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Bleeding Brakes, without a helper #2778254
05/26/20 08:02 AM
05/26/20 08:02 AM
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,149
Cruising!
Q
QuickDodge Offline OP
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I have always bled brakes by having someone inside the car pushing the brake pedal. That method has worked great in the past. Unfortunately, finding a helper is becoming more difficult. So, how can a guy bleed brakes without having a helper? (I'm interested in repairing classic cars as well as newer vehicles, if that makes any difference.)

Re: Bleeding Brakes, without a helper [Re: QuickDodge] #2778255
05/26/20 08:05 AM
05/26/20 08:05 AM
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Posts: 6,089
Valencia, España
NachoRT74 Offline
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I just keep bleeders open and master cylinder lid off. This will bleed by gravity. Then close everything, give pedal, and repeat the operation. Never have had any problem with that.

Last edited by NachoRT74; 05/26/20 08:07 AM.

With a Charger born in Chrysler assembly plant in Valencia, Venezuela
Re: Bleeding Brakes, without a helper [Re: QuickDodge] #2778258
05/26/20 08:08 AM
05/26/20 08:08 AM
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W. Kentucky
justinp61 Offline
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I use a vacuum pump and a mason jar with two nipples in the lid. A hose goes from the bleeder to nipple one on the lid, a second hose goes from nipple two to the vacuum pump.

Re: Bleeding Brakes, without a helper [Re: NachoRT74] #2778259
05/26/20 08:14 AM
05/26/20 08:14 AM
Joined: Jul 2008
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Florida STAYcation
dIc dOc Deity ! Offline
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Originally Posted by NachoRT74
I just keep bleeders open and master cylinder lid off. This will bleed by gravity. Then close everything, give pedal, and repeat the operation. Never have had any problem with that.


GRAVITY huh ? ... I’m putting a complete brake system on the Carrotvan.... I’ll have to try that !

Re: Bleeding Brakes, without a helper [Re: dIc dOc Deity !] #2778269
05/26/20 08:49 AM
05/26/20 08:49 AM
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Ohio
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jlatessa Offline
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Nacho, do you leave all 4 bleeders open at the same time or alternate
starting with the passenger rear?

Thanks, Joe

Re: Bleeding Brakes, without a helper [Re: jlatessa] #2778272
05/26/20 08:59 AM
05/26/20 08:59 AM
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Florida STAYcation
dIc dOc Deity ! Offline
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One at a time I would think ... furtherest away first

Re: Bleeding Brakes, without a helper [Re: QuickDodge] #2778276
05/26/20 09:20 AM
05/26/20 09:20 AM
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Posts: 235
Central Mississippi
mopar97 Offline
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Several things that have worked for me.
Gravity bleed does work. Nut unless you want a mess to clean up later, slip a hose over the nipple and into a bottle.
Use a metal oil can to fill the lines with fluid from the bleeder end.
You can also use an old brake fluid bottle 1/2 full with a hose. Loosen the bleeder screw on the wheel in question, slide the hose over the nipple and insert into the fluid. Pump the brake pedal 10-12 times. This way you are pulling fluid from 1 end and pushing from the other. Do each wheel and then check your pedal. Make certain the bottle has fluid in it or you will be pulling air into the system.
In every case the master cylinder was hardest to bleed. If I can I will bench bleed it.


Mopar born, Mopar breed, when I die, call me Mopar dead!
Re: Bleeding Brakes, without a helper [Re: dIc dOc Deity !] #2778277
05/26/20 09:26 AM
05/26/20 09:26 AM
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 10,550
Rittman Ohio
fourgearsavoy Offline
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Originally Posted by Doc Fiberglass
Originally Posted by NachoRT74
I just keep bleeders open and master cylinder lid off. This will bleed by gravity. Then close everything, give pedal, and repeat the operation. Never have had any problem with that.


