Gravity bleeding is not only an inconvenience but also a safety issue. If you have recently changed brake line or replaced calibers, you may have experience of introducing air in the braking system. The air inside the braking system causes mushy feeling while putting a foot on the braking pedal.
So, the bleeding brake is a concerning safety issue that requires immediate remedy. Here is a gravity bleeding so that the brake can be handy and effective by releasing trapped air pressure. So, go through the detailed article to know how to gravity bleed brakes without visiting a mechanical workshop.
Things You Will Need
- Masking tape for the safety issue
- A small pair of vise grips
- An open-end wrench
- An empty quart jar
- One quart brake fluid/ oil
- 5 feet of 3/16-inch plastic tubing
- Automotive jack and four jack stands
- Hammer
Steps of gravity bleeding brakes
The following steps are DIY ideas abstain you from paying a visit to the mechanical workshop. So, follow them precisely and don’t try to skip to get the best result.
Raise Your Vehicle above the Ground
At first, raise your vehicle above the ground with the help of an automotive jack. Keep the car stand still on the four jack stands and remove all wheels from the car. When you remove a wheel, make sure that a jack stand supports that part. Otherwise, the car body can fall and occur a severe accident. When you completely remove all the wheels, the brake calipers will be accessible easily. This is the place where you have to work for a dynamic brake.
Find out the brake fluid reservoir
After finding the exact location of the brake calipers, try to find out the brake fluid reservoir. Generally, you may find it next to the brake calipers. After finding the reservoir, remove the cover as well as the bleeder caps with the vise grip pliers. You should tighten the caps if you find the bleeders dripping fluid.
Attach the Plastic Tubing
This time you have to be cautious. When you place the plastic tubing at the first wheel, make sure that the other end is above the fluid reservoir. You may have to extend the tubing to a higher level so that the reservoir can clean optimal air. The tubing is generally hanging down from a supported stick or c-pillar. You can also attach the tubing to the roof of the car with masking tape. It helps you work without any disturbance.
Release the Air Bubbles
After attaching the tubing to the roof, open the bleeder nipple with the open-end wrench. Be careful here while doing this. Now, you may see fluid rising in the plastic tubing. The air bubbles are escaping through the plastic tubing. The fluid will continue until it reaches the height to the tubing. Keep patience until the tubing is filled. Any hustle may result in the entire process nipping in the bud.
After that, use the hammer to tap the brake calipers. It forces the bubbles to rise in the tubing until it is topped off.
Close the Bleeder
When all bubbles have risen to the tubing, tighten the bleeder and pull the tubing off the reservoir. To go into the steps, at first set a jar below the nipple and then tighten the bleeder with the wrench. After that, pull the tubing off the bleeder. Always keep the fluid levels full while bleeding. If it isn’t full, air may enter into the bleeder again. So, be careful or start the entire process again.
Bleed the Remaining Brakes
Once the reservoir is filled up with brake fluids, topped it off for each brake. Let the bubbles rise to the tubing that helps to prevent more air enter into the braking system. So, make sure that reservoir bleeds enough to make itself free from bubbles and also runs the fluids clearly. Repeat the whole process for all four sides. Don’t forget to tighten the bleeder caps with the vise grip pliers.
Test Drive and Troubleshooting
Hope, you have completed the steps as mentioned earlier successfully. Now, take the car out for a test drive and start it. Put a little pressure on the foot brake pedal to test the brake efficiency. If you feel a little bit depressed, it proves the braking system is working well.
However, if the brake pedal feels mushy or hard, you need to redo the entire process. So, find out the problem and solve it with the help of a mechanical expert.