Not having any luck bleeding from brakes.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,947
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From: Ontario, Canada
Not having any luck bleeding front brakes.
After installing new bars, braided lines, and chrome calipers, we just can't seem to get the dam things to purge completely of air.
Any help would be very much appreciated.
Any help would be very much appreciated.
Last edited by Wally; Apr 2, 2010 at 06:17 PM.
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Joined: Apr 2007
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Forcing the fluid in thru the bleeder screws works well. Or some sort of Mighty Vac/ vacuum pump. After getting some lever feel, let the fluid stabilize for a little while then bleed regularly. You may need need to turn the bars to make sure the banjo at the master cyl is not the highest point, or the air will just stay there.
ETA: Pushing the pistons slowly back into the calipers can get rid of stubborn air as well. If you have sticky pistons, the air may be gone, but the brakes will still feel spongey.
ETA: Pushing the pistons slowly back into the calipers can get rid of stubborn air as well. If you have sticky pistons, the air may be gone, but the brakes will still feel spongey.
Last edited by SuperAir; Apr 1, 2010 at 05:49 PM.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 948
Likes: 1
From: Worth, Illinois
Try pulling in the front brake lever and tie it up with a bungee cord. Let it sit over night, then take a screwdriver and tap the brake res, and release the lever and try it then. It should get a lot of the air out, someone had a write up on here in the DIY section and it worked great for me last year at this time. I also bought speed bleeders and put those in also.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 148
Likes: 0
Forcing the fluid in thru the bleeder screws works well. Or some sort of Mighty Vac/ vacuum pump. After getting some lever feel, let the fluid stabilize for a little while then bleed regularly. You may need need to turn the bars to make sure the banjo at the master cyl is not the highest point, or the air will just stay there.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 5,323
Likes: 37
From: NJ
Also you can open the caliper bleeder and pour in a full amount of fluid into the master cylinder and just let it run through th system being very carefull never to let it run low and introduce more air. Basically your flooding the lines via gravity......
I've done that for peace of mind knowing that I have introduced a contiguious amount of fluid into the system for sure. THen I bleed as normal.
I've done that for peace of mind knowing that I have introduced a contiguious amount of fluid into the system for sure. THen I bleed as normal.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,148
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From: Banning, CA
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Elite HDF Member
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From: Ontario, Canada
We were at it for over an hour, and although we did get some feel in it, it isn't purged yet.
What if there is a high spot in the line?
Like were it goes from the master cylinder in under the dash pod, and across and up so it can go down the fork leg to the t fitting.
Is it possible there is air caught in there and we just need to keep purging?
What if there is a high spot in the line?
Like were it goes from the master cylinder in under the dash pod, and across and up so it can go down the fork leg to the t fitting.
Is it possible there is air caught in there and we just need to keep purging?
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Thread Starter
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,947
Likes: 5
From: Ontario, Canada
Forcing the fluid in thru the bleeder screws works well. Or some sort of Mighty Vac/ vacuum pump. After getting some lever feel, let the fluid stabilize for a little while then bleed regularly. You may need need to turn the bars to make sure the banjo at the master cyl is not the highest point, or the air will just stay there.
ETA: Pushing the pistons slowly back into the calipers can get rid of stubborn air as well. If you have sticky pistons, the air may be gone, but the brakes will still feel spongey.
ETA: Pushing the pistons slowly back into the calipers can get rid of stubborn air as well. If you have sticky pistons, the air may be gone, but the brakes will still feel spongey.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 820
Likes: 1
From: Sunny Saint Petersburg Florida
Try pulling in the front brake lever and tie it up with a bungee cord. Let it sit over night, then take a screwdriver and tap the brake res, and release the lever and try it then. It should get a lot of the air out, someone had a write up on here in the DIY section and it worked great for me last year at this time. I also bought speed bleeders and put those in also.