GRAVITY huh ? ... I’m putting a complete brake system on the Carrotvan.... I’ll have to try that !


It would take a week to gravity bleed a modern brake system if it has ABS. Gravity bleeding has it's place but if you really want a complete job you need to get a helper or vacuum bleeder . I use a Matco pressure bleeder to get all the all the air out twocents

Gus beer


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Re: Bleeding Brakes, without a helper [Re: fourgearsavoy] #2778279
05/26/20 09:41 AM
05/26/20 09:41 AM
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Posts: 235
Central Mississippi
mopar97 Offline
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Originally Posted by fourgearsavoy
Originally Posted by Doc Fiberglass
Originally Posted by NachoRT74
I just keep bleeders open and master cylinder lid off. This will bleed by gravity. Then close everything, give pedal, and repeat the operation. Never have had any problem with that.


GRAVITY huh ? ... I’m putting a complete brake system on the Carrotvan.... I’ll have to try that !


It would take a week to gravity bleed a modern brake system if it has ABS. Gravity bleeding has it's place but if you really want a complete job you need to get a helper or vacuum bleeder . I use a Matco pressure bleeder to get all the all the air out twocents

Gus beer


This is great advise!
ABS systems can be a nightmare......better read a service manual. I have seen all types of bleed sequences.


Mopar born, Mopar breed, when I die, call me Mopar dead!
Re: Bleeding Brakes, without a helper [Re: jlatessa] #2778295
05/26/20 11:07 AM
05/26/20 11:07 AM
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 6,089
Valencia, España
NachoRT74 Offline
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Originally Posted by jlatessa
Nacho, do you leave all 4 bleeders open at the same time or alternate
starting with the passenger rear?

Thanks, Joe


I have made rears first then fronts in that way I can monitor them at the same time and close one bleder then the other. Aside that making both sides at the same time front and rear circuit, which are separated between them but not side to side will fill faster.

Last edited by NachoRT74; 05/26/20 11:08 AM.

With a Charger born in Chrysler assembly plant in Valencia, Venezuela
Re: Bleeding Brakes, without a helper [Re: mopar97] #2778297
05/26/20 11:16 AM
05/26/20 11:16 AM
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Posts: 6,089
Valencia, España
NachoRT74 Offline
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Originally Posted by mopar97
Several things that have worked for me.
Gravity bleed does work. Nut unless you want a mess to clean up later, slip a hose over the nipple and into a bottle.


true... although I never have got problems cleanning all around... it doesn't drips a lot really if you make rears first then fronts and monitoring


Originally Posted by mopar97

You can also use an old brake fluid bottle 1/2 full with a hose. Loosen the bleeder screw on the wheel in question, slide the hose over the nipple and insert into the fluid. Pump the brake pedal 10-12 times. This way you are pulling fluid from 1 end and pushing from the other. Do each wheel and then check your pedal. Make certain the bottle has fluid in it or you will be pulling air into the system.
In every case the master cylinder was hardest to bleed. If I can I will bench bleed it.


true... thats another way to do it... when you release the pedal on every pump at pedal will suck brake fluid from whatever is easier to the cylinders/calipers... bottle or master cylinder. However you still have to pump on every wheel. I just save from that making gravity. At the end is a bit faster and less effort.

there is allways a chance to get some small bubbles at some corner along the circuit. That happens even pumping the pedal. Riding around every hidden bubble will move out up to master cylinder.

I have made this even with master cylinder fully empty!!! not even bleeding the master cylinder itself first

as mentioned. Make a firts gravity bleed, then give pedal 5 or 10 times, and make it again. Give pedal again and you should be done in all 4 corners.

Of course remember to put the MC lid before pump the pedal or will spit out the brake fluid around engine bay/fender.

Last edited by NachoRT74; 05/26/20 11:24 AM.

With a Charger born in Chrysler assembly plant in Valencia, Venezuela
Re: Bleeding Brakes, without a helper [Re: NachoRT74] #2778298
05/26/20 11:17 AM
05/26/20 11:17 AM
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Lincoln Nebraska
RapidRobert Offline
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On a side note with a helper put a block of wood under the pedal so the cups dont go past their normal wear area & it helps him control the pedal stroke better & as said check/bleed the MC first


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Re: Bleeding Brakes, without a helper [Re: RapidRobert] #2778315
05/26/20 12:05 PM
05/26/20 12:05 PM
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 19,239
north of coder
moparx Offline
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my method is both gravity bleed, then press [not PUMP] pedal with a hose attached to the bleeder and immersed into a bottle of fluid.
using the wood block zip-tied on the pedal as RR suggested.
the reason i PRESS instead of PUMP is that i have found pumping a bunch has a tendency to aerate the fluid.

i have also used the one way valve a guy can get at most parts stores immersed in a jar of fluid with the hose attached to the bleeder.
beer

Re: Bleeding Brakes, without a helper [Re: moparx] #2778368
05/26/20 02:39 PM
05/26/20 02:39 PM
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Rio Linda, CA
John_Kunkel Offline
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Immersing the end of the bleeder hose in fluid prevents air intrusion on the pedal upstroke. This makes it a one-man operation.

In recent years I have used speed bleeder fittings with a bag at the end of the hose, not as cheap as other methods but a lot less messy.


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Re: Bleeding Brakes, without a helper [Re: QuickDodge] #2778388
05/26/20 03:32 PM
05/26/20 03:32 PM
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Posts: 30,947
Oregon
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AndyF Offline
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Oregon
I always bleed brakes by myself. I prefer to work alone on some tasks so I can concentrate on what is going on rather than chatting. Here is the homemade setup that I use.

DSC_3963 (Large).JPG
Re: Bleeding Brakes, without a helper [Re: AndyF] #2778395
05/26/20 04:00 PM
05/26/20 04:00 PM
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 235
Central Mississippi
mopar97 Offline
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Originally Posted by AndyF
I always bleed brakes by myself. I prefer to work alone on some tasks so I can concentrate on what is going on rather than chatting. Here is the homemade setup that I use.

I like that. I actually bought a kit from an auto parts store. After looking at it a minute I realized I could have just stuck the hose in my brake fluid bottle.....
Allen


Mopar born, Mopar breed, when I die, call me Mopar dead!
Re: Bleeding Brakes, without a helper [Re: AndyF] #2778401
05/26/20 04:06 PM
05/26/20 04:06 PM
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 235
Central Mississippi
mopar97 Offline
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I bought this years ago, now I just stick the hose in the bottle.

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/...arracuda?q=brake+bleeder+tools&pos=3


Mopar born, Mopar breed, when I die, call me Mopar dead!
Re: Bleeding Brakes, without a helper [Re: mopar97] #2778412
05/26/20 04:40 PM
05/26/20 04:40 PM
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Oregon
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AndyF Offline
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Yes you can just stick the hose into a brake fluid bottle. I like using the glass jar since I can see the old fluid as it is pumped out. It is nice to watch for dirty fluid or air bubbles on some brake jobs.

Re: Bleeding Brakes, without a helper [Re: AndyF] #2778482
05/26/20 07:30 PM
05/26/20 07:30 PM
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 612
Nampa, ID
None2Slow Offline
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I use an old plastic water bottle. Don't like having glass jars around the garage because at some point, somebody will break it. Just an old Arrowhead water bottle that I poke a hole into the plastic cap. insert the hose and the other end goes onto the bleeder. Then I have a length of stainless wire wrapped around the top neck of the bottle so I can hang it out of the way, if needed.

Re: Bleeding Brakes, without a helper [Re: mopar97] #2778484
05/26/20 07:36 PM
05/26/20 07:36 PM
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Florida
BDW Offline
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Do you need to submerge the drain hose in fluid for the gravity method?

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