BRAKE SYSTEM BLEEDING SEQUENCE

[Rob A.]

I am bleeding a complete new brake system. I have already bench bled the master cylinder. Service manual says to start with wheel furthest away and work in, directions with the vacuum bleeder I have says the opposite, start with the closest wheel. Which is correct?(or easiest)

[Harry Sadlock]

Re: BRAKE SYSTEM BLEEDING SEQUENCE

Furthest away. - Right rear, left rear, right front then left front.

Have fun and wear rubber gloves.

Harry

[Jim K.]

Re: BRAKE SYSTEM BLEEDING SEQUENCE

It does not matter were you start or were you end up as long as you bleed them all. JIm

[Duke W.]

Re: BRAKE SYSTEM BLEEDING SEQUENCE

I've done it every which way, and it doesn't really matter, however, consider that the quickest way out for the dirty fluid between the m/c and the junction block is through the left front.

Same applies to the front of a dual circuit system, but the rear ciruit will have to push the fluid all the way through to one of the rears.

Duke

[Doug C.]

Re: BRAKE SYSTEM BLEEDING SEQUENCE

Rob, I have bled brakes on many vehicles including my 66 small block coupe and I find the most successful way to be a gravity bleed method. I've used a vacuum bleeder with poor results in the past, the rear calipers can be a real problem. The best method is to gravity bleed which involves opening the bleed screws and connecting clear tubing to each screw and let the fluid drain into a catch jar of some sort.
If you have a dual master you can do the front wheels and back wheels separately. Rmember that the rear calipers have two top bleeders per side.Remember to leave the master cylinder cap off when doing this.
This can take hours not minutes sometimes but is very effective at removing all the air. Do not let the M/C run dry during this process. A vacuum bleeder pump can be useful to initiate the drain process.
Some on this site have given positive feedback on pressure bleeders,I have purchased one but my car is in storage until spring now and I haven't tried it yet. You can find them at www.motiveproducts.com

[Rob A.]

Re: BRAKE SYSTEM BLEEDING SEQUENCE

Doug,

My entire brake system, calipers, lines and master cylinder are new. Will gravity bleeding work under these circumstances?

[Terry M.]

Re: BRAKE SYSTEM BLEEDING SEQUENCE

Doug,
Gravity bleeding will work on a completely new system once fluid is introduced into the lines either by pressure form the master cylinder end or suction (vacuum) from the caliper end. While we call it a gravity bleed, it would be more accurate to describe the action as a syphon bleed.

[Doug C.]

Re: BRAKE SYSTEM BLEEDING SEQUENCE

Rob, To be truthful I have never done a completely new system with all the lines empty but I don't see why it would not work. Again you may want to use the vacuum bleeder to initiate flow and just make sure the master cylinder doesn't run dry.

[Rob A.]

Re: BRAKE SYSTEM BLEEDING SEQUENCE

Doug,

Can I gravity bleed both bleeders at once on the rear calipers?

[Doug C.]

Re: BRAKE SYSTEM BLEEDING SEQUENCE

You bet, both bleeders on each caliper and both calipers at the same time. Just check to make sure you are getting flow at each bleeder. Sometimes you have to close one to get the one on the other side started.

[Craig S.]

Re: BRAKE SYSTEM BLEEDING SEQUENCE

Rob - another great tool for bleeding, but not cheap......Craig




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