Post by neil on Apr 5, 2012 16:35:48 GMT -5
Bleeding brakes
Here is the easiest way to bleed brakes effectively.
Start by finding a hose that fits tightly over the nipple of the bleeder on either the caliper or rear brake cylinder bleeder.
Next find a clear bottle and fill it 1" from the bottom with fresh fluid. Insert the opposite end of the hose.
Crack the bleeder about 1/2 of a turn and begin slowly pumping the brake pedal. (Make sure the Master is full of fluid first).
As long as the bleeder is tight in the threads you should see all the air being purged from the line entering the bottle that is to stay submerged in the fluid you added to it prior.
You should notice the fluid level increasing and slightly decreasing apon pedal release......meaning that there is no air remaining in that circuit.tighten the bleeder and then remove the hose from the bottle and bleeder.
Always bleed from the longest circuit first and finish on the shortest. Typically right rear to left rear. right front to left front.
If there is a problem with air being drawn back thru the threads of the bleeder you will notice continuous little purges of air with each pedal stroke.
Revert to the classic two person method of bleeding. Never pump the pedal and hold while the other person cracks the bleeder. 1- you shoot fluid everywhere 2= your acctually compressing the air into the fluid causing air to reaccumulate later.
A very light pressure on the pedal works best.....crack the bleeder until the person holding the pedal bottoms on the floor and holds it there until you retighten the bleeder.
Continue in this process until no air bubbles are present.
REMEMBER: don't let the master run low on fluid, and try not to expose brake fluid to the air more than neccessary as it will absorb moisture from the atmosphere causing lower boiling points and possible brake fade.
Brake fluid ages like all other fluids so it is reccomended to fully flush the system every few yrs.
If you have ABS also know that it is not reccomended to compress the caliper pistons without cracking the bleeder to drain off old fluid. Particles or varnish from old brake fluid will be pushed back thru the ABS unit causing it to be disabled by sticking valves.
Here is the easiest way to bleed brakes effectively.
Start by finding a hose that fits tightly over the nipple of the bleeder on either the caliper or rear brake cylinder bleeder.
Next find a clear bottle and fill it 1" from the bottom with fresh fluid. Insert the opposite end of the hose.
Crack the bleeder about 1/2 of a turn and begin slowly pumping the brake pedal. (Make sure the Master is full of fluid first).
As long as the bleeder is tight in the threads you should see all the air being purged from the line entering the bottle that is to stay submerged in the fluid you added to it prior.
You should notice the fluid level increasing and slightly decreasing apon pedal release......meaning that there is no air remaining in that circuit.tighten the bleeder and then remove the hose from the bottle and bleeder.
Always bleed from the longest circuit first and finish on the shortest. Typically right rear to left rear. right front to left front.
If there is a problem with air being drawn back thru the threads of the bleeder you will notice continuous little purges of air with each pedal stroke.
Revert to the classic two person method of bleeding. Never pump the pedal and hold while the other person cracks the bleeder. 1- you shoot fluid everywhere 2= your acctually compressing the air into the fluid causing air to reaccumulate later.
A very light pressure on the pedal works best.....crack the bleeder until the person holding the pedal bottoms on the floor and holds it there until you retighten the bleeder.
Continue in this process until no air bubbles are present.
REMEMBER: don't let the master run low on fluid, and try not to expose brake fluid to the air more than neccessary as it will absorb moisture from the atmosphere causing lower boiling points and possible brake fade.
Brake fluid ages like all other fluids so it is reccomended to fully flush the system every few yrs.
If you have ABS also know that it is not reccomended to compress the caliper pistons without cracking the bleeder to drain off old fluid. Particles or varnish from old brake fluid will be pushed back thru the ABS unit causing it to be disabled by sticking valves.