The correct order to bleed brakes?

Status
Not open for further replies.
Joined
Mar 28, 2010
Messages
2,033
Location
Michigan
I have seen a few youtube videos showing different ways to bleed brakes. What is the correct order to bleed brakes? So what happens if I don't bleed my brakes in the correct order?
 
Last edited:
I think it depends on the car and location of master cylinder.

Look up the factory service manual to make sure.

Or a vehicle specific forum.

Driveaccord, clublexus etc
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: Warstud
Start with the wheel/caliper that's furthest away from the Master Cylinder.


+1
 
Check the manual. I'll say this every time. Based on the path of the brake lines, the longest path to the rear wheel on a 1st generation Neon was to the driver rear wheel. This is because the lines were routed along the passenger side of the car. What happens if it is done differently?
Don't know.
 
Originally Posted By: BobsArmory
I have seen a few youtube videos showing different ways to bleed brakes. What is the correct order to bleed brakes? So what happens if I don't bleed my brakes in the correct order?


What is the purpose of the bleed, to purge air from the lines or to remove old fluid?

If you are wanting to make sure you get any air purged, the Haynes manual for my car (Dodge Challenger) says to start with the car's rear end raised slightly higher than the front and go farthest from master cylinder and work your way toward closest. So on my car for example, that would be the RR, then LR, followed by the RF, and then finally the LF.

On the other hand, if you are replacing the fluid in the brake system and just wanting to get rid of the old fluid from each brake and make sure it is replaced with fresh fluid you are pouring in at the master cylinder, I believe the method mentioned above is less of a "must" to follow. In my opinion, following the opposite route would be better in this scenario, that way you are forcing old fluid through the shortest route to get out of the system first. But again, that's just my opinion and not backed up by any evidence except anecdotal - I did it this way when I replaced the fluid in my Challenger and have not had any brake problems in the 10 months/50K miles since.
 
Totally vehicle specific if it has ABS, Some SUV's and pickups for example with the ABS units under the vehicle on the left side almost in the middle of the vehicle the r/front it furthest away from the MC.
Unless the vehicle has no ABS its best to check the service information. Right hand drive vehicles may be be different from left hand drive also.
The general "rule of thumb" methods are becoming less applicable to modern vehicles with every new model as it always has every 30 or so years.
 
Originally Posted By: bdcardinal
It all depends. The farthest away from the master is a good general rule, but some cars have different orders.


X2, very platform specific.
 
Originally Posted By: BobsArmory
Originally Posted By: dlundblad
What vehicle?


2009 Chevy Silverado


Assuming this to be a maintenance flush, you can open all 4 corners and gravity bleed it. As long as nobody touches the brake pedal (and the fluid is kept from emptying out the master cylinder.)

Using 4 drip pans to catch the brake fluid this is the safest method to get the old out and new in. And it can be done without an assistant.
 
I bleed right back and left front because those brake assemblies are on the some master cylinder circuit. Some prefer beginning at the farthest wheel from the master cylinder and proceeding to closest wheel. I don't think it makes that much different. The Toyota repair manual for my 04 doesn't specify a sequence for bleeding brakes.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top Bottom