Folks, I admit I do not own or even know how a pressure bleeder works. Is there any other way to do it so I don't need to pay a dealer. And all my cars have abs on them. Can I suck out the resevoir, then refill, and then bleed the [censored] out of all the brakes?
Flushing my own brake fluid?
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Sucking out the reservoir only does that, is really is a waste of time . You have to push all the crud through the brake system and out of the calipers /brake cyls.
Easiest thing to do might be to gravity bleed them first. This is slow, but won't hurt anything.
Take out half to 3/4 of the brake fluid in your master and refill with fresh fluid. Open up the bleeder valves on one wheel at a time and let the fluid run out until it is clear. Be sure to keep refilling the master so that doesn't go dry! Repeat for all the wheels then bleed them the old fashioned way.
Take out half to 3/4 of the brake fluid in your master and refill with fresh fluid. Open up the bleeder valves on one wheel at a time and let the fluid run out until it is clear. Be sure to keep refilling the master so that doesn't go dry! Repeat for all the wheels then bleed them the old fashioned way.
Originally Posted By: Steve S
Sucking out the reservoir only does that, is really is a waste of time . You have to push all the crud through the brake system and out of the calipers /brake cyls.
He said he was going to bleed/flush the system after sucking fluid out of the reservoir and obviously refilling it. This is the way I flush my systems.
Sucking out the reservoir only does that, is really is a waste of time . You have to push all the crud through the brake system and out of the calipers /brake cyls.
He said he was going to bleed/flush the system after sucking fluid out of the reservoir and obviously refilling it. This is the way I flush my systems.
You need a friend to press on the brake pedal and to hold it down as you bleed the brakes.
Good idea to suck old fluid out first and refill with new then bleed them.
http://www.popularmechanics.com/automotive/how_to/4213448.html
Good idea to suck old fluid out first and refill with new then bleed them.
http://www.popularmechanics.com/automotive/how_to/4213448.html
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Originally Posted By: Fordiesel69
Folks, I admit I do not own or even know how a pressure bleeder works. Is there any other way to do it so I don't need to pay a dealer. And all my cars have abs on them. Can I suck out the resevoir, then refill, and then bleed the [censored] out of all the brakes?
Yes.
Manually or with a pressure bleeder. Same basic procedure. Pump and hold, bleed from the furthest point from the master cylinder. Close, refill the master and pump&hold. Continue bleeding. Work towards the closest bleeder to the master cylinder. What does the dealer charge for this out of curiosity?
Folks, I admit I do not own or even know how a pressure bleeder works. Is there any other way to do it so I don't need to pay a dealer. And all my cars have abs on them. Can I suck out the resevoir, then refill, and then bleed the [censored] out of all the brakes?
Yes.
Manually or with a pressure bleeder. Same basic procedure. Pump and hold, bleed from the furthest point from the master cylinder. Close, refill the master and pump&hold. Continue bleeding. Work towards the closest bleeder to the master cylinder. What does the dealer charge for this out of curiosity?
How about Speed Bleeders? http://www.speedbleeder.com/
I also find that giving the calipers a few light taps with a hammer (or some heftier whomps with a rubber mallet) as you let the fluid come out removes more air from the system.
Agree with Nyquist. For a basic fluid exchange, gravity bleed works well for me. Pumping the pedal can actually do more harm than good.
I use a helper to stand over the master cylinder to continually add new fluid as the level falls.
I use another helper (usually my daughter) to slowly pump the pedal on command and then hold it down when told to do so.
I start at the right rear wheel and work my way around. I let each corner bleed until the fresh fluid begins to bleed and then close the bleeder.
Been doing it that way for years, never a problem.
I use another helper (usually my daughter) to slowly pump the pedal on command and then hold it down when told to do so.
I start at the right rear wheel and work my way around. I let each corner bleed until the fresh fluid begins to bleed and then close the bleeder.
Been doing it that way for years, never a problem.
Always replace with fresh fluid in the reservoir for any bleeding [it is a good idea just by itself for maintenance]. Why would you want to ever put old fluid n the system??
ABS systems differ. You may have to pump the pedal with the car off 40-50 times to relieve all internal pressure - so get a manual for your specific car and see what's up.
Gravity bleeding is easy and safe. Keep the reservoir filled and simply open a bleeder at each corner, one at a time. Use a hose to direct the drip into a can.
Pressure bleeding is faster, and may help flush the system better. Don't think any type of pressure bleeding will scour the insides, however. You will still have debris in the master and slave cylinders.
ABS systems differ. You may have to pump the pedal with the car off 40-50 times to relieve all internal pressure - so get a manual for your specific car and see what's up.
Gravity bleeding is easy and safe. Keep the reservoir filled and simply open a bleeder at each corner, one at a time. Use a hose to direct the drip into a can.
Pressure bleeding is faster, and may help flush the system better. Don't think any type of pressure bleeding will scour the insides, however. You will still have debris in the master and slave cylinders.
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Originally Posted By: paul246
I use a helper to stand over the master cylinder to continually add new fluid as the level falls.
I use another helper (usually my daughter) to slowly pump the pedal on command and then hold it down when told to do so.
I start at the right rear wheel and work my way around. I let each corner bleed until the fresh fluid begins to bleed and then close the bleeder.
Been doing it that way for years, never a problem.
I find helpers grow up and want to go to college or get married or have babies. Hard to keep a good supply of helpers on hand!!
I use a helper to stand over the master cylinder to continually add new fluid as the level falls.
I use another helper (usually my daughter) to slowly pump the pedal on command and then hold it down when told to do so.
I start at the right rear wheel and work my way around. I let each corner bleed until the fresh fluid begins to bleed and then close the bleeder.
Been doing it that way for years, never a problem.
I find helpers grow up and want to go to college or get married or have babies. Hard to keep a good supply of helpers on hand!!
the mityvac replaced unreliable helpers. I once tried to use my wife as a helper. after 5 mins of no brake pressure I realized she was pushing the clutch pedal!
Originally Posted By: tom slick
the mityvac replaced unreliable helpers. I once tried to use my wife as a helper. after 5 mins of no brake pressure I realized she was pushing the clutch pedal!
Really? I used my son when he was as young as 6. I just put the seat all the way back and had him sit in front of it on the floor. He does a great job.
the mityvac replaced unreliable helpers. I once tried to use my wife as a helper. after 5 mins of no brake pressure I realized she was pushing the clutch pedal!
Really? I used my son when he was as young as 6. I just put the seat all the way back and had him sit in front of it on the floor. He does a great job.
I don't have one of those of any age.
Yesterday my 4 y/o son was helping me cleaning the brakes on my car. The electric power steering is handy. He could push the start button to turn the accessory power on (but not the engine), and turn the steering wheel so I could get at the caliper bolts.
I know someone who told his son when Dad got home after work the son could help him change the oil. During the day the young son took off most of the bolts for the oil pan in an effort to help out. Guess the young son did not see the oil pan had a drain plug!
Originally Posted By: a2z
How about Speed Bleeders?
I'm a big fan of those - they work quite well!
My procedure is as described above - suck the old fluid out of the resevoir, fill it with fresh, then bleed all the wheels until the fluid is clean and bubble free.
How about Speed Bleeders?
I'm a big fan of those - they work quite well!
My procedure is as described above - suck the old fluid out of the resevoir, fill it with fresh, then bleed all the wheels until the fluid is clean and bubble free.
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