Bleeding brake systems

[ZZman]

I watched a mechanic changing my pads and rotors on my 2005 Sebring convertible. (Too cold for me to do outside)

Instead of taking the cap off and draining out some fluid, he cracked open the bleeders when he pushed the caliper pistons in.He said this is better for anti-lock brake systems to do this. I had not seen or heard of this before. (limited knowledge)

Is this correct?

 

[bepperb]

I've heard of that but I don't do it. I think it's a good idea, the fluid in the piston never get's pushed back into the system. But I don't do it, I think I'd make a mess and it's one more hose dangling about while you try to work.

It doesn't flush any of the fluid in the lines so weather you do this or not a flush is still needed IMO.

 

[Bluestream]

He is correct; I do it all the time. Why push dirty fluid back into the system?

I did my Explorer rears last week and got about 150cc out of each side

 

[PF52]

Its not much more than a few drops of fluid. Even attaching a hose, it makes a mess, so lately I don't even attach the hose anymore. I just clean up with paper towels.

 

[Lead Shoes]

IMO it is easier to let it spill on the concrete and use paper towels and brake cleaner than it is ti fight one more hose while you work.

But what he did is completely normal, some people don't bother others do.

 

[mechanicx]

This has been discussed before believe it or not. Several posters said they always crack the bleeders but few mechanics do it and it's not listed in any service manual I've seen. It just another step to do that can open up potential problems with stuck bleeders. It's not a bad idea to open the bleeders, push out the old fluid and any potential residue out of the system, while keeping the bleeders from getting frozen up.

 

[beast3300]

Originally Posted By: ZZman
I watched a mechanic changing my pads and rotors on my 2005 Sebring convertible. (Too cold for me to do outside)

Instead of taking the cap off and draining out some fluid, he cracked open the bleeders when he pushed the caliper pistons in.He said this is better for anti-lock brake systems to do this. I had not seen or heard of this before. (limited knowledge)

Is this correct?





Yes, it is correct but not many people (technicians or DIY-ers) in general will do this.

 

[Artem]

Originally Posted By: css9450
Its not much more than a few drops of fluid. Even attaching a hose, it makes a mess, so lately I don't even attach the hose anymore. I just clean up with paper towels.


LOL. that works.

I stick a hose (which is the same one i use on pretty much all cars while this) into an empty bottle of water and collect the fluid. The clear bottle allows to see the fluid better. I dump the oil from the bottle after each caliper.

There's a "proper" way of doing things and then there's the "it'll be fine, just do it" way.

 

[ltslimjim]

Learned this from ericthecarguy.

 

[Ursae_Majoris]

That's how I do it, both on ABS and non-ABS vehicles. The amount of fluid lost is so small, that I never needed to top off the brake fluid reservoir.
IIRC Chilton's for my 1989 Mirage mentioned it. My first brake job was on that car, and I did it ever since.

 

[rjacket]

If you haven't had a brake fluid change in 2-4 years, then that was an opportune time to do it.

Old brake fluid is particularly bad for ABS components.

 

[bepperb]

Originally Posted By: Artem
Originally Posted By: css9450
Its not much more than a few drops of fluid. Even attaching a hose, it makes a mess, so lately I don't even attach the hose anymore. I just clean up with paper towels.


LOL. that works.

I stick a hose (which is the same one i use on pretty much all cars while this) into an empty bottle of water and collect the fluid. The clear bottle allows to see the fluid better. I dump the oil from the bottle after each caliper.

There's a "proper" way of doing things and then there's the "it'll be fine, just do it" way.


How can you even do a brake job sitting on such a high horse?

 

[bdcardinal]

What I want to know is, why do people have such problems with the hoses? If you buy the little cup with a hose and elbows that is designed for collecting brake fluid at any parts house for $10 or less there is no mess. The elbows fit snug on the bleeder.

FWIW on my Volvo I have 2 bleeders per caliper (factory Brembos) and I have 2 cups hooked up while I use my fixed piston compressor to push all 4 pistons back in at once, never spilled a drop of fluid.

 

[Bluestream]

Hooking a hose to the bleeder takes about 10 seconds, with another 5 seconds to stick the hose in a container.

Way easier than then to clean your concrete

 

[mechtech2]

Good idea. In real life, bleeders often stick or break. And if you can't tighten them again to seal, it's another problem.
So many good mechanics don't do this.

 

[beast3300]

Originally Posted By: mechtech2
Good idea. In real life, bleeders often stick or break. And if you can't tighten them again to seal, it's another problem.
So many good mechanics don't do this.


+1 not to mention time is money. And a hanging work order isn't gonna make me money, especially if somebody else grabs it.