Brake & Clutch Fluid - Bleed, Flush & replacement HELP - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

thebluecamaross · 02-28-2022, 12:05 PM

Hello All,

I need some advise, but most importantly, clarification on the brake & clutch flushing/replacement process for our 5th gen cars. Please pardon the ignorance.

1) Since the clutch and brake fluid share the same master reservoir, is just bleeding the brakes sufficient to bleed the clutch as well or is there a separate process for that?

- Is there a good thread to follow on the bleeding of the two components? Also, what tools do you recommend me getting.

2) I bought the Separate clutch reservoir from JDP sports and I wanted to know if it's best to do the flush now or after I install the clutch reservoir. I imagine at that point I'd need to bleed each component separately.

- Is there a good thread for reference for tools needed and steps to take?

THANKS!

MSgt O · 02-28-2022, 12:43 PM

No, the brakes and clutch do not interface that way. The resevoir yes, but not the lines. I would do it after, but thats just me. You should read through this:https://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=219270

sscamaro · 02-28-2022, 01:23 PM

I've had the separate clutch reservoir on my SS since 2010. It's easy to change the fluid on them. I just suck out the old fluid and put new fluid in. I then pump the clutch pedal about 10 times, then suck out the fluid again, which is still dirty. I do this till the fluid is clean again.

fz4k98 · 02-28-2022, 05:15 PM

The only way to get it all is at the end of each line at the bleeder. I had real clean reservoir fluid from many clutch bleeds and then did the brakes and the fluid was black at each bleeder.

thebluecamaross · 02-28-2022, 09:03 PM

Hey Man, thanks for getting back.

So, do you bleed the clutch fluid (from the separate clutch reservoir) from the clutch bleeder valve thats on the side of the transmission?

I'll need to know the process for when I actually install the separate reservoir. Thanks!

thebluecamaross · 02-28-2022, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sscamaro

I've had the separate clutch reservoir on my SS since 2010. It's easy to change the fluid on them. I just suck out the old fluid and put new fluid in. I then pump the clutch pedal about 10 times, then suck out the fluid again, which is still dirty. I do this till the fluid is clean again.

Hey Man, thanks for getting back.

So, do you bleed the clutch fluid (from the separate clutch reservoir) from the clutch bleeder valve thats on the side of the transmission?

I'll need to know the process for when I actually install the separate reservoir. Thanks!

sscamaro · 03-01-2022, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thebluecamaross

Hey Man, thanks for getting back.

So, do you bleed the clutch fluid (from the separate clutch reservoir) from the clutch bleeder valve thats on the side of the transmission?

I'll need to know the process for when I actually install the separate reservoir. Thanks!

I have a thing that is pump that pumps fluid out of a container , I can suck out the fluid into a coffee can. I stick the tube in the clutch reservoir and press on the handle, which sucks the fluid into the can. I don't remember what it's called or where I got it. I'll take a picture of it and try to post it on here.

MSgt O · 03-01-2022, 01:19 PM

You CAN use the bleeder on the side of the transmission. But, when i did mine, I used a turkey baster and just removed fluid, pumped the clutch, removed fluid, replaced with new fluid, pumped the clutch, removed and added fluid, pumped the clutch, and eventually it'll be clean. SS most likely has a vacuum pump that is usefull, but a turkey baster works, just slow.

NOT A 45 · 03-01-2022, 02:33 PM

All the suggestions I see here are great. Without a pressure bleeder what I do is remove all the fluid from the reservoir, refill with new fluid, then gravity bleed each thing individually. Start with the clutch, open the bleeder and let it go for about 2 or 3 minuets. Then l/f wheel a min or so , r/f maybe 2 min, rear wheels about 5 min. All the old fluid should be out by this point.

02-28-2022, 12:05 PM	#1
thebluecamaross Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS ABM Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Miami Posts: 45	Brake & Clutch Fluid - Bleed, Flush & replacement HELP Hello All, I need some advise, but most importantly, clarification on the brake & clutch flushing/replacement process for our 5th gen cars. Please pardon the ignorance. 1) Since the clutch and brake fluid share the same master reservoir, is just bleeding the brakes sufficient to bleed the clutch as well or is there a separate process for that? - Is there a good thread to follow on the bleeding of the two components? Also, what tools do you recommend me getting. 2) I bought the Separate clutch reservoir from JDP sports and I wanted to know if it's best to do the flush now or after I install the clutch reservoir. I imagine at that point I'd need to bleed each component separately. - Is there a good thread for reference for tools needed and steps to take? THANKS!

02-28-2022, 12:43 PM	#2
MSgt O Drives: 2012 Camaro 2SS/RS Vert LS3/M6 Join Date: Aug 2021 Location: Cheboygan, Michigan Posts: 914	No, the brakes and clutch do not interface that way. The resevoir yes, but not the lines. I would do it after, but thats just me. You should read through this:https://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=219270

02-28-2022, 01:23 PM	#3
sscamaro Drives: 2010 2SS, 2017 Silverado LTZ Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Denver,PA Posts: 3,195 View My Garage	I've had the separate clutch reservoir on my SS since 2010. It's easy to change the fluid on them. I just suck out the old fluid and put new fluid in. I then pump the clutch pedal about 10 times, then suck out the fluid again, which is still dirty. I do this till the fluid is clean again.

02-28-2022, 05:15 PM	#4
fz4k98 Drives: 2013 1ss Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: WI. Posts: 569	The only way to get it all is at the end of each line at the bleeder. I had real clean reservoir fluid from many clutch bleeds and then did the brakes and the fluid was black at each bleeder.

02-28-2022, 09:03 PM	#5
thebluecamaross Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS ABM Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Miami Posts: 45	Hey Man, thanks for getting back. So, do you bleed the clutch fluid (from the separate clutch reservoir) from the clutch bleeder valve thats on the side of the transmission? I'll need to know the process for when I actually install the separate reservoir. Thanks!

03-01-2022, 01:19 PM	#8
MSgt O Drives: 2012 Camaro 2SS/RS Vert LS3/M6 Join Date: Aug 2021 Location: Cheboygan, Michigan Posts: 914	You CAN use the bleeder on the side of the transmission. But, when i did mine, I used a turkey baster and just removed fluid, pumped the clutch, removed fluid, replaced with new fluid, pumped the clutch, removed and added fluid, pumped the clutch, and eventually it'll be clean. SS most likely has a vacuum pump that is usefull, but a turkey baster works, just slow.

03-01-2022, 02:33 PM	#9
NOT A 45 Drives: 13 CAMARO 2SS LS3-04 SILVERADO LS3 Join Date: Dec 2021 Location: SOUTHERN MARYLAND Posts: 801	All the suggestions I see here are great. Without a pressure bleeder what I do is remove all the fluid from the reservoir, refill with new fluid, then gravity bleed each thing individually. Start with the clutch, open the bleeder and let it go for about 2 or 3 minuets. Then l/f wheel a min or so , r/f maybe 2 min, rear wheels about 5 min. All the old fluid should be out by this point.