How to bleed brakes

[Shorty429]

I need to bleed my brakes on my 1986 GT. I've never done it before, if someone could tell me i'd really appreciate it!

[blizzard]

get/borrow a vac pump. one person, five minutes... thank me later.

[Shorty429]

get/borrow a vac pump. one person, five minutes... thank me later.

Care to go into a little more detail. I'm a COMPLETE noob about this! lol

[sinful rides]

Get someone else to do it.You need an assistant to do with out a vaccum pump.
1 get a wrench that fits the bleeder
2 Pump your brake pedal a few times
3 Hold the brake pedal down while someone opens the bleeder
4 Keep pressing the pedal it should go completly to the floor. Then tighten the bleeder. MAKE SURE to keep pedal pressed down till the bleeder is tightened. If not you'll get even more air in the line.
5 Redo steps 2-4 until a steady stream of fluid comes out
Check your fluid level every so often so it won't get air in the lines again.
Do the right rear first, then driver rear, right front, then driver front.

[blizzard]

oh lol sorry.

old way - someone pumps the pedal and holds while you open the screw (all 4 of them starting from farthest away) allowing the pressure to force fluid through the system in hopes that you evacuate any air in the lines... not hard by any means once you get the rhythm down tho you've GOT TO be sure to not empty the master cylinder reservoir or you'll be bench bleeding again.

new way - attach the vac pump to the caliper, and let it do the work. different systems use different methods, i've seen em pneumatic, electric, bicycle pump stylz... some have an attachment like a big upside down 2 liter pop bottle to ensure you don't run dry but don't think i've seen one that works on those older dual reservoir snap cap types so you'll still need to ensure you have sufficient fluid.

so much easier. and cleaner, really brake fluid will F up anything it touches.

[blizzard]

Get someone else to do it.Y

that works too

[Martin0660]

You guys missed some key steps.....

What about the run to the parts store to get a new wheel cylinder when the bleeder snaps off instead of opening? Don't forget the next run for brake line because you messed it up changing the wheel cylinder.

Man I hate bleeding brakes ;)

[blizzard]

you are SO correct sir. :lmao: i think i actually have a couple cylinders brand new sittin on the shelf if he needs them :P

[Shorty429]

Well i got it figured out. And bob, i think you jinxed me because i had to make 2 trips to the store, one for a brake bleeder tube and the other for a flex line because it broke.

Thanks for the tips guys! It's awesome to have a site like this where i can ask these dumb Noob questions and get quick replies. It's tough being new with all this, but SCS is really helping me learn!

[Martin0660]

Sorry, didn't mean to jinx you, but knew that was usually the reality of it. Been there, done it ;) It's amazing how brake systems are okay right until you touch them :D

[92306gt]

i dont even attempt to use the bleeder. i go straight to the brake line...leason learned

[Shorty429]

Sorry, didn't mean to jinx you, but knew that was usually the reality of it. Been there, done it ;) It's amazing how brake systems are okay right until you touch them :D

yeh. But the other day BOTH the studs on the right front caliper vaporized and i lost 90% of my brakes. about 600ft, 1 blown stop sign at an intersection full of cars, and some quick reflexes i was able to come to a safe stop. It could have ended terrible, so i figured i'd do everything in my power so it doesn't happen again.