Thread: Bleeding brakes

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Can anyone tell me how to bleed my rear brakes by myself?

http://www.nextag.com/Mityvac-MIT682...98/prices-html

If you need to do this now, and can't get to a vacuum type bleeder, sometimes this gets all the air out:

1.Fill up master cylinder and close lid
2.Pump,pump, pump, and pump the brake pedal
3.Uncover the master cylinder
4.Open bleeders (one at a time at first, starting with farthest from master)

If you have lots of air in the line, you may have to cycle through this a few times to get the fluid flowing. However once the fluid is flowing, gravity will work the fluid through the lines.

5.KEEP AN EYE ON THE FLUID LEVEL, you will have to top it off
6.Tighten bleeders and fill master to proper level

Also, tapping on the lines with a wrench can get the fluid flowing to push out air pockets.

Broom stick.................................pump up brakes put a precut broom handle on the brake pedal up to the seat or stearing wheel that keeps the pedal down. Then go loosen the bleeder......just a little at a time.....don't want the stick to fall out of place.
I use my 4 yr old to help me bleed my brakes..........got any nieces or nephews you can baby sit LOL.

I never had luck bracing the brake pedal. The pedal always relaxed and pulled in air. Come to think of it I have never seen it done-Only heard the stories. hmm... Good myth to test.

You can't leave the bleeder open too long, just half a second or so, long enough to barely let the pressure off the pedal. This does take several trips back and forth to reset the pedal each time you bleed it.

found these jewels at a garage sale about 3 weeks apart. They work great.

"found these jewels at a garage sale about 3 weeks apart. They work great."

NICE!

by yourself. fill the M/C jack up the front, crack both rear bleeders, grab a sanwich, watch some TV, check the forums ( here ) for about 4 or 5 hours, go back, close them up, refill M/C, they'll be bled out by then. called gravity bleeding

Originally Posted by Matt167

by yourself. fill the M/C jack up the front, crack both rear bleeders, grab a sanwich, watch some TV, check the forums ( here ) for about 4 or 5 hours, go back, close them up, refill M/C, they'll be bled out by then. called gravity bleeding

Yup, gravity bleeding works great for me!!!! I prefer chocolate chip cookies over sandwiches, though!!! With a stock car, and the master cylinder above the wheel cylinders it should work fine. Just put a piece of clear plastic hose on them and keep the reservoir full. Good way to get all that old fluid out and new fluid in, too!!!!!!!

ttommy - if you want to spend the money they make self closing bleeders that will let you open up each bleeder and pump the brakes and they won't suck any air back in - not too expensive (I think) - haven't used them but they sound like a good idea - let us knowhow you solve your problem. Good luck, charlyg.

When vacuum bleeding or pump bleeding with check valve type bleeder fittings, always use pipe paste on the bleeder threads, or you suck small amounts of air into the system.

I find that a "little giant" hand held vacuum pump to be good for a "one person" operation.

Remember, all of that pumping-pumping-pumping of the brake pedal puts wear on all of the M/C parts.....Most racecar techs would hang you if you pump the brakes because it scores an aluminum cylinder easier than a cast iron one.

Their method is to just press down once, bleed. Release, wait a sec., press down and bleed. It takes a lot of patience, but you wind up with less wear -and-tear on your expensive parts.

You guys are great!!! Out of all the tips I've gotten in the last two days, I think the "gravity bleed" is the one that will work best for me. My next stop is the grocery store for snacks. I've already got my new StreetScene mag. Thanks for all the advice. I'll let y'all know how it works out.

Hey Tommy I have a homemade pressure bleeder I'll loan you if you need it. I have to do this stuff by myself all the time. I tried the Mityvac bleeder, but it didn't work well on the rear of the 46. My pressure rig is cobbled together, but it is the easiest thing I have found.

Originally Posted by cffisher

found these jewels at a garage sale about 3 weeks apart. They work great.

I have used these over the years, and I still have three of them.
I make them out of VW beetle Washer bottles, they are pressurized by the spare tire. Just fill them up with brake fluid, and you'll need another master cover. Put a small tubing fitting (any hardware store) in the cover and hook the tube to it, screw the other end to your tire and bleed. I put a wire on it, and hang it on the hood somewhere.

Just another idea.


Pat