Brake bleeding tip
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Joined: Jul 2001
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Brake bleeding tip
I just rebuilt the complete brake system on my '86-4KQ and had some trouble bleeding the brakes. I have a small hand pump vacuum bleeder that works pretty good, but my hand was ready to fall off after bleeding for a while.
I then had my daughter do the pump and bleed routine for a while but air was still coming out. Her leg was also getting tired, so we quit working on it. Last night I rigged up a 1-lb. coffee can with 24" of clear (vinyl?) hose to make a "super duper" vacuum bleeder.
I drilled 2 holes in the lid, one for the hose (tight fit)that goes to the bleeder on the caliper and one that I put my small vacuum cleaner on. The trick to making it work was taking out the bleeder fitting and putting some grease on the thread so that air will not be drawn in. Be careful not to get the grease too low or it can contaminate the brake fulid.
To use it is very simple: After greasing the threads of the bleeder and re-installing it, slip the clear hose over the bleeder and run the hose UP about 6 inches above the caliper/bleeder. This lets you see the fluid column and observe the air coming out. Start up the vacuum cleaner, put the hose over the other hole and open the bleeder screw. You will see the fluid and air come up the hose! Be careful not to drain the reservoir and always use new fluid when replenishing.
The clear hose allows you to see how much air is coming out. If you are flushing you brake system this also lets you see when clean fuid begins coming thru.
After this bleeding the brake pedal is high and firm.
Good luck,
Jon
I then had my daughter do the pump and bleed routine for a while but air was still coming out. Her leg was also getting tired, so we quit working on it. Last night I rigged up a 1-lb. coffee can with 24" of clear (vinyl?) hose to make a "super duper" vacuum bleeder.
I drilled 2 holes in the lid, one for the hose (tight fit)that goes to the bleeder on the caliper and one that I put my small vacuum cleaner on. The trick to making it work was taking out the bleeder fitting and putting some grease on the thread so that air will not be drawn in. Be careful not to get the grease too low or it can contaminate the brake fulid.
To use it is very simple: After greasing the threads of the bleeder and re-installing it, slip the clear hose over the bleeder and run the hose UP about 6 inches above the caliper/bleeder. This lets you see the fluid column and observe the air coming out. Start up the vacuum cleaner, put the hose over the other hole and open the bleeder screw. You will see the fluid and air come up the hose! Be careful not to drain the reservoir and always use new fluid when replenishing.
The clear hose allows you to see how much air is coming out. If you are flushing you brake system this also lets you see when clean fuid begins coming thru.
After this bleeding the brake pedal is high and firm.
Good luck,
Jon
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Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 36
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Re: Enough!
hello,Im sorry about my terrible spelling(swedish),but could not keep my mouth shut.When i bleed my brakes I use a hose from the brake fluid resorvoar to one of the front wheels.U probebly all knew this thing ,maybe I missunderstod the hole thing..`.? However,I think this is a very simpel method
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Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 335
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Re: Enough!
Your english is much better than my Swedish will ever be!!
Are you saying that you run a hose from the bleeder BACK to the reservoir so that you can recycle the fluid??
In my opinion this would be a bad thing to do. You should never re-use brake fluid.
Jon
Are you saying that you run a hose from the bleeder BACK to the reservoir so that you can recycle the fluid??
In my opinion this would be a bad thing to do. You should never re-use brake fluid.
Jon
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