Flush brake fluid? Power steering fluid? on '05 Durango AWD (vehicle, brakes)

[SportyandMisty]

Hi. For those of you who know more about automobile maintenance than I do, I'd like your thoughts or advice on brake fluid flush, and separately on power steering fluid flush.

My 2005 Dodge Durango AWD (5.7L Hemi) has 135,000 miles on it.

As part of general maintenance, is there any reason for me to do a flush of either the brake fluid or the power steering fluid? I don't think they have ever been flushed.

Many thanks for advice and input.

[pikabike]

Are your brakes and steering working fine? Are the fluids still light and clean? If not, get it done! Even if they look OK, changing is still not a bad idea at that age and mileage. Some fluids deteriorate over time, and if there is any leak in the system, the deterioration accelerates.

A couple years ago a dealership service mgr recommended that my '05 truck have steering and brake fluids replaced, simply due to age. Everything worked but the fluid containers showed the originally-light fluids had become slightly darker. The reservoirs allowed me to see it for myself. Those fluids had never been replaced.

I told them to go ahead and change those fluids. It is cheap prevention in an expensive item, namely a vehicle and your safety.

[cdelena]

I have not heard of a complete flush of the PS unit but flushing the brake fluid is a pretty common procedure. Brake fluid will absorb moisture over time and therefore become less effective.

Change interval is usually every five to seven years, but of course most vehicles don't have it done and manage. It is more important if you need repeated heavy braking action such as mountainous or race driving.

[BostonMike7]

I do my brake fluid every 2 years. I always note an increase in pedal response even with that short of a span. I do live where it gets VERY humid in the summer.

[kapikap]

Do not flush, drain only. And replace with factory recommended fluids.
DO NOT FLUSH ANYTHING, DRAIN AND REPLACE ONLY.

[jms493]

You can simply bleed your brakes from farthest caliper to closest (to Master Cylinder)...that's good enough. Make sure the Master Cylinder Reservoir is always full enough so you don't suck down any air. 2 person job.

[M3 Mitch]

I would change the brake fluid if it's dark. You can do a partial replacement of power steering fluid by using a syringe to pull most of the fluid out of the reservoir, doing a full fluid replacement would involve taking things apart, and this is not really necessary. You can do a few partial replacements over a few weeks or months, and that should clean it up.

[Regajohn]

What does your owners manual specify ?

[mclasser]

PS flush is a waste of money. Buy a 1 qt bottle of the spec'd PSF and turkey baster the reservoir over a week's span. Done.

Brake fluid flush is worth it since you replenish the dirty stuff in the lines and remove any air bubbles. Many people one man bleed in the garage but this isn't advisable on older cars. Constantly pumping the pedal to the floor can dislodge gunk past the master cylinder seal and cause failure.

[TrapperL]

The brake fluid spec for your truck is DOT 3. DOT 3 is glycol based unlike the newer brake fluids which are alcohol based and will absorb moisture from the air. You don't need to change your fluid every 2 years like the new fluid. Unless it's dirty, or you pull a heavy trailer in hills and mountains where the fluid may boil, just keep driving. The power steering fluid on your truck will stand temps to 408F. I doubt it has seen any high temps like that. Unless it's dirty, just keep driving.
Hopefully you've been changing the automatic transmission fluid and using an ATF+4 fluid. MOPAR branded fluid is the best for it. Not all dealers use MOPAR fluids, be aware.