Fixed Ops Magazine - 2021 Vol18 02 - 47

Fluids'. As a result, many OEMs removed traditional nor-

primary factors determining brake fluid degradation

mal or severe vital fluid service recommendations from

as the vehicle ages and accumulates mileage.

their owner's manuals and factory maintenance schedules.  But perhaps the most obvious reason is Service
Advisors often do not have the fluid diagnostic tools or
customer educational materials to verify their recommendations and the benefits gained from these services.  
 

FIELD TESTING METHODS FOR
BRAKE FLUIDS: 
Testing for Corrosion - Copper Testing ppm (parts
per million):

Educate your customers about the benefits of fluid preventative maintenance services.  Test their vital
fluids. Show them When and Why these services are
something they do not want to regret turning down.
    

THE CONUNDRUM OF RECOMMENDING
BRAKE FLUID SERVICES . . .
Most OEMs recommend servicing brake fluid every 2
to 3 years or every 20,000 to 30,000 miles.  Prior to
2021, GM considered brake fluid to be a lifetime fluid
- 150,000 miles. Now it is every 5 years. For the most
part, Toyota, Ford, and Chrysler have no recommendations. This is despite the fact that the performance
and reliability of Electronic Stability Control (ESC),
Adaptive Cruz Control (ACC) and Driver Assistance
Systems (ADAS) rely on the brake systems, certainly
including the integrity of the brake fluid.

Brake Lines are coil wound steel bound together with
a copper/zinc alloy. The first sign of corrosion in a
brake system is the appearance of copper ions in the
fluid.  As corrosion attacks the ferrous components,
electrolysis causes the copper ions to leave the fluid
and plate to the steel. 
Testing Copper ppm provides an early indication that
corrosion is taking place. But after plating occurs, copper ions may no longer be available for testing and
measurement.  
Moisture Testing Methods:
A unique property of brake fluid is that it is hydroscopic - it attracts water. The advantage in absorbing water
is that it keeps water from collecting in calipers and
wheel cylinders. However, by holding onto the water,
the brake fluid's boiling point drops, rust inhibitor additives prematurely deplete, and the system becomes

Brake fluids, as well as all vital fluids, contain additives

susceptible to internal corrosion if left in the system

that inhibit breakdown. The depletion of additives (an-

too long.

ti-corrosion, anti-oxidant, seal conditioners, other additives) and a reduction in thermal stability of the base

There are several methods and many devices available

fluid (ability to resist breakdown from heat) are the

for testing the moisture content of brake fluids. These

MARCH APRIL 2021 || FIXED OPS MAGAZINE

47



Fixed Ops Magazine - 2021 Vol18 02

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Fixed Ops Magazine - 2021 Vol18 02

Fixed Ops Magazine - 2021 Vol18 02 - 1
Fixed Ops Magazine - 2021 Vol18 02 - 2
Fixed Ops Magazine - 2021 Vol18 02 - 3
Fixed Ops Magazine - 2021 Vol18 02 - 4
Fixed Ops Magazine - 2021 Vol18 02 - 5
Fixed Ops Magazine - 2021 Vol18 02 - 6
Fixed Ops Magazine - 2021 Vol18 02 - 7
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Fixed Ops Magazine - 2021 Vol18 02 - 37
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Fixed Ops Magazine - 2021 Vol18 02 - 40
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Fixed Ops Magazine - 2021 Vol18 02 - 45
Fixed Ops Magazine - 2021 Vol18 02 - 46
Fixed Ops Magazine - 2021 Vol18 02 - 47
Fixed Ops Magazine - 2021 Vol18 02 - 48
Fixed Ops Magazine - 2021 Vol18 02 - 49
Fixed Ops Magazine - 2021 Vol18 02 - 50
Fixed Ops Magazine - 2021 Vol18 02 - 51
Fixed Ops Magazine - 2021 Vol18 02 - 52
Fixed Ops Magazine - 2021 Vol18 02 - 53
Fixed Ops Magazine - 2021 Vol18 02 - 54
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Fixed Ops Magazine - 2021 Vol18 02 - 66
Fixed Ops Magazine - 2021 Vol18 02 - 67
Fixed Ops Magazine - 2021 Vol18 02 - 68
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