how to to all this so it is simple. You can do all this for under 250 dollars easily and that is if you have a garage do the transmission flush. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyle5782 Posted May 24, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 24, 2016 I would recommend a transmission fluid complete change. I have posted several video's on this subject. Also you are way over due a brake fluid replacement. Last but not least a full Mercon V power steering fluid change yes it will use the same fluid as the transmission. Made a video on how to to all this so it is simple. You can do all this for under 250 dollars easily and that is if you have a garage do the transmission flush. I'll have to wait 'til I move this weekend, but it's on my list! It's funny you mentioned power steering, because in the fall my entire power steering system had to be replaced Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enigma-2 Posted May 25, 2016 Report Share Posted May 25, 2016 Also you are way over due a brake fluid replacement. Mac, what do you think is a good interval for a brake fluid change. I have somewhere around 93k, been kicking it around getting a brake job. (Hate my brakes). You recommend a fluid change when I have this done? (It's not listed in the maintenance manual). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted May 25, 2016 Report Share Posted May 25, 2016 Every 2 years is a typical recommendation. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macbwt Posted May 25, 2016 Report Share Posted May 25, 2016 The brake fluid can absorb water and destroy the system from the inside out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enigma-2 Posted May 25, 2016 Report Share Posted May 25, 2016 Thanks, I'll bet it has never been done. I'll have them do a full flush when I have new pads put on. Any way of telling how much moisture the fluid has absorbed? There such a thing as brake fluid tester? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted May 25, 2016 Report Share Posted May 25, 2016 Thanks, I'll bet it has never been done. I'll have them do a full flush when I have new pads put on. Any way of telling how much moisture the fluid has absorbed? There such a thing as brake fluid tester? Color. The darker the fluid the more water it has absorbed (I think). It starts out clear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyle5782 Posted May 26, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 26, 2016 Would it be better to do a brake fluid flush or just change the fluid by draining & refiling? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian K Posted May 26, 2016 Report Share Posted May 26, 2016 When I flush the brake fluid, I suck out the brake reservoir as empty as I can get it, then fill with new fluid. Then I bleed the brakes from the furthest to the closest using the one man type bottle -RR, LR, RF, LF in this order. After each brake is bled, I refill the brake reservoir so I don't bleed air into the system. It takes about a liter of fluid - of course depending on how much you bleed at brake cylinder. WRT transmission, I read in a Ford service manual to "drain, refill and drive a bit", and repeat 2 more times about every 25,000 miles. It is not a complete flush but IMO is safer than doing a true flush which could dislodge crap in the transmissions - lots of opinions on a flush versus a drain and fill. The only thing I'd like to do is change the filter, but removing the vertical pan to do this seems to involve disconnecting some electrical connectors and not worth it to me as a DIY'er. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DRbillZ Posted May 26, 2016 Report Share Posted May 26, 2016 Tranny flush. Do you have to use a transgender bathroom for that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted May 27, 2016 Report Share Posted May 27, 2016 As a friend and former Ford transmission engineer told me - if the filter is clogged the tranny is already toast. You don't need to change it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macbwt Posted May 27, 2016 Report Share Posted May 27, 2016 I am going to have to say if your transmission failed after a complete fluid replacement, It had already failed you just did not know it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyle5782 Posted May 27, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 27, 2016 Soooo for my break fluid: good, bad? Leave it, replace it, or flush it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted May 27, 2016 Report Share Posted May 27, 2016 Bad. It should be clear. Won't hurt to replace it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyle5782 Posted May 27, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 27, 2016 (edited) Bad. It should be clear. Won't hurt to replace it. Just called local ford dealership, a flush is $99. Having it done tomorrow Edit: checked power steering and transmission fluids and they're all good & at max level. Stopping at Autozone today for a new air filter that I'll throw in my self. My dad helped me clean off the gunk on my battery and added water Edited May 27, 2016 by kyle5782 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enigma-2 Posted May 27, 2016 Report Share Posted May 27, 2016 Tranny flush. Do you have to use a transgender bathroom for that? Not in North Carolina. ...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enigma-2 Posted May 27, 2016 Report Share Posted May 27, 2016 Soooo for my break fluid: good, bad? Leave it, replace it, or flush it? After I read akirby's post, I looked it up. Good fluid is clear or translucent. Rust colored means that it's absorbed water and should be flushed. Blackish color means brake problems and everything needs to be examined. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted May 28, 2016 Report Share Posted May 28, 2016 Pretty sure dark or even black also means it's absorbed water. I don't think I've ever seen rust colored but I could be wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WWWPerfA_ZN0W Posted May 28, 2016 Report Share Posted May 28, 2016 Not all fluid is clear/light amber. ATE has some products that are blue in color, BG I believe has a product that is a pinkish red in color, so on and so forth. Helps detect leaks. So it would be more accurate say the MAJORITY of manufacturers sell brake fluid that is clear/light amber. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted May 28, 2016 Report Share Posted May 28, 2016 Interesting - had never heard of colored fluid but that would make sense for leak detection. Especially on a race car. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyle5782 Posted May 29, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 29, 2016 Here's a before and after from my break flush . The breaks feel a little less spongey & seems to have more confidence Last question I promise... I think there's air in my power steering system. It's all brand new (replaced early Fall) but it's pretty tight. Would a power steering flush take care of this? I have to get new tires soon and would get this done at the same time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WWWPerfA_ZN0W Posted May 29, 2016 Report Share Posted May 29, 2016 Brake fluid looks much better! You might want to periodically watch it to see if any debris comes out, and replace a bit at a time instead of flushing. Take what's accessible in the reservoir (no more than say till 1/2 way down the neck) and replace. For the power steering fluid, have you tried getting the air out by a] verifying the fluid is indeed filled correctly to the FULL line, b] taking the reservoir cap off, and c] turning the steering wheel lock to lock 10x or so (do not hold at lock position) while the engine is running? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian K Posted May 29, 2016 Report Share Posted May 29, 2016 You really should learn to DIY. It is so easy. Save $100. Trans-gender bathrooms - we need lots up here with the seven sexes. LGBTQ and of course M & F. When will this end? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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