Fun with the Beretta...

[bszopi]

Well, ok... not really. Decided to go to the store last night (~10:45pm) to get some milk, and I noticed the brakes seemed a little soft. I knew the fronts were fine cause I just replaced them maybe 2 months ago. Anyway, while at the store, I decided to buy some fluid just in case I needed to top off the tank.

Problem #1 - Well, it was late, and I'm a moron, so needless to say I started filling up my PS tank with brake fluid. How bad is this? Should I drain all the fluid out of the PS tank? There will still be some brake fluid in there in the lines and rack, but I don't think just a little would harm anything. But do I even need to worry about it?

Problem #2 - Got home and they were still feeling soft, so I started to look around. Finally found the right rear drum, wheel and tire were soaked in fluid. So I brought it into the shop this morning. I can't remember what all the guy said, but its gonna run me $250. I figure its not too bad since I'm pretty sure this is the first time in ~135k that the rear brakes have even been looked at.

So anyway, if anyone would care to chime in on the PS issue, I'd be greatly appreciative!

[GPRacer]

depending on how much brake fluid got in there, you need to flush that shit 10 times over.

That happened to my friend. His G-pa put some brake fluid in the P/S resevoir. Right now he's driving his car around without power steering until he can afford a new rack and pinion

[JamesonGT282]

I think I remember paying something like that for "cylinders" or somethng a couple of years ago.

[geoffinbc]

Dot3 is pretty much power steering fluid. Dont worry about it. They are both hydraulic fluids.

Pump fluid has additives and friction modifiers that hydraulic cylinder fluid does not have.

Edit. I should mention this depends on the use of synthetic vs non synthetic fluids and the brand.

[patgizz]

I think I remember paying something like that for "cylinders" or somethng a couple of years ago.

ya the rear wheel cylinder is shot. so it wipes out the lining on the shoes with it. a wheel cylinder, set of shoes, and a couple cans of brake cleaner will fix it and probably 45 minutes with someone to help bleed the brakes.

[JamesonGT282]

I think I remember paying something like that for "cylinders" or somethng a couple of years ago.

ya the rear wheel cylinder is shot. so it wipes out the lining on the shoes with it. a wheel cylinder, set of shoes, and a couple cans of brake cleaner will fix it and probably 45 minutes with someone to help bleed the brakes.

Ding ding ding

[GPRacer]

that's most likely the case.

I keep forgetting that my bud's car uses a different DOT

[bud36light]

Wait a minute here. I know DOT3 will eat paint. Not sure about Powersteering fluid(trans fluid). If it eats paint it will be hard on rubber seals.Right? Meaning dryout or crack them. I would flush the system at least twice. Or if you havent replaced the pump yet would be a good time to install a new one since you have to flush out the system anyway.

[Guest]

I'm just wondering how you can accidentally put brake fluid in the PS? They are on opposite sides of the car.

Brad, what happened?

[Mitch DOHC]

their are rubber seals in your brake system, and the brake fluid dosent hurt them. so why would it hurt the ones in the PS system.

[bszopi]

I'm just wondering how you can accidentally put brake fluid in the PS? They are on opposite sides of the car.

Brad, what happened?

It was late. I was tired and in the middle of a Wal-Mart parking lot. It was cold. So I just went for the first cap I saw that wasn't the oil filler. Yeah, as soon as I started pouring it in, I looked over and saw the brake booster... OOPS!

Oh yeah, and I'm Polish, so there is another excuse.

[GPRacer]

their are rubber seals in your brake system, and the brake fluid dosent hurt them. so why would it hurt the ones in the PS system.

well, for whatever seals there are that are rubber in the system, they are made out of a totally different material. They are NOT rubber by ANY means. They may look like rubber, but i gaurentee you they are not. Any brake fluid is very corrosive.

SO yea, i'd still say flush your system.