How do I bleed my brakes?

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May 9, 2005 | 09:17 PM
  #1  
What is the correct procedure to bleed brakes. I do not have speed bleeders. I know the pattern is Rear Pass, Front Driver, Rear Driver, Front Pass.

Thanks
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May 9, 2005 | 09:22 PM
  #2  
take a little jar, like a baby food jar or something like that and fill it 3/4s full with clean brake fluid. Get a little clear flexible hose from home depot that fits snugly over your caliper bleed bolt. The bolt that you turn and fluid comes out.

Put one end of the hose into the jar and the other end onto the bolt and loosen it. Watch the fluid come out and when it comes out free of air bubbles, that caliper is bled.

While this is going on make sure your master cylinder never runs out of fluid. And make sure the tubing is always under the brake fluid in the jar so never introduce air into the caliper.

Rinse and repeat
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May 9, 2005 | 09:26 PM
  #3  
so attach the hose to the bleeder bolt and put the other end into the jar of brake fluid? Then press the pedal until no bubbles come up?
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May 9, 2005 | 09:29 PM
  #4  
You dont need to press the pedal if you follow my method. The fluid will flow by itself. You can press the pedal to make the process go faster but then you'll need someone to hold the hose in the jar which defeats the purpose of a 1 man bleed apparatus.
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May 9, 2005 | 09:30 PM
  #5  
got it, thanks
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May 9, 2005 | 09:54 PM
  #6  
not pressing pedal = no pressure = no bleeding..

http://www.popularmechanics.com/auto...tml?page=2&c=y
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May 9, 2005 | 09:56 PM
  #7  
Quote: not pressing pedal = no pressure = no bleeding..

http://www.popularmechanics.com/auto...tml?page=2&c=y

You dont need to show me anything from Popular mechanics. I've done it hundreds of times.

There is pressure. It's called gravity.

Is your brake fluid reservoir higher than your calipers?

But thanks. Mr. Wizard
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May 9, 2005 | 10:14 PM
  #8  
Mr. Wizard? What sould we call you?
If you don't press the brake pedal it's going to take you days to bleed it. Call a friend or get a new one and tell them to press the pedal.
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May 10, 2005 | 02:33 PM
  #9  
Gravity was taking too long for me as well. You can buy cheap brake bleeding kits that allow you to leave your container of fluid with the line submerged while you go round the front and press the brake pedal.
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May 10, 2005 | 03:49 PM
  #10  
i recently installed a set of speed bleeders since I frequently autocross and like to bleed frequently. they are so easy to use. just put the speed bleeder bag on, turn the bleeder screw, pump 4 or 5 times, and close the screw, remove the bag. best 30 bucks ive ever spent imo.
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May 11, 2005 | 07:23 AM
  #11  
Different methods and they all works in the same....no matter what method u used...it will works...one might be slow and vice versa but they will still works...so gook luck.
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May 11, 2005 | 08:04 AM
  #12  
A syphon hose and big lips work too!
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May 11, 2005 | 09:06 AM
  #13  
I installed my Speedbleeders a couple weeks ago too. Just make sure that hose doesn't pop off or you'll have brake fluid spraying all over the place when you pump
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May 11, 2005 | 08:01 PM
  #14  
thanks for all the help
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May 12, 2005 | 06:09 AM
  #15  
Someone please take a picture of the bleeder screw. Or tell me where it's near. I'm about to go do this...
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May 12, 2005 | 07:44 AM
  #16  
you'll notice it. . .it should have a little rubber cap on it (if it hasn't fallen off) it's on the caliper pointing up? you'll need a recessed wrench to turn it, though.

-James
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May 12, 2005 | 07:56 AM
  #17  
Quote: you'll notice it. . .it should have a little rubber cap on it (if it hasn't fallen off) it's on the caliper pointing up? you'll need a recessed wrench to turn it, though.

-James
Cool, thanks. I think I saw it, but thanks for pointing out the rubber cap. I don't want to undo the wrong screw.
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May 12, 2005 | 08:38 AM
  #18  
Quote: take a little jar, like a baby food jar or something like that and fill it 3/4s full with clean brake fluid. Get a little clear flexible hose from home depot that fits snugly over your caliper bleed bolt. The bolt that you turn and fluid comes out.

Put one end of the hose into the jar and the other end onto the bolt and loosen it. Watch the fluid come out and when it comes out free of air bubbles, that caliper is bled.

While this is going on make sure your master cylinder never runs out of fluid. And make sure the tubing is always under the brake fluid in the jar so never introduce air into the caliper.

Rinse and repeat
how do you know if the master cylinder is running out of fluid? Just make sure the brake resevoir doesn't go empty, right?
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May 12, 2005 | 08:40 AM
  #19  
Quote: how do you know if the master cylinder is running out of fluid? Just make sure the brake resevoir doesn't go empty, right?
Yes.
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May 12, 2005 | 11:54 AM
  #20  
http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBr...3d801f5944.jsp
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May 12, 2005 | 12:03 PM
  #21  
hmm so it's different for cars with ABS
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May 12, 2005 | 12:06 PM
  #22  
Nissan's directions:
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