How to BLEED your BRAKES by YOURSELF || FREE DIY Brake Fluid Flush/Bleed || Homemade Brake Bleeder

G'day Guys and Gals!
Here's a link to a few bits and pieces to make the job easier!
Penrite Super Dot 4 Brake Fluid - amzn.to/3dcdHf3
Flare nut wrench Pipe Spanners - amzn.to/3UaMkma
Brake Bleeding hose and One way valve - amzn.to/3U5w5qm
Measuring jug - amzn.to/3BG76mi
Mechanics Nitrile Gloves - amzn.to/3DtsD30
In todays video I show you exactly how to carry out a complete brake fluid system flush and bleed. I also show you how to make an easy DIY homemade vacuum suction bleeder. This can be made from some things that you have around the home.
There are a few steps involved in bleeding your brakes and flushing the braking system -
1. Determine what type of brake fluid the system requires -Dot 3 or Dot 4 etc.
2. Remove the master cylinder reservoir cap
3. Remove the reservoir filter
4. Remove all of the old fluid from the master cylinder reservoir
5. Top up brake fluid reservoir with fresh brake fluid
6. Begin the bleeding process from the Left hand rear wheel (passenger rear)
7. Move on to the Right hand rear wheel (Drivers Rear)
8. Move on to the Left hand Front wheel (Passenger Front)
9. Move on to the Right hand from (Drivers Front)
10. Keep the brake fluid reservoir full at all times
11. Double check all brake bleeding nipples are tight
12. Double check and adjust the brake fluid reservoir level
13. Refit filter and Cap to reservoir
14. Check brake pedal feel ( Should be Firm )
15. If not repeat the process again until pedal feels firm
16. Double check all your work and clean down vehicle with water
This is the basic step by step procedure for brake bleeding and flushing the hydraulic brake system.
In this video I also show you how to make your own homemade DIY vacuum brake bleeding tool. To make the bleeder you will require a spray bottle head and a small piece of clear tubing and also a straight barb joiner. You will also require a piece of rubber hose that fits over the brake caliper nipple. Once you join the hoses to the end of the spray bottle head you will be able to suck the fluid out of the master cylinder reservoir and also bleed all of the air out of the brakes.
This is a great way to bleed the brakes because you can bleed the brakes by yourself. You don't need any help when bleeding the brakes you can carry out a one man brake bleed. By using this DIY Home made vacuum brake bleeder you will find that you can easily suck out the old brake fluid and air bubbles from the hydraulic system.
It is important to change the brake fluid in your vehicle every 2-3 years. The reason is that brake fluid is actually hygroscopic which means that it absorbs moisture. When the moisture is absorbed into the brake fluid the brakes can become spongy or you can have a very long brake pedal. The way that the air bubbles form is from the moisture turning to steam under heavy braking which in turn creates air bubbles in the system. In the hydraulic system the air can now be compressed so you may notice a spongy or soft brake pedal. The brake pedal may also travel further towards the floor before it stops the vehicle. If you are noticing any of these issues it is a great idea to change your brake fluid.
In my DIY brake bleeding and flushing tutorial I show you a thorough guide on how to carry out a brake system flush and bleed properly. My tips for carrying out a brake fluid flush include-
1. wear gloves
2. wear safety glasses
3. wash down any brake fluid ASAP with water
4. Lay cardboard underneath your work area to absorb any spills
5. keep the reservoir always topped up
Bleeding the brakes on your car or 4wd is a necessary part of maintenance. It is also something that is easily overlooked or forgotten.
If you did enjoy my video on how to bleed your brakes by yourself and Free DIY brake fluid flush and Bleed. Please leave me a comment letting my know what you think! If you would like to support my channel, please give this video a big thumbs up and SUBSCRIBE to my channel :)
Thanks a lot for watching :) :)
LowRangeNick -
Instagram - / lowrangenick
Facebook - / lowrangenick
Disclaimer:
Due to factors beyond the control of Lowrangenick, I cannot guarantee against improper use or unauthorized modifications of this information. Lowrangenick assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. Use this information at your own risk. Lowrangenick recommends safe practices when working on vehicles and or with tools seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of Lowrangenick, no information contained in this video shall create any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage, or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or from the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not Lowrangenick.

