Easy low cost brake bleeding

kiwi60

kiwi60

Active Member
I've just finished a total rebuild of the rear brake caliper following a clean, paint and rebuild.

Now, brake bleeding is not one of my favourite jobs, but I figured out a low cost way to take the pain out of it.

Over the years I've invested in a Sykes Pickavant brake bleeder, which has never really worked right, or used the monotonous pump / open bleed nipple / close brake nipple / pump etc etc etc
However I discovered an extremely quick, effective way to bleed the brakes, and guarantee that there are no air bubbles in the lines.

First, get a new bottle of brake fluid (I always use Motul 5.1), and - here's the important part - a 1200mm long length of clear tubing that is a nice snug fit over the bleed nipple.

Right then, take the top off the brake reservoir, open your nice new bottle of brake fluid and fit one end of the tube over the nipple. Next, thread the remaining tube up to the reservoir.
Start bleeding the brakes in the normal way - a few strokes on the lever then a slow stroke as you crack the nipple open a bit to let the air through. After there's about 150mm of brake fluid in the tube, I didn't have to keep opening and closing the nipple any more.
Carry this on until the brake fluid is almost to the top of the clear tube (being careful not to let the resovoir pump dry), and then a few more pumps of the lever to get the fluid to the end of the hose and then put the end of the hose into the top of the open resovior.



What you now have is continuous bleeding as air cannot enter the tube because it is under the surface if the fluid level.
You can now open the bleed nipple and pump away for several minutes - you'll be surprised how long the air bubbles take to get all out.

The FZR has two bleed nipples on the rear caliper, so I hooked up a second hose to save any spilt brake fluid.



I just did this on the rear brake this afternoon and had them fully bled in a total of 7 minutes, usually I'm swearing at it for at least a hour or so.

Just one note of caution - make sure everything is completely clean - you don't want any dirt in there eh.

Cheers

P.S. It's every bit as quick on the front brakes ;)
 
Thats pretty clever. Ill probably do this too. My concerns would just be for contaminating the brake fluid if you're flushing out the old fluid and there's dirt in it. Could add a paper filter somewhere along the line as a precaution.
 
I put stainless, speed bleeders on. They have the built in check valve....Your method works to get air out, but I am usually bleeding to get old fluid and moisture out. Your method is not good for that.

Fresh system? - Your method is excellent

Old System: The old fluid has got to go....
 
You can do it similar with old fluid, just put the hose in a jar with old fluid and air can't go back and old fluid and dirt don't get back in the master. This is great though for a newly rebuilt clean system as wastes less brake fluid for sure.
 
Like Maritime said, if your changing the old fluid for new just put the hose into an old container to get rid of the old fluid, then pump out the bubbles fast and easy.

I've thought about using speed bleeders, but the Scotsman in me like the low dollar approach :)
 
Re: Re: Easy low cost brake bleeding

Maritime said:
You can do it similar with old fluid, just put the hose in a jar with old fluid and air can't go back and old fluid and dirt don't get back in the master. This is great though for a newly rebuilt clean system as wastes less brake fluid for sure.
Click to expand...


Yea this is what im doing currently. Just wastes a bit of fluid, especially as ive had a number of re-rebuilds lately. Been thinking of getting the speed bleeders from slingshot cycles.
 
On our racecars we had a spare lid for the master cylinder. We would mount an air chuck in the top of the lid. Hook an air source to it with about 2-5psi and crack the bleeder and it forces the fluid through the system,worked quickly.
 
They sell those covers for cars, there is a whole system for that too. That's how we bled brakes in the military way back when...
 
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