Brake Bleeding

[bobbyhi]

OK guys/gals, I have a couple of probably stupid questions regarding bleeding the brakes. I bought a pressure bleeder and I am wondering if I have to:

1. Empty the resevoir before I put on the bleeder?
2. The rear resevoir - does this "drain" when the pressure is applied?
If not, how does that fluid leave the system?

I am assuming that the "front" resevoir is the one to put the bleeder on.

I know that this is pretty easy for you that fix and re-build your engines but I have never used a pressure bleeder before and I don't want to screw things up. Thanks for your help!!!

[Aurora40]

My guess... Put it on the front, then you "drain" it out the bleed screws on the two front calipers. Just make sure not to push air into it by bleeding all the fluid out. It leaves the system through each caliper bleed screw.

Then do the same on the rear reservoir and the rear caliper bleed screws.

You could suction some of the fluid out of the reservoirs first and then put clean fluid in if you wanted to do it that way, it means less you have to push through the system. That's usually what I do. Plus you can suck up the crud that accumulates on the bottom of the reservoirs that way.

But I've only ever used suction bleeders, not pressure...

I'm not fond of any of the pressue bleeders. Either forcing or vacuuming fluid. I prefer the old method of pump and hold. Even when I have used vacuum bleeders, I still have gone through and done the manual method.

[mbabbitt]

Bob,

I have a '94 that fortunately only has one reservoir. I bleed my brakes ALOT. I use a Motive Power Bleeder. I use a plastic syringe, I think its 30 ml. I get them free at Eckards Drug store. I ask for a dozen and they're all free. Suck out all the old black fluid from the reservoir. Clean the bottom of each reservoir with a screwdriver and tissue until they are CLEAN. Attach the power bleeder and have at it. Don't let the reservoir fluid get TOO LOW or you risk getting air into the lines.

Mark
Durham, NC
1994 #444
NC State ZR-1 Net Registry Director

[marc.madmax]

Originally Posted by mbabbitt

Bob,

I have a '94 that fortunately only has one reservoir. I bleed my brakes ALOT. I use a Motive Power Bleeder. I use a plastic syringe, I think its 30 ml. I get them free at Eckards Drug store. I ask for a dozen and they're all free. Suck out all the old black fluid from the reservoir. Clean the bottom of each reservoir with a screwdriver and tissue until they are CLEAN. Attach the power bleeder and have at it. Don't let the reservoir fluid get TOO LOW or you risk getting air into the lines.

Mark
Durham, NC
1994 #444
NC State ZR-1 Net Registry Director

Hey Mark, The only thing I would hesitate to do was use a tissue in the reservoir. the tissue cotton left behind becomes part of the problem for the next bleed. I use a recently retired toothbrush and extra brake fluid then suck out the residue before putting fresh stuff in. I had a contaminated front brake reservoir ruin my day at a race day event. (no damage, but shortened my track time and at 250 for the day i was not happy)

[Aurora40]

I use one of those little mityvac things, and it'll suck the crap right off the bottom of the brake reservior. I've never wiped it with anything.

[Z Factor]

Originally Posted by mbabbitt

I use a plastic syringe, I think its 30 ml. I get them free at Eckards Drug store. I ask for a dozen and they're all free.

Hello Mark and welcome to the forum.

I am surprised that Eckards just gives out syringes like that unless you know someone there perhaps

[bobbyhi]

Thanks for the replies. I have been out of town for awhile so couldn't respond. Sounds like I have some work to do this weekend...

[mbabbitt]

Originally Posted by bobbyhi

Thanks for the replies. I have been out of town for awhile so couldn't respond. Sounds like I have some work to do this weekend...

If in fact the rear reservoir is for the rear calipers and the front reservoir is for the front calipers, bleed the rears first, passenger side then drivers side. Then do the fronts, passenger side, then finally the drivers side.

Mark

[tomtom72]

I'd like to know your impressions of that product when you're done Bob. Thanks.

I bought the "speedbleeders" from speedbleeder.com and have used them with great results. I'm working alone pretty much as none of the local vette owner's I hang with are much into turning their own wrenchs. They all have C5/6's so it seems they have a larger selection of shops to use.

Anyway, I can tell you that those speed bleeders are the nuts....work as advertized & they have to be the cheapest mod I've seen that pay big dividends. Working alone it takes me longer to put her up on stands & pull the rear wheels than it does to bleed the system for a fluid swap.

Good luck with the motive tool!

Tom