[@LowRangeNick]

Hey Guys! Thanks for Watching :) Here's a link to a few bits and pieces to make the job easier! Penrite Super Dot 4 Brake Fluid - amzn.to/3dcdHf3 Flare nut wrench Pipe Spanners - amzn.to/3UaMkma Brake Bleeding hose and One way valve - amzn.to/3U5w5qm Measuring jug - amzn.to/3BG76mi Mechanics Nitrile Gloves - amzn.to/3DtsD30 Cheers Guys!

[@paulwalsh4236]

Great video mate

[@dekican]

Greetings from the US! Spray bottle idea is really clever, thanks for the video. I need to replace the brake fluid in my FJ cruiser and I think I'll follow your method

[@LowRangeNick]

Awesome, thanks a lot ! 🙂

[@johnhall4427]

One thing to add! If you unscrew and remove that little pink nozzel tip on your pump sprayer you will see that there is much less resistance and fluid will flow much faster and not spray so much in a fan pattern . Or you could also keep the pink nozzel tip but drill the hole in it somewhat bigger with a small drill bit.

[@DaithiDONKEYBIKE]

Excellent suggestion

[@javiergallegos6740]

😂​@@DaithiDONKEYBIKE

[@waverider5751]

In practice, keep that nozzle around, because it helps to prime and has less backflow with the restriction in the nozzle. Last thing you want is to let air in when you release the pump sprayer handle. It’s a vacuum pump, but a very weak one, so gravity bleed your brake lines until you can’t before you start pumping the sprayer.

[@ericjones4368]

I never thought of that it makes sense and cheap I'm gonna use this tactic from now on to bleed brakes thanks I learned something new at 40!!

[@mart9898]

15 years of you tube and u r the first guy who i ever see come up with this brilliant spray bottle idea to bleed brakes and make vacuum!!! I killed multiple vaccum pumps at 40 bucks each just to see that all i needed was a spray bottle! Koodos to you buddy, but overall human kind is fucked. If we were really special somebody should have hacked it in 2009...

[@joe226825]

Sorry mate I don't like your little squirty thing, Go buy yourself a proper Vaccum pump and brake bleeder device. Your squirty bottle is much to slow and most people would use a turkey baster to drain down master cylinder before adding new Brake Fluid in order to completely drain all the old fluid. (Do this every 2 yrs.) A Good Brake fluid change method is to do a 1 man Brake Bleed . I use a energy drink bottle with a hose hole drilled into the cap along with another small hole so air can escape the bottle. I also glue a magnet to the bottom of the bottle attached to a metal plate so no tip overs. Attach a Clear Plastic Hose attached to Bleeder fitting and collection Bottle. Open fitting and go pump the brakes 10 times making sure you are refilling the master cylinder regularly. Hose must be looped above the fitting so bubbles of air can go up then down into the bottle. The hose goes through a hole in the bottle cap fitting tightly and goes to the bottom of the collection bottle which has about 2.5 cm of fluid in it. This prevents any air from returning up the hose when you allow brake peddle to return to up position. You can also use a Vaccum Pump to bleed the brakes drawing the fluid down into an inline collection bottle. You can also do a reverse flush forcing the old fluid upward to the master cylinder and air bubbles always want to escape upward. You can use a DIY pressurized Herbicide spray bottle with proper discharge hose that fits over the brake bleeder securely. Use plastic Zip ties to tighten the hose to the fitting.

[@mikoschannel6413]

Finally, a 4x4 KZbin channel, that is calm, sensible, and that isn’t over hyperactive.

[@LowRangeNick]

Thanks a lot Mikos 🙂

[@Ittybittythetwofacedkitty]

I kinda miss the the loud heavy rock music (jk)

[@ramondasilva8126]

amen to that!

