Help with Bleeding the brakes

[93 Freshcort]

Just replaced everything in the front brakes and bled them, however they feel a little spongy still. The pedal has some play in it before the brakes start to grab. The car stops good, but I want to be safe, after all it's the brakes. Anyone have any good tricks on how to bleed the brakes.

[UnexplodedCow]

Bleed right rear, then left rear, then right front, then left front. That way you're working the air bubbles closer to the master. If you bled the short lines first, then air bubbles probably traveled into the long rear lines. You just replaced calipers, right? No master cylinder?

[93 Freshcort]

Yes, just the calipers. no master cylinder. This is exactly how I did it, using the old tube from the bleeder valve into a container of Brake fluid. One person job and it worked perfect. Thanks!

[cr33per]

if have 2 people, do u need tube on a container still?

[KimMG]

Originally Posted by cr33per

if have 2 people, do u need tube on a container still?

Yes, you will want the tube and catch container to minimize the mess. The drawback with the one-man method mentioned above is on some car air can be sucked back into the braking system via the threads on the bleed nipples.

[paqman]

Do we need to bleed it every time we change the brakes? I need to do my rear ones, and I'd rather not. Front don't need it, and the back ones are a big enough job anyway.

[KimMG]

Yes, you should bleed the brakes. Bleeding the brakes is part of the job. Brake fluid attracts moisture and should be changed every couple of years. Bleeding the brakes just takes a few minutes and is the easiest part of the job. I don't understand why you would want to skip that step.

[Anavel]

Originally Posted by KimMG

Yes, you should bleed the brakes. Bleeding the brakes is part of the job. Brake fluid attracts moisture and should be changed every couple of years. Bleeding the brakes just takes a few minutes and is the easiest part of the job. I don't understand why you would want to skip that step.

It's probably because most vehicles with ABS have a special procedure on how to bleed the brakes.

[KimMG]

Originally Posted by Anavel

It's probably because most vehicles with ABS have a special procedure on how to bleed the brakes.

Read the manual and find out what the procedure is. Again I don't understand why someone would skip the easiest step in repairing their brakes.
I have never found anything difficult about bleeding ABS brakes.

[paqman]

Yes, you should bleed the brakes. Bleeding the brakes is part of the job. Brake fluid attracts moisture and should be changed every couple of years. Bleeding the brakes just takes a few minutes and is the easiest part of the job. I don't understand why you would want to skip that step.

Well, because I've never done it before, and a mechanic I know said you don't need to do it every time. I had no idea it was the easiest part of the job. If I did, I obviously wouldn't skip it. However, thanks for your opinion.

[jerryls]

No need to bleed brakes if you are just changing pads or shoes!

[paqman]

Originally Posted by jerryls

No need to bleed brakes if you are just changing pads or shoes!

Ok, you say no need, others say why not? Should I or shouldn't I? How often should it be done?

[jerryls]

Originally Posted by paqman

Ok, you say no need, others say why not? Should I or shouldn't I? How often should it be done?

Changing pads or shoes doesnt require opening the hydraulic system. I'd only bleed the brakes if the pedal wasnt hard. Maybe change the fluid after 10yrs and bleed then.

[hakachukai]

incase you don't already know, your going need a C-clamp to squeeze the brake caliper in, so that the new thicker pads can be installed.

[paqman]

Originally Posted by hakachukai

incase you don't already know, your going need a C-clamp to squeeze the brake caliper in, so that the new thicker pads can be installed.

Thanks, got one. I've changed brakes before, but just have never bled the lines.