Turkey baster method

[Ihatetochangeoil]

I got a response from [email protected] in regard to reverse bleeding, which is NOT advisable on vehicles with ABS: https://www.brakebleeder.com/preventing-damage-abs-modulators-brake-pad-replacement/ Since this company also sells reverse bleeders, I sent them the email referenced in post #37 above. I received the following:

Thanks for pointing this out. The article is correct. When bleeding brakes you should always begin with new brake fluid. You can use the Phoenix Reverse bleeder as a vacuum bleeder and exchange the fluid from the top down. Once clear brake fluid is flowing you can then proceed to reverse bleed.

Air normally only gets trapped inside a brake system when replacing a brake part. When any brake part is changed the brake fluid should also be changed as old brake fluid can corrode a new part faster than an old part.

Jeremiah Terry
Phoenix Systems LLC
P. 435.216.1879 M. 435.862.1571 F. 435.673.0222
1076 East Commerce Dr Suite 400
St. George, UT 84790
[email protected]

In simple terms, ABS Modulators DO have non-serviceable filters [BTW, I first heard this from Trav], and should not be reverse bled (unless bleeding from the "top down" is accomplished first) but why bleed both ways? This means that the brake bleeding procedure I spelled out in post #35 above is correct.

 

[Trav]

Generally I use reverse bleeding on systems that have problems getting rid of air, if the vehicle has ABS the system must be completely flushed though with clean fluid first then there is little to no risk of contamination going back through the ABS unit.
For this reason I never push the caliper piston back on these systems but rather open the bleeder let the piston push it out, once the piston is fully retracted go about the job as usual.

For general brake bleeding I prefer pressure bleeding from the top down or with a scan tool if possible. I did an old MG clutch that would not bleed, reverse bleeding took care of it in no time. There is a place for all techniques apply the one best suited to the job you are doing.
JM2C