[@jonellwanger7258]

Lmao. Signs you have Low Testosterone. 🤣🤣🤣. Shout it to the world.

[@blizteredthumbs7911]

I seen a guy doing this the other day, he had a longer clear tube so he could rise it higher than the master cylinder. If air rises above the cylinder there's zero chance it's in the lower portion. I also pondered, rather than ending up with a quagmire arm, a little pond/water feature pump? Small thing but be much faster and less rsi on the wrist? But the spray pump would still work without any power.

[@stepright1]

Quagmire arm 😂😂😂😂😂

[@petergunczy2497]

Watched all your maintenance videos Nic, super easy to follow and has given me more confidence to do these things my self and save money at the same time. Can you do a video on a brake rotor exchange?Thanks mate.

[@AlfredPhelps-z7z]

Great job very informative. Keep it up the good work that is. Thank you

[@totallyunmemorable]

Be prepared to find that you don't have the right size tubing on hand. Get several diameters just in case BEFORE you remove that first wheel. Apparently, bleeder screws are not all a standard size.

[@reynaldosaratobias5808]

NOW I KNOW HOW TO BLEED BRAKE FLUED BY YOU'RE SELF ? THANKS FOR THE YOU'RE VIDEO BRO? GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY 👪 😊

[@daverieck6352]

Great idea on the bleeder, On older vehicles it depends where your ABS block is . Mine is above the rear axal , so have been told to do the front breaks and work to the back

[@zedizdead]

Why does that matter?

[@daverieck6352]

@@zedizdead I've always been taught to start further away from the abs block and bleed those first

[@robnation2475]

Same but different! (bigger, faster and still "free, free free") Recently I got in the shower to wake myself up prior to doing my brake job... Glad I did because that's where I came up with this: You can add a vacuum pump inline using a purple Aussie shampoo dispenser pump! The pump mates perfectly after pulling off the top head and bottom feed tube 😃. Fits clear vinyl tubing with 1/4" ID and 3/8" OD ...without any extra hardware! (Tubing fits over the top and inside the bottom of the Aussie purple pump) Perfect for Ford F150/F250 btw. Great for pumping out the master too. Note: Use a pair of pliers to hold the top plunger from moving as you shove the tubing on in place of the Aussie pump's head. I also added some 3M 33+ electrical tape to secure the bottom connection but that's probably overkill/unnecessary.😁

[@jamestanner9198]

Good idea for that mate. Im putting on new body mounts tomorrow i watched your other vid on that, Holden said none in country for 8 weeks and they called today saying they had them a shipment just arrived, Only took a week so i guess there is stock in the country now

[@LowRangeNick]

That's good news! Nice work 😀

[@gazsto]

Just about to buy a vacuum pump and came across this vid, so found an old spray bottle and clear tubing, heat shrink some outer layer tubing and ready for priming the calipers tomorrow. Great video and very helpful mate, cheers!

[@train4905]

Im watching this again,,not just because of the awsome calm clarity,BUT I ABSILUTELY LOVEE THIS LITTLE VACUM GADJET,,😊😊😊😊

[@mofassy]

You are a weirdo

[@aarbaut2852]

Thanks Nick, another great video , easy to follow the technique and some good tips. Cheers

[@Pray4Mojo1]

Be careful doing this. I ran out of daylight and had my headlamp on, decided to bleed my brakes this way instead of a bottle. After pumping and pumping I noticed a very fine mist go over my face. Because I was wearing a headlamp, it was very visible. Now I don't know if that mist was brake fluid or moisture from inside the fluid, but it scared the crap out of me because I have no idea how much of it I inhaled. If I die I'll report back

[@train4905]

Wow,absolutely awsome ,very clear,precice,and methodical,,taking it slowly,and steady,so people,can actually see what to doo,,exellent ,thankyou loads,ps the sprayer hack,,absolutely awsome,thankyou most kindly steve from the uk.😊

[@miaomiaomiao1272]

I always step the brake pedal many times，then hold stepping brake and another guy do the operation under the vehicle

[@MrLESRAJ]

What an excellent idea for us, thank you, god bless you.

[@deanattard-sq6bi]

Absolutely genius. Why have I never known this method. 😮

[@johnmayerislovee]

Has anyone tried repeatedly changing only the brake fluid in the reservoir method over a period of several weeks? Although not perfect, I believe this "Turkey-Baster" method does somewhat of a good job as a lot of the brake fluid eventually circulates throughout the entire system anyways and the brake lines will eventually fill with new brake fluid.

[@rickylee2477]

Wouldn’t work.

[@psdaengr911]

Good idea for a disposable vacuum bleeder. Note that fluid in the brake lines will be as contaminated with moisture and rust as in the master cylinder (usually worse). Moisture causes rust and rust promotes more rusting. That's one reason that rear brake cylinders and calipers tend to fail more often than fronts. A typical brake system contains twice the fluid shown that catch cup. If you want to do a flush rather than a bleed, empty the catch cup before doing each wheel and continue pumping until the fluid comes through looking like NEW fluid. This will take MUCH longer for the farthest wheel than just bleeding it. Also the brake systems of most cars since 1960 have two diagonal wheels on one primary circuit, the other two on a second one. If you have to do significant service on one wheel, always bleed/flush the diagonally opposite one afterward.

[@shalinibahaw]

Great idea i am going to try it right now and thank you very much how do i let you know the outcome

[@VarmaJohn-lx2de]

Tq so much mate, cheapest and brilliant way.

[@dozioma]

Hello Nick. Great video. Can I adopt this method for my e320 w211 Mercedes with SBC?

[@LowRangeNick]

Thanks a lot. Yep, you sure can 😊

[@robwainwright5387]

Thanks for a very informative video. What a great idea, just a simple spray pump to create a vacuum.

[@stanleylottering3935]

Wow this is really profitable to my knowledge, im 60 and all along have to get someone to pump the brahes 😂 God bless

[@vasilmojsej1884]

Instead of a vacuum bottle I have a 1 PSI non return valve at the discharge point. The rubber dust caps on my old cruiser have perished so I grabbed a spare nipple, made sure the hole was clear using a drill, then wrapped thread tape on the thread. I changed the nipple with the previous one doing the same process. This allowed me to use the foot pedal to self bleed the system. Much quicker than with 2 people. Shame didn't see your post first as I would have done it your way.

[@peteisi113]

Waao, Thanks buddy, im on the job. :))

[@louiskudlak2241]

I can do that, didn’t look hard, cool diy tool, thanks for sharing

[@LowRangeNick]

Cheers Louis 😀

[@prakashsangle617]

Very nice and useful video ❤. Great work no worries 😊 Be happy and loving!

[@lukey0209]

What a discover of smart way to bleed video clip, thanks a lot, I will do it this weekend, 🙂

[@brettwicks7339]

Great video mate , and the useage of the old pump pack sprayer nozzle for the suction to extract the old brake fluid brilliant idea . I will do my DMAX using your method next time when it's due , and save myself an hrs labour costs at the local mechanic shop , Take care .

[@LowRangeNick]

Thanks a lot Brett. 😊

[@chrispaley5920]

Yeah tried what you did to the word,but when attached to nipple and constant pumping trigger still had air coming out.

[@alismith6353]

What an awesome video! You’ve made this job so simple. Cheers for the assist!

[@DelaneyStudios]

awesome great instructions. I wish I could see when you added brake fluid it looks like more than one bottle.

[@alanabraham4809]

I didn't like your video. I loved it

[@LowRangeNick]

Haha thanks Alana 😊 😄

[@patrickkoigi4625]

Thanks , very much help

[@gregsantos9731]

Thankss, now im one of uour subscriber

[@pavsingh7653]

You are great man your video saved my £100 also can do alone thanks for sharing your video with us

[@roccozarcone4393]

Do you explained everything very well excellent video they all should be like that

[@mikeocsmall6766]

First vid where the instand info i needed was all in 1 vid lol cheers man.

[@AnxiousAussieLivestreams]

you made this super easy ... cheers

[@billramsey800]

Very informative Nick thank you. Everydays a school day 👍

[@josephvhoang]

YOU Are The Best. Love It.

[@nabucodonosorVII]

Thanks you very much. Good idea, greetings from Argentina!!

[@cecillec2331]

Thank you very much.

[@moisesabaga9478]

Thanks buddy for sharing this video

[@tompham4272]

Excellent bleeding brake fluid instruction

[@edmundwasilewski]

Brilliant work Nick. Excellent idea too

[@kcsbk]

really appreciate your efforts to make this video

[@roccozarcone4393]

Excellent video one of the best I’ve seen you made it easy

[@robwelch7442]

Nice video and some good tips. Really great idea about using a commonly available spray pump to create vacuum. You mentioned different colors of brake fluid apparently available in your area. Some years ago I (and many others here in US) alternated between ATE Yellow and Blue for annual brake system flushes. It was so easy to see when all the old fluid had been replaced with new, due to change in color. That hasn't been possible here for years, as all brake fluid is government mandated to be the same yellow color. It's a nice technique to assure all old fluid is replaced by new, if you are fortunate enough to live where different colors are available to purchase. I would still do it if I could buy it. Very good video, in any case. Well explained and nice calm delivery. Thanks.

[@takumiarigato6168]

Nice bro your video makes the job more easier now i can do it my self in my car..😊

[@DIYCarRepairs]

Thanks very easy and simple method, no more 17 time press the brake padel for each tyre, just use this spray bottle method.

[@EDDIEGARAGE]

great tutorial, how air gets into the system when is not obvious leaks????, thanks

[@Wolfsbane115]

hey Nick is there any difference with drum rear brakes to this process ??

[@LowRangeNick]

It's the same process just instead of bleeding the callipers you will be bleeding the wheel cylinders. 🙂

[@barriobarranco]

I might try pulling the fluid through with a 100ml syringe and a silicone tube. Got 2 rear calipers to replace so may as well replace the entire fluid in the system. I bleed my MTB brakes using the syringe and back flow method ie-from caliper to master cylinder, the only issue doing it in reverse may be drawing in air around the cracked open bleed nipple but as I'm changing fluid once it goes from skanky to clean I'll stop pulling and disconnect and let gravity bleeding happen for a wee bit so there's no chance of air in it before nipping up the nipples.... (and hopefully DOT4 won't mess with the syringe plunger like mineral oil does- swells it up and ruins it!)

[@mikek9158]

Well explained video...

[@CrIMiN8l]

Hi does the same apply to abs brakes? Thanks

[@LowRangeNick]

Yes it sure does!

[@ezequielcuriel9700]

Thanks for your video I will try that on my car

[@elyafitriadi8416]

Without anyones help is good job

[@ianrichardson9200]

So valuable. Thanks Nick.

[@Nehmo]

I realize there are other vacuum pumps used for bleeding brakes, but I don't fully understand the method. If the master cylinder is in the unpushed condition, how does vacuum at the end of the brake line pull brake fluid from the reservoir past the pistons in the master cylinder?

[@philjagdon6774]

Gravity? at the same time when you squeeze the trigger it sucks the fluid at the same time as the lid of the reservoir cover is not use to close

[@DaithiDONKEYBIKE]

When the pedal is pressed is the only time that flow from the reservoir to the nipple is restricted.

[@705johnnyboy]

doing this tomorow fantastic idea .now im not edgie and will sleep tonight lol....

[@ronaldmason8140]

Thank you for explaining this in detail I’ll have to try this next time a have to bleed some brskes

[@PapaVtecTv]

Very informative

[@jamescanta2990]

Thanks for sharing!

[@DMaxDamo]

Never seen that before! Great idea!

[@AntonGiulioPiras]

Per sostituire tutto il fluido bisognerebbe bloccare il pedali della frizione e del freno nella posizione piu bassa fare rientrare dentro tutti i pistoni delle pinze e successivamente spurgare come hai fatto nel video spurgando anche la frizione.. 👨‍🔧🙂😅😎👍

[@allanpower8041]

Just saw this Nick. Is that a specific piece of tube made to fit over the brake nipple?

[@reynaldosaratobias5808]

WOW NICE ONE HEHEHEHE 😊

[@chaukemt]

Great video Easy to follow. Am gonna do the same with mine

[@steve2181]

Brilliant idea.

[@raffaelle462]

genius

[@stevegoodwin5841]

thank you Nick.

[@josephgraham5724]

Good work

[@michalwalenciak2478]

Good stuff 🙏👍

[@P9876-c4c]

Thanks Nick another great clip. Can you do an aircon/alternator belt replacement one next?

[@LowRangeNick]

That's definitely on the to do list so stay tuned 😀

[@P9876-c4c]

@@LowRangeNick that’s great to hear! I can’t even tell you how much your vids have helped me with my ute. Keep up the great work!

[@LowRangeNick]

@@P9876-c4c thanks a lot! Really appreciate it 😀

[@robertchen9686]

Thanks Nick. Will this work for bleeding the clutch too.

[@LowRangeNick]

Hey Robert, it sure will.

[@jaimecabrales8514]

Thank you for sharing

[@cransaftvalve734]

If we want to purge a system with ABS without a scanner, how would we do it? If you want to change hoses or brake calipers, etc.

[@LowRangeNick]

Not necessary to perge the abs pump unless you are replacing the pump unit or the lines to it. You can just bleed as normal if replacing lines or callipers.

[@cransaftvalve734]

@@LowRangeNick OK, thanks.

[@dardangraceni]

Very good job .Can i bled clutch with this method

[@LowRangeNick]

You sure can!

[@cliffordparker2506]

Nice & helpful video.

[@RandallSoong-pp7ih]

Thank you!

[@SerratusNL]

Thank you very much!

[@MusenzeMoses]

That is the best thanks my friend.

[@anhvo4269]

You are great.Thanks.

[@glasser2819]

ADDITIONAL 2¢.... Drain WATER out of your calipers! The water is heavier so it falls lowest. The bleeder is located at highest point of piston cavity... You need to invert calipers to have water come out of bleeder port. Do this water drain by pushing piston back in while inverted during pad service! Next silicone-lube your slider pins for perfecty strong brakes. 👍

[@TheFaanie]

great idea for vacuum pump, although brake fluid is not safe, modify the "pump" nozzle to prevent spray and atomizing brake fluid around your work and breathing area, wear eye protection

[@RoySolomon-qq5uz]

This is a brilliant one man bleeding with that improvised suction pump. Planning to bleed my VW bug myself. Thanks

[@BarbeRodzTV]

Nice bro thank you for sharing this video it's helpful 👍👍❤️

[@ΕλενηΓκέλη-σ2δ]

I love clevers methods.Thanks Nick ❤

[@ΚώσταςΠετρούδης]

Συγχαρητήρια! Πολύ έξυπνη και απλή η μέθοδος σου , θα το κανω με την πρώτη ευκαιρία. Μήπως θα μπορούσες να μου γράψεις με πια σειρά κανεις εξαέρωση τραβοντας το υγρό φρένων γιατί δεν καταλαβαίνω την γλώσσα, Σ'ευχαριστώ!

[@pdelsaint4223]

Got another brilliant tips. Well done! It save me from spending a few hundred bucks. Thanks mate 👍

[@heathcolwell9190]

Don't go out and by a spanner wrench. You just need a normal boxed end wrench. The spanner wrenches were for older designs that had the bleeder valve behind the brake line. The gap in the wrench made it possible to go over the brake line and still wrap around most of the nut so it wasn't rounded off.

[@osmandermanel]

Thank You Sir!