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Major screw-up - looking for advice on replacement brake parts

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bleasdell

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Long story short, I was hurrying through a brake fluid flush job and... I refilled with power steering fluid. Yep, I'm an idiot. Didn't even realize it until my pedal started feeling spongy and was getting worse.

Done my own research and this is apparently a very bad thing. Rubber doesn't do well in contact with PS fluid. Being that this is the brakes - a sort of important part of any vehicle - and that the Titan's brakes aren't all that great, I am thinking that the wisest thing to do is replace the master cylinder, ABS unit (either/both of these will just be stock replacements either rebuilt or off a wrecked Titan), rubber lines, and calipers. While I am at it I might consider upgrading the rotors and, of course, the pads.

I see all kinds of rotor/pad kits online but calipers are a different story. Only seeing OEM replacements. Here are my questions:

Anyone upgrade their calipers? What (and where and how much $) did you buy?
If you were me, what would you do? Remember, you are me so you are not spending my money, you are spending yours. ;)
 
#2 ·
If I were you I would hurry up and flush it all out and fill it back up with brake fluid. It shouldn't harm it unless you let it sit in there. If you act quickly you should be able to save it. Don't forget how corrosive brake fluid is, you should be fine. Your looking at a ton of money to replace your entire brake system.
 
#3 ·
It may take you a while to assemble all the necessary parts so I would first of all suck out all the fluid from the brake fluid reservoir, fill it with the correct fluid and then go through a full fluid flush. You want the bad stuff out of the lines ASAP. If it was me I probably would go through three of the big bottles of DOT 3/4 fluid to ensure I completely flushed the system. Using the brake pedal to do the flush might not be enough. A pressure bleeder might be necessary.

I agree with your plan to replace components. A thorough flush might do the trick but to be safe I think you're on the right track. The power steering system does have rubber hoses so you might not need to replace the rubber hoses in the brake system.
 
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Discussion starter · #4 ·
I live in Austin. I have driven to Houston and back and am in San Antonio now. So, lots of miles and brake usage. I have already tried to flush the system but that is proving to (a) not fix the issue and (b) not be a good way to actually get all the PS fluid out. PS fluid floats on top of brake fluid, so getting it out is a near impossibility without a pressure flush - which I plan to have done as soon as I get back to Austin.

My biggest fear is that there are damaged parts. Even after the flush, the pedal is very, very spongy. I am pretty sure the PS fluid has been in there long enough to do real damage to the rubber seals in the master cylinder and maybe even in the calipers. Had I just topped off the reservoir with PS fluid, that would be one thing, but I did a flush with PS fluid :(.

You guys are giving me a glimmer of hope that maybe there isn't too much damage, but it's only a glimmer. I think I will do another 2-3 bottles of brake fluid flush through the system and see if it gets any better. If not, start pulling parts and testing them - starting with the master cylinder. I have pulled calipers before (to turn rotors) and swore I would never do it again. I really hope to avoid that this time.
 
#7 ·
did you refill the res with PS, or the whole system?

you are right, the PS does bad things to anything rubber, and there are rubber seals from the calipers to the res cap and everything in between.
 
#8 ·
I think the power steering fluid is just ATF. I would expect the brake fluid to be nastier than ATF. But having a lubricant running through your brake system can't be good for it.

So I have to ask, how did you mistake red ATF for clear brake fluid? My worst fluid mixup was windshield washer fluid going into the radiator. Fortunately it was only in the catch container and I sucked it all out.
 
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#9 ·
just upgrade to the big brake kit, its worth it and ruining your brakes is a good reason to drop some coin on an awsome bj keep it g yall bj=(brake job)
 
#10 ·
Drop coin on an awesome bj.....lol
 
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#11 ·
It problably worked it's way into abs module.you never get all ps fluid out without removing that abs controller and flushing it on bench. I think on the right track . This is why all ps fluid should be red .good luck get junkyard master to save money . Junkyard everything for thst matter. No fluid should be in servo . If there is master cylinder is blown

Sent from my SGH-T989 using AutoGuide.Com Free App
 
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techwill64
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