Best approach to bleeding the brakes

[tkb289]

I have used the same method as Dugly with good results.

For the collection of the old fluid, I use a clean plastic bottle that I tape to a piece of wood, then tape the clear hose to the bottle. This reduces the chance of the bottle being tipped over or the hose coming out, splattering brake fluid all over.

Be sure to keep an eye on the reservoir, if it runs dry you have to start over. Keep the lid on the brake fluid bottle after filling the reservoir, again it's easy to knock it over (and what a mess).

A good box end wrench is very helpful for opening and closing the bleed nipple, and don't forget the dust covers. Seems like getting things setup takes longer than the actual job.

[Jaydee]

Reminds me of a incident in the workshop. We had a pressure bleeder that screwed on top of the master cylinder. The hose burst and sprayed 3 brand new Volvos with brake fluid. All had to be resprayed.
Do you have to bleed the master if you use a vacuum bleeder? I've never used one, and it can be a pain to get the master to bleed from scratch when fitted to the vehicle without making a mess.
JD

[DanEC]

Sounds like the consensus is leaning a little more towards pressure bleeding. I have the Phoenix V-90 unit already. I've been wanting to get the Motive Pressure bleeder for my old cars but I don't think it would work on the girling fluid cans. I've had problems with vacuum bleeding and air leakin back around the bleeder screws too. I may start out gravity bleeding and then finish up with the Phoenix unit.

The plastic tube from the bleeder all the way back to the master fluid can is unique. Kind of like a large scale bench bleeder for master cylinders.

On pedal bleeding I'm curious - with the dual master cylinder set up, once the rear brakes are bleed and have a firm pedal, does that interfer with stroking the pedal to bleed the front circuit?

Thanks for all the input.

[patrickt]

Dan, I have tried every method suggested here, doing one-man bleeds since I was 16 years old, and I will tell you that, on the Cobra, nothing beats the plastic tube. It's a cinch and you can do it without any assistance and without spilling a drop.