Bleedin' them brakes

[jamman18]

I replaced my rear disk pads and was going to bleed them, but when I loosened the valve with the tubing attached, the fluid did not come out through the tube but actually came out at the base of the valve.  Am I doing something wrong?  Comments and help would be much appreciated!

[LukeM]

Are you following the procedure in the Factory Service Manual?
Typically, when opening the bleed valve, it's usually a half turn at most.  From what I recall:

Lightly press the brake lever/pedal, open the bleed valve a quarter to half turn, close the valve, and release the lever/pedal.  Repeat until clean fluid comes out the bleed valve, and no bubbles come out.

This is what