Brake bleed problem
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 529
Likes: 2
From: Minnesota
How much vacuum did you build in the MityVac? I build it up to 10 and make sure it stays at 10 before opening the bleeder nipple.
Are you sure you're opening the bleeder nipple enough?
Is your MityVac or its hoses or reservoir clogged so it isn't sucking through the system?
Depending on which MityVac model you have, make sure you have the switch set to Vacuum and not Pressure.
Perhaps try the other front caliper and see how that goes. If it bleeds properly, you'll know your technique is good.
Are you sure you're opening the bleeder nipple enough?
Is your MityVac or its hoses or reservoir clogged so it isn't sucking through the system?
Depending on which MityVac model you have, make sure you have the switch set to Vacuum and not Pressure.
Perhaps try the other front caliper and see how that goes. If it bleeds properly, you'll know your technique is good.
Thread Starter
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Supporter
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,242
Likes: 1
From: Farmingdale, New York
Here's the procedure I used. With ignition off I removed reservoir then I set up the Mighty Vac and hooked it up to the left caliper(furthest from the reservoir)pumped it up to around 25 and then opened the nipple and nothing came out. Tomorrow I will try the old fasioned way and pump the hand lever and drain it into a bucket.......... I dunno thanks for all the help fellas its appreciated greatly........
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 5,323
Likes: 37
From: NJ
I tried to bleed the front brakes(to change out the fluid)and ran into a problem. It won't bleed. I removed the front brake reservoir cover, hooked up the Mighty Vac to the bleed fitting, pumped it up, opened the bleed fitting and no fluid will come out! I have read through some threads here on how to do this and know about the electronic thingy you have to hook up but I saw that wasn't needed............ What the F did I do wrong now for God's sake?
Just because you applied suction does not mean fluid will just run out.
You need to pump.
Thread Starter
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Supporter
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,242
Likes: 1
From: Farmingdale, New York
The vac only applies suction. You still have to pump the brakes with the mighty vac set up. The mighty vac saves you from having to open and close bleed nipples and gives the extracted fluid a canister to go into.
Just because you applied suction does not mean fluid will just run out.
You need to pump.
Just because you applied suction does not mean fluid will just run out.
You need to pump.
Your shittin Me?
Never once in my thread did I say I was smart.................. Thank God......
Thanks Man, I'll try it the correct way tomorrow and report back....
Fair enough, I have Techno Research so i've never tried to do it without using it. Learn something new everyday. So even when changing out lines and having the system completely dry huh?
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 4,416
Likes: 88
From: San Quirino, Italy
Yep. No problem. Just don't cycle the ignition.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 5,323
Likes: 37
From: NJ
Brake bleed 09 flhx non abs
My bike is over 5 years old so it was way overdue for a brake fluid flush. This is for NON-ABS!!!!!"........speak to abs guys or consult manual for abs.
I did front n rear in 30 painless minutes. Here's how.
I bought a $30.00 brake vacuum bleeder kit from Harbor Freight.
I'm not a big fan of the quality of some stuff of theirs but when you use a tool once every 5 years to do a job.....this brake bleeder kit was perfect.
It came with everything. 14 piece set.
The procedure:
Attach the brake bleeder hose to the caliper nipple ( book says do left side first for those with front dual calipers)
Take off your front brake master cylinder cover. Make sure your bars are turned full left to position the master cylinder even while on the jiffy stand. Do this carefully and preferably indoors also so no debris blow into your open M.S. & contaminate your fluid.
Go back to the hand pump now and pump her up to 20 hg vacuum.
While holding the vacuum pumps nipple attachment firmly on the calipers nipple, open the bleed nipple a few turns with your (in my case) 3/8 open end wrench.
At this point you should be ready to go.
You now have a vacuum sucking so when you pump the brake lever it will suck the fluid into the container which is attached to your bleed kit.
The only things you have to do is:
1) don't spill a drop of DOT 4 on your paint because DOT 4 Eats Paint.
2) don't pump the lever without having your eyes in the master cylinder resovour
3) Do Not pump all the fluid out at one time or you will inject air into your system!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'd recommend pumping the master cylinder below half and filling her back up and continue this process until you have filled the harbor freights bleed jar up which is attached to the vacuum pump 2 times per master cylinder.
Then retighten the calipers bleed screw, gently remove the harbor freight bleed/vacuum pump. Wipe up any drop of dot 4 from the caliper so the wind doesn't blow that drop on your paint.
Refill the master cylinder and take a second to clean/wipe the lip of the master cylinder clean as well as it's other half carefully and reinstall the m.s. cover.
Repeat for the rear.
This whole process took me about 30 minutes and 30 bucks. Worked for me. Thought I'd share it.
Later
I did front n rear in 30 painless minutes. Here's how.
I bought a $30.00 brake vacuum bleeder kit from Harbor Freight.
I'm not a big fan of the quality of some stuff of theirs but when you use a tool once every 5 years to do a job.....this brake bleeder kit was perfect.
It came with everything. 14 piece set.
The procedure:
Attach the brake bleeder hose to the caliper nipple ( book says do left side first for those with front dual calipers)
Take off your front brake master cylinder cover. Make sure your bars are turned full left to position the master cylinder even while on the jiffy stand. Do this carefully and preferably indoors also so no debris blow into your open M.S. & contaminate your fluid.
Go back to the hand pump now and pump her up to 20 hg vacuum.
While holding the vacuum pumps nipple attachment firmly on the calipers nipple, open the bleed nipple a few turns with your (in my case) 3/8 open end wrench.
At this point you should be ready to go.
You now have a vacuum sucking so when you pump the brake lever it will suck the fluid into the container which is attached to your bleed kit.
The only things you have to do is:
1) don't spill a drop of DOT 4 on your paint because DOT 4 Eats Paint.
2) don't pump the lever without having your eyes in the master cylinder resovour
3) Do Not pump all the fluid out at one time or you will inject air into your system!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'd recommend pumping the master cylinder below half and filling her back up and continue this process until you have filled the harbor freights bleed jar up which is attached to the vacuum pump 2 times per master cylinder.
Then retighten the calipers bleed screw, gently remove the harbor freight bleed/vacuum pump. Wipe up any drop of dot 4 from the caliper so the wind doesn't blow that drop on your paint.
Refill the master cylinder and take a second to clean/wipe the lip of the master cylinder clean as well as it's other half carefully and reinstall the m.s. cover.
Repeat for the rear.
This whole process took me about 30 minutes and 30 bucks. Worked for me. Thought I'd share it.
Later