Overview

This guide goes through the steps we used to flush the brake fluid on a 1987 Ferrari Testarossa. For the Testarossa, flushing the brake fluid is no different than any normal car, except the clutch fluid needs to be bled at the same time. We chose to use a Motive brake fluid power bleeder instead of flushing the brake fluid the manual way with one person pumping the brake pedal. The Motive brake fluid power bleeder saves a significant amount of time and only requires one person. If you flush your brake fluid often (e.g. if you track the car often), we definitely recommend getting one.

Before flushing the old fluid, you could use a turkey baster to remove some of the old fluid in the reservoir first to reduce the amount of fluid being flushed and prevent mixing of new and old fluid. Personally, we did not do this, since the Motive brake fluid power bleeder makes quick work of the flush and have not seen an issue of old vs. new fluid mixing.

NOTE: Always be careful not to spill brake fluid on any painted surface. Brake fluid will remove paint very easily and quickly! Also, be careful with brake cleaner, since it will discolor paint protection film (PPF)/clear bra.



Parts Used

Part Quantity Part No. Links to ones we used
Brake Fluid ~ 2 L Valvoline DOT 3 and 4 Brake Fluid Amazon
Brake Parts Cleaner 1 - 2 Chlorine-Free Brake Parts Cleaner Amazon



Tools Used

Tool Link
Quick Jack BL-5000XL portable lift Amazon
Jack Stands Amazon
Wheel Removal Tools Guide
7 mm Open-end Wrench 1 Amazon
13 mm Flare Nut Wrench Amazon
Motive Brake Fluid Catch Bottle(s) Amazon
Motive Brake Fluid Power Bleeder Kit Amazon

Tools used for a Ferrari Testarossa brake fluid flush

1Ideally, it would be best to use a flare nut wrench (like this 7 x 8 mm flare nut wrench); however, finding a 7 mm flare nut wrench can be difficult. We chose to use a regular combination wrench (the open-end).

Procedure Used


1. First, we lifted the car off the ground - enough for us to easily remove all four wheels. We used a QuickJack along with a few jack stands to error on the side of safety. Ferrari Testarossa on the QuickJack BL-5000XL portable lift
2. Following the method outlined in our single wheel nut guide, we removed all four wheels. If your car is a model year 1988.5 or later, remove the 5 lug nuts to remove the wheels. Ferrari Testarossa wheel removal
3. Next, we filled the Motive brake fluid power bleeder with two bottles (rougly 2 L) of brake fluid. Motive Brake Fluid Power Bleeder filling
4. Moving to the front driver's side, we attached the Motive brake fluid power bleeder to the reservoir, located inside the front trunk. After insuring a good seal with the reservoir, the Motive brake fluid power bleeder was pumped to a pressure of 15 - 20 PSI. Ferrari Testarossa brake fluid reservoir
5. As stated in the workshop manual, we started with the right front caliper. We used a minimal amount of brake cleaner to clean on and around the valve. Placing the hose of the Motive brake fluid catch bottle over the lower bleeder valve, the 7 mm wrench was then used to open the bleeder valve. Ferrari Testarossa lower brake caliper bleeder valve
6. While monitoring the fluid exiting the valve, as the fluid visibly changed to new fluid, we tightened the bleeder valve. At this point there should not be any air bubbles in the fluid exiting the valve. If there were bubbles, we would have opened the valve to continue flushing the fluid until absolutely no air bubbles were visible. Again, use brake cleaner to clean any brake fluid left on/around the valve. NOTE: It is important that the reservoir fluid does not fall below 1/4 of the maximum level and that the Motive brake fluid power bleeder does not run out of fluid. If the reservoir becomes empty, air is introduced into the brake line and the whole process must be restarted.
7. Next, we attached the Motive brake fluid power bleeder hose to the top bleeder valve and repeated Steps 5. and 6.. Ferrari Testarossa upper brake caliper bleeder valve
8. With the front right caliper complete, we repeated Steps 5. - 7. on the front left, right rear and left rear calipers.
9. For flushing the fluid to the clutch, we located the bleeder valve under the air intake/filter (as shown to the right). We used a minimal amount of brake cleaner to clean on and around the valve. Ferrari Testarossa clutch fluid bleeder valve location
10. Next, the hose of the Motive brake fluid catch bottle was attached to the bleeder valve. With the Motive brake fluid power bleeder still pressurized to 15 - 20 PSI, use the 13 mm flare nut wrench to open the bleeder valve. At first, the old fluid may be quite dark. This discoloration is caused by the significant amount of heat that the fluid is exposed to from the engine. Ferrari Testarossa clutch fluid bleeder valve
11. Just as with the brake calipers, once the fluid is visibly the new fluid, use the 13 mm flare nut wrench to close the valve. Again, use brake cleaner to clean any brake fluid left on/around the valve.
12. After bleeding all of the calipers and clutch, the brake and clutch pedals should not be spongy. The pressing action should be progressive after the short free travel of the pedals.
13. Before and after our next drive, we checked all of the bleeder valves and fluid reservoir to insure that no fluid was leaking.


References


  1. Ferrari S.p.A. Owner's Manual - Testarossa U.S. Version 1987 Models. Ferrari S.p.A., 1987.
  2. Ferrari S.p.A. Owner's Manual - Testarossa U.S. Version 1985/85 Models. Ferrari S.p.A., 1985.
  3. Ferrari S.p.A. Workshop Manual - Testarossa. Ferrari S.p.A., 1984.