How To: Bleed Brakes - Gravity Fed

Follow me on Facebook! / truckstuff.trey
Perform any and all work at your own risk.
*******
I will show you how to bleed your brakes the slow way.
#TruckStuff #SuperDutyHowTo

[@robertclymer6948]

The best method I have ever used working by my self. It don't take all that long and I don't risk running the master cylinder dry nearly as much. Next time, I will gravity bleed two wheels at the same time.

[@panthermike]

Helpful video, thanks. I created my own method though; which is to do a one person brake bleed with a bottle and then did a "mini-gravity" bleed afterwards. Mainly did the gravity bleed to get any excess air out and it did improve brake feel, as many have noted gravity bleeding to affect.

[@williamcrazylacyfurmage9953]

Cool video, Love the bird sounds in the back ground :)

[@drtt1gg3r1]

The order isn't technically specific. He only states the order "hub farthest from master cylinder 1st" method so as to get the one hub ( if you are doing it one at a time) that would have the most fluid. You can do all 4 tires at once if you so chose or any hub in any order for that matter. However, and I must stress this, brake fluid level in the fill reservoir should never go below 'minimum' level or air may be introduced back into the system.

[@charleshines6155]

My Volkswagen has a strainer also. They are removable with a screw driver, needle nose pliers and some patience. They just fit in fairly snug but they are not permanent parts. That is good to know if you want to clean that strainer out or if something fell in there and you want to get it back out. I just make sure that any tool I use does not have any oil of any sort on it, that will ruin your seals. I no longer have any DOT 3 brake fluid because so many newer cars use DOT 4. It is a little bit more expensive but it is worth it and should not cause a problem if it mixes with some DOT 3. I find that pruning shears if sharp are good for cutting this tubing. The dollar store stocks them in the summer months and they work well.

[@Idahomie]

a tip for bleeding post air in the brake lines...dont unscrew the bleeder nipple too far out. It will suck air around the loose threads and bubbles will appear in the tubing long past when the car's brake line is clear. It is careful balance between opening it far enough to hasten the project and or decieving oneself that air is still in the line.gt , boise

[@chazadad7567]

excellent tip for all us DIY backyard mechanics... Chaz/ Merrick NY

[@AgTires4295]

Used your method. Thanks!

[@pnmbmw]

Good video. How long does it take to do one corner (wheel)? Thanks

[@Tekneeq1]

Hey, just wanted to say thanks! I didn't need to pump the brakes even once. a Good tip.. don't be cheap like me and go buy a clear hose for $2.50! I tried to make mine out of straws and baby tube plastic straw from sippy cups HAHA... and wasn't getting the results I wanted.

[@jamesfreas3048]

if you put a little axle grease around the bleeder it will stop air from getting in. i wouldnt do more than one at a time, you might suck air in from one of the other bleeders.

[@ericmesser1]

thanks big help

[@jonathanspak8495]

How much fluid did u go throw i half way done used about 350ml

[@maryproveaux9200]

Hey Trey, Thank you sooo much for showing me this. I'm about to bleed the brakes on my old Dodge. Do you know, if changing all the fluid like you're showing, if that bleeds the master cylinder? Or is bleeding the master cylinder a whole different monkey?

[@buryurfear14]

How do you like that ridge runner? They are bogo $14.99. Just curious. Good video

[@pedross53]

this method result for a car with abs and esp

[@blurry599]

I got two questions for ya. First, I saw you used a bottle at the end of the line without a top on it. I have seen many other videos and their bottles have tops on it, so basically they drilled a hole on the stop and snugg in for the clear hose. Is it cruicial to have a top on the plastic bottle or not? Also with the very first tire you did there was not any liquid in the bottle. It was empty, are'nt you suppose to have some liquid in there so no air can get in the the line? I know everyone does it different but I want to understand why you did not do those steps since I have seen others mention they are important.

[@eddd6827]

You use brake fluid to stop geting back in system only if u are pressing the pedal, if u use gravity bleed u dont need fluid in container. Only if u press pedal wich makes it 100x times faster.

[@blurry599]

Thankyou

[@eddd6827]

No worries

[@Dreama40]

Yep Edgars correct...

[@USCG.Brennan]

Wouldn't it be smart to siphon out the old fluid out of the reservoir first before you pour the new fluid in???

[@peepiepo]

0:20

[@thesbian21]

Curt Brennan yeah he did that shit wrong asf

[@bahhaziz]

Using gravity method allows you to bleed all 4 at same time

[@rajkumarr930]

Yes, that's fast, just monitor brake fluid reservoir. ☑

[@pollodormido2]

Mine has a screen too but it is removable! Mitsubishi Mirage 2014!

[@charleshines6155]

They are usually removable but it is a snug fit. Make sure not to tear it up if you try to remove it. Bits of plastic in the system will cause problems. Sometimes needle nose pliers will get it out. Just keep some water near in case fluid gets on the paint somehow. That might be if the filter does not come out nicely and sends you falling on your backside when it comes out while you pull.

[@tiehut]

never use a knife toward your hand.

[@sloebone7399]

Emergency rooms are fun!

[@BoushoC]

Never stick your dirty ass glove fingers into your brake reservoir.

[@Lucas-jy7cv]

Sissy

[@johnyon123]

how long does the whole process take approx?

[@robertclymer6948]

Yesterday on my 67 Mustang, It took me a couple of hours and the brakes are great and no mushy pedal. I only did one wheel at a time though. The fronts are the fastest as the lines from Master are so short and goes much quicker. Using that mityVac gismo put more air into wheel cylinders as the air was sucked in throught the bottom of the bleeder valve. Grease did not help. Gravity is the way to go by yourself. Gets all the air out period.

[@DreaminDiesel]

Hey Trey thanks for the video. All of your videos are great and very helpful. So I had a few questions for you. What is the difference between the gravity fed method and brake pedal method? I'm assuming just being able to pump the brakes with the help of a second person, and I'm guessing its a lot faster. Also you said you need six bottles. I ended up getting 4 32fl oz bottles from walmart because they were cheaper. I decided to wait a day, and had my Mom check for me. She found one so I got another bottle on my way home. Well she only got a 12fl oz bottlel. Can't blame her she tried, lol. So I have 5 32fl oz bottles and on 12. Do you think I will have enough or will I need more.

[@DreaminDiesel]

***** Thanks Trey. I did this yesterday with a buddy. I had him pump the brakes and I watched the fluid color and we both watched the level in the master cylinder. It got a little low once, but I don't think it was too low. Anything wrong with doing it like we did and pumping the brakes? Anything different I'd have to do, since I didn't do the gravity method?

[@DreaminDiesel]

***** Ok thanks Trey. I'll be careful the first time I drive it. I've been doing a whole bunch of other stuff to my truck at the same time, and I still haven't gotten it back together yet, LOL.

[@sultanheart]

@TreySpooner hahaha nice reply

[@dishman5161]

This works great if you don’t have air in your lines to start. There is no force to push the air out

[@pingpong9656]

Does this method ensure no air gets back into the cylinder? I always thought you needed pressure to keep air out... interesting!

[@TruckStuff1]

Yes sir won't get into the system as long as it's fighting gravity.

[@n.g.1577]

How do you explain this? My Honda Sport Fit 2013 model, with ABS system on passenger side, repair manual states to start the bleeding with the front as follows: FL, FR, RL, RR. Every single review/blog/instructions out there always state to start in the rear. Which one is it, really?

[@clintdavis8200]

It all depends where the brake module is. Probably 75 % are going to start in the rear.

[@dntlss]

Depends on the car manufacturer, always follow what they tell you about your particular vehicle,back in the day before ABS and all modern things it was always RL,RR,FL,FR, that has changed in the last couple of decades.

[@geterdone]

Gravity fed method is a great starting point. If you have a RABS system in the early 90s to late 80s Ford trucks the following video could be of great help as well. How to bleed Ford RABS Brakes kzbin.info/www/bejne/hpPQgoaOhJ6LfqM Electronically

[@georgeland9862011]

Gravity bleed may not work if you have a clog in the line im guessing especially if you have not flushed it in 5 years like some people i know.

[@dntlss]

"like some people i know" you mean 95% of car owners?

[@pedross53]

this method not absorbs air

[@thakiid1013]

never trust the gravity bleed...diesel pwrrrrr

[@LucianoAlfano8]

2:19 bruh

[@dntlss]

Don't do it! thats how nightmares always begin "i was just doing a fluid change when....."

[@TruckStuff1]

Suddenly it was a full weekend rear end replacement...

[@RulgertGhostalker]

gravity NOT recommended by me ..... the easiest way to Adequately bleed brakes is The Re-circulatory Method: 1) get a length on clear vinyl tubing that will reach from the rear right bleeder valve, through the cabin, and into the top of the master cylinder reservoir. 2 ) open the bleeder valve, sit down and pump watching the bubbles go by until they stop, ( but keep the reservoir topped off until you reach re-circulation ) ( the bubbles float up out of the master cylinder reservoir, while the master cylinder pulls down air free fluid ).........3 ) close bleeder, and do the next one.

[@two8252]

I like this. Thanks for sharing your method. Of course you're not changing the brake fluid, but seems like it would very effective for getting air out.

[@RulgertGhostalker]

@@two8252 you can change the fluid by gravity...but as you pointed out, it is a consistent, and thorough, means of removing air from the system.

[@RulgertGhostalker]

@@two8252 I guess we both said things a little off, so sorry ... I do recommend gravity for changing the fluid, just not as a sole means of bleeding.

[@RulgertGhostalker]

@@two8252 recirculatory, only changes out the old fluid that's in the clear line in the end.....a very minimal amount of new fluid is introduced... some, but agreed, not technically a fluid change.

[@dntlss]

It depends on what kind of master cylinder you have,most master cylinders with a small opening and a plug in the middle for the low fluid sensor are just about impossible to do this to,the bigger the opening on the master cylinder the easier to do this, the old master cylinders with the big swimming pool opening are perfect for this,if you try to do it with a master like the one i mentioned you almost need a person just adding fluid constantly,lol.

[@StrawberryGates]

Sloppy job. Rule #1 should be to clean off master cylinder cap before opening to avoid getting dust in there.

[@mordantly]

Stop mummbling