DocBeech
01-17-2011, 07:38 PM
I have been asked so I am going to make this DIY for you guys. There are two ways to do this, I will outline each. The first will be a one man process, the second will be a two man process. You do not need any special tools or crazy devices so save your money. Never use DOT 5 fluid in an ABS system. If you are not completely comfortable don't try this.
Read all steps before attempting
Rear Caliper Ready To Bleed:http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s155/docbeech/RX8%20Stainless%20Steel%20Brake%20Lines/DSC_0047.jpg
Front Caliper Ready To Bleed:http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s155/docbeech/RX8%20Stainless%20Steel%20Brake%20Lines/DSC_0071.jpg
One man system
Step one is gather your tools:
8mm bleeding wrench, and a 10mm line wrench will work perfectly as seen in this photo:http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s155/docbeech/RX8%20Stainless%20Clutch%20Line/DSC_0025.jpg
3/16th vacuum or fuel line,1ft in length, as seen here:http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s155/docbeech/RX8%20Stainless%20Steel%20Brake%20Lines/DSC_0036.jpg
A plastic cup of any kind.
You may also use an 8mm/10mm double ended bleeding wrench.
Step Two:
Starting from the Right Rear you will be going in this order: Right Rear, Left Rear, Right Front, Left Front.
Step Three:
Fill the master cylinder reservoir. Leave the cap off and then goto the caliper you are bleeding. Place the wrench on first, then the 3/16th line. Place the cup under the drain hose.
Step Four:
This will be done 4 times. You will open the bleeder valve and wait for the fluid to start draining. It will drip for a while. Watch the color of the fluid going into the cup. Once you start to get crystal clear fluid then shut the valve.
Step Five:
Clean up the caliper you just finished bleeding. Use a paper towel around the rubber hose before pulling it off. Holding the paper towel over the bleeder valve to prevent brake fluid from touching anything remove the rubber hose and clean up the job you just did.
Step Six:
Re-fill the master cylinder and return to step 3. Repeat this 3 more times until all four brakes have been bled.
This process takes a lot of time. So you must be patient. It does work though I did it on my own vehicles, and vehicles in the shop for years.
Two Man Process
Step one is gather your tools:
8mm bleeding wrench, and a 10mm line wrench will work perfectly as seen in this photo:http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s155/docbeech/RX8%20Stainless%20Clutch%20Line/DSC_0025.jpg
3/16th vacuum or fuel line,1ft in length, as seen here:http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s155/docbeech/RX8%20Stainless%20Steel%20Brake%20Lines/DSC_0036.jpg
A plastic cup of any kind.
You may also use an 8mm/10mm double ended bleeding wrench.
Step Two:
Remove the bleeder valve cover and place it in a safe spot. One person should be inside the car and one at the caliper being bled.
Step Three:
After filling the master cylinder and leaving the cap off, start from the Right Rear moving in this direction(Right Rear, Left Rear, Right Front, Left Front).
Step Four:
Place the wrench (10mm Rear, 8mm Front) on the bleeder valve, then the 3/16th rubber hose on the bleeder valve.
Step Five:
Have the person inside the car press on the brake pedal.
Step Six:
Once they are putting pressure on the brake pedal very gently open the bleeder valve. Not much, a tiny bit should get the air flowing.
Read the next step first. Its very important NOT to lift up on the pedal when the bleeder valve is open. This will suck air into the system.
Step Seven:
The person at the brake caliper will know when the air/fluid stops moving. Once it stops moving he should close the bleeder valve, and then tell the person to get another bite.
Step Eight:
Repeat this until no more air, and no more dirty fluid is seen. Once its crisp clean fluid you are ready to clean up. To clean up you place a paper towel over the the bleeder valve before pulling the rubber hose off. Once the hose and wrench are off clean up the caliper. Make sure no brake fluid touches anything especially paint!
Make sure to monitor the master cylinder. Never allow it drop below half. This should especially be done after you have bled a caliper.
Step Nine:
Move to the next caliper in line and repeat this until all four are done.
The final step is to check for leaks. Go back around and make sure nothing is leaking and all the bleeder valves were closed properly. Then drive the vehicle make sure its all working great, park it and check for fluid leaks again. You will see a stain if any leaks are present.
Read all steps before attempting
Rear Caliper Ready To Bleed:http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s155/docbeech/RX8%20Stainless%20Steel%20Brake%20Lines/DSC_0047.jpg
Front Caliper Ready To Bleed:http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s155/docbeech/RX8%20Stainless%20Steel%20Brake%20Lines/DSC_0071.jpg
One man system
Step one is gather your tools:
8mm bleeding wrench, and a 10mm line wrench will work perfectly as seen in this photo:http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s155/docbeech/RX8%20Stainless%20Clutch%20Line/DSC_0025.jpg
3/16th vacuum or fuel line,1ft in length, as seen here:http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s155/docbeech/RX8%20Stainless%20Steel%20Brake%20Lines/DSC_0036.jpg
A plastic cup of any kind.
You may also use an 8mm/10mm double ended bleeding wrench.
Step Two:
Starting from the Right Rear you will be going in this order: Right Rear, Left Rear, Right Front, Left Front.
Step Three:
Fill the master cylinder reservoir. Leave the cap off and then goto the caliper you are bleeding. Place the wrench on first, then the 3/16th line. Place the cup under the drain hose.
Step Four:
This will be done 4 times. You will open the bleeder valve and wait for the fluid to start draining. It will drip for a while. Watch the color of the fluid going into the cup. Once you start to get crystal clear fluid then shut the valve.
Step Five:
Clean up the caliper you just finished bleeding. Use a paper towel around the rubber hose before pulling it off. Holding the paper towel over the bleeder valve to prevent brake fluid from touching anything remove the rubber hose and clean up the job you just did.
Step Six:
Re-fill the master cylinder and return to step 3. Repeat this 3 more times until all four brakes have been bled.
This process takes a lot of time. So you must be patient. It does work though I did it on my own vehicles, and vehicles in the shop for years.
Two Man Process
Step one is gather your tools:
8mm bleeding wrench, and a 10mm line wrench will work perfectly as seen in this photo:http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s155/docbeech/RX8%20Stainless%20Clutch%20Line/DSC_0025.jpg
3/16th vacuum or fuel line,1ft in length, as seen here:http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s155/docbeech/RX8%20Stainless%20Steel%20Brake%20Lines/DSC_0036.jpg
A plastic cup of any kind.
You may also use an 8mm/10mm double ended bleeding wrench.
Step Two:
Remove the bleeder valve cover and place it in a safe spot. One person should be inside the car and one at the caliper being bled.
Step Three:
After filling the master cylinder and leaving the cap off, start from the Right Rear moving in this direction(Right Rear, Left Rear, Right Front, Left Front).
Step Four:
Place the wrench (10mm Rear, 8mm Front) on the bleeder valve, then the 3/16th rubber hose on the bleeder valve.
Step Five:
Have the person inside the car press on the brake pedal.
Step Six:
Once they are putting pressure on the brake pedal very gently open the bleeder valve. Not much, a tiny bit should get the air flowing.
Read the next step first. Its very important NOT to lift up on the pedal when the bleeder valve is open. This will suck air into the system.
Step Seven:
The person at the brake caliper will know when the air/fluid stops moving. Once it stops moving he should close the bleeder valve, and then tell the person to get another bite.
Step Eight:
Repeat this until no more air, and no more dirty fluid is seen. Once its crisp clean fluid you are ready to clean up. To clean up you place a paper towel over the the bleeder valve before pulling the rubber hose off. Once the hose and wrench are off clean up the caliper. Make sure no brake fluid touches anything especially paint!
Make sure to monitor the master cylinder. Never allow it drop below half. This should especially be done after you have bled a caliper.
Step Nine:
Move to the next caliper in line and repeat this until all four are done.
The final step is to check for leaks. Go back around and make sure nothing is leaking and all the bleeder valves were closed properly. Then drive the vehicle make sure its all working great, park it and check for fluid leaks again. You will see a stain if any leaks are present.