Hi, I have a 93 850 N/A and I'm having difficulty getting the DOT 4 brake fluid it requires. I live in Canada, so I'm not sure if the other Canadian guys on here can point me in the right direction. Dealer isn't an option - they say they only have bulk. Didn't see it at Canadian Tire either. Any ideas?

Also, does anybody have a link to a good write up on how to bleed the brakes? The manual is ok, but looking for more info.

Hi I purchased on Ebay an accessory for brake bleeding which I found worked very well. Check out the seller here

http://motors.search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZbluechips2001

Place a block of wood beneath the brake pedal to reduce the pedal stroke and start bleeding the caliper furthest away from the reservoir, ending up at the caliper the closest. Check and top up the reservoir frequently whilst performing the bleeding operation. Spray onto the bleeding nipples some WD40 a few days before the job to make sure you'll be able to easily open them. A second helper is good to have to slowly pump the pedal whilst you are looking at the jar in which the old fluid is collected, and to decide when to stop bleeding a particular caliper based on the colour of the fluid coming out.

Hope this helps. Phil

--
'98 N/A S70 184,000Klm

Check volvospeed.com/bay13 for brake fluid change info. Helps to have a "power bleeder" that you can get from groton or IPD et al. I have a cheapo ( about $20. USD I think) that works fine using spare tire pressure. They all work the same way. You add fluid and pressurize the container to ~20 psi after connecting it to the master cylinder with a special cap. Then you just open individual bleed screws at each wheel until clean fluid runs out. Otherwise you need an assistant to pump the pedal and to keep adding fluid to the MC. Beware introducing air into ABS systems which can cost you mega$$$$$$$ and be a total nightmare to get out

bl

Groton had DOT 4 @ $7.50 qt USD

http://www.fcpgroton.com/volvo850brakes.htm

Not that easy to find in the U.S. either but NAPA has it for about $8 for a quart.

Your dealer may only stock bulk but he can order smaller containers. Ask them to order volvo part# 9437433 it is a 250ml can of brake fluid specific to US/Canada cars.

I'm amazed to hear you are having trouble finding DOT 4 in Canada. Even my dealer in Jackson, Mississippi, has these 250 ml cans. And AutoZone, etc., have DOT 4 from other brands.

I think some owners or shops are putting in DOT3 which is lower-boiling. I looked at several shops in my area (in the USA) before finding DOT4. An old fashioned auto parts store with real guys behind a real counter had it in small cans.

If you are just trying to renew old brake fluid and don't now have any air in the system you can use a plastic syringe and a tube to gently pull fluid out the bleed at each caliper. I found a threaded fitting that would enter into where the bleed screw was. It was nylon or delrin with the proper thread. You don't need to push on the brake pedal at all or have the car running, since the system is open at rest. Whatever you withdraw you must replace in the master cylinder before the level gets low, and you should work slowly, to ensure you won't introduce any air.

This can even work if you are replacing a caliper. When you remove the caliper plug the hose end so fluid will not run out through the system. Prime the new caliper with some fluid, reattach the brake line and pull a couple of hundred ml of fluid through the caliper's bleed, before any small amount of trapped air starts to move.

For a more drastic repair such as new master cyl or other major part, where air has been trapped, you would need to follow the official procedure.