Reverse Brake Bleeding - Your Thoughts?? - See Link

My neighbor (My Mechanic Mentor) sent this to me since I am about to Bleed my system after rebuilding the calipers.

http://www.moccsplace.com/images/brakes ... leeder.htm

Thoughts and Comments??

Stephen

 

There's an article on the XJCD that does pretty much outlines the same thing, except instead of a hanging bottle and gravity, it was suggested to use an oil can with a flexible spout and a short length of tubing to go to the bleeder valve.

Me, I'm happy with the MityVac vacuum bleeder.

 

The only real problem with doing it that way is how do you remove the excess fluid at the M/C without making a huge mess?

Plus, one of the things I learned VERY early in life is to make gravity your friend. Fighting it is generally counterproductive.

Using the Mity-Vac, we're performing basically the same thing (forcing the fluid through the system) but with the aid of our buddy, gravity, and the expelled fluid has someplace to go.

I get the best results with a combination of the Mity-Vac followed up with old-school hand bleeding.

 

I have to agree with Bigfitz. Been mechanicing since 1966 and tried every possible method. A pressure ball work well if you have one but then you need the correct adapter to fit the master cylinder. I use a vacuum system followed by conventional hand just to get the last of the air and make sure I have good pedal/lever height.

 

Reverse bleeding is difficult and sloppy. They had us do it in school just to demonstrate that it should be avoided.

A vacuum bleeder is much easier to work with and you have the advantage that when done all the excess fluid is in a container ready for disposal.

 

After putting teflon on the bleeder screws (100% nessesary), conecting a syringe up to the bleeder, and pulling the fluid down from the master, takes less than 5 minutes. Just keep filling up the master to avoid air getting in the holes again (cause the syringe pulls it quickly). After doing this method I'll never use another (in my garage). looks like less parts too. when the syringe fills up or the master is getting low, just dump the syringe back into the master. Can't imagine an easier, quicker, effective way.

 

Question regarding dual calipers with anti-dive (4 bleeders).

There is a part of me that thinks to bleed the caliper first then move down to the anti-dive. And yet............................

I understand that bleeding the anti-dive does not circulate the brake fluid through the caliper, just the dual banjo fitting.

 

I know that some re-use the fluid when bleeding brakes, personally I don't. I only use fresh fluid to ensure that there are no contaminants in the system. The fluid that has gone through the system may have picked up moisture, dirt, or may have air tiny bubbles in it. Brake fluid is not that expensive.

 

Nnoooo!!! Just pitch it; brake fluid is cheap. Fluid that's been drawn through the system is slightly contaminated already.

 

JF, very true, I usually dump the first few syringe fulls and only re-use it when it's crystal clear

 

Don't reuse brake flid, you are just putting the contaminants right back in your beaking system. I agree with the rest of you, reverse bleeding is very messy. It is much easier to bleed the normal way. Invest in a vacuum assist bleed device of your choice, they all work the same. I have one I made from a old lab vacuum pump, it has served me well for many years and can be used on any vehicle I have.

 

I feel like kind of an idiot................ And I will admit it!!!

I own a Mighty-Vac

Had it from the days of owning the Mercedes Diesel and forgot about it.

SHIBBY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Still looking for an answer as to which bleeders to do first - See Above.

Thank You

Stephen