is it mandatory to flush brake fluid after replacing brakes?

[fpmesiIII]

I am having my mechanic check my brakes because there is a pulsating feel when braking. if you replace the brakes are you suppose to flush and replace the brake fluid. n00b question, but curious.

[JimD]

Recommended. Some say every three to four years; I replace my fluid every two years.

Before you drop the cash for a lot of new parts, why not try putting some serious heat into your existing brakes with 10 hard stops from 45 MPH. Hard stops! Just short of getting ABS action. Expect some smoke and brake pad glue aroma.

Let the brakes cool for an hour and repeat.

[EcSTSatic]

If the fluid has never been replaced on your '96 you should do it. Over time the hydraulic system accumulates comtaminants including moisture which lowers the boiling point and may corrode metal parts in the system.
It's a good way to ensure that the air has been driven out after a brake job too.

[fpmesiIII]

Originally Posted by JimD

Recommended. Some say every three to four years; I replace my fluid every two years.

Before you drop the cash for a lot of new parts, why not try putting some serious heat into your existing brakes with 10 hard stops from 45 MPH. Hard stops! Just short of getting ABS action. Expect some smoke and brake pad glue aroma.

Let the brakes cool for an hour and repeat.

I tried the 10 hard stops from 45MPH, it seems to have smoothed it out a bit. what exactly does this procedure do?

[JimD]

Originally Posted by fpmesiIII

I tried the 10 hard stops from 45MPH, it seems to have smoothed it out a bit. what exactly does this procedure do?

What that procedure does is called "bedding" the brake pads to the rotor. The bedding insures there is an even, consistent thickness layer of friction material deposited on the pad surface of the rotor.

An uneven distribution of friction material on the rotor can "feel like" warped rotors. Normal city type driving with the average car and OEM brake setup does not result in the temperatures required to affect the consistent layer thickness. In fact, the opposite is true.

Try a web search for "brake pad bedding" and read a few of the articles. There is one piece out there from StopTech that should contain pictures and a detailed narrative of the whys and hows. You might have to do some reading between the lines and discard any information dealing with "competition" or "performance" applications.

Bottom line is brake rotors on street-driven cars rarely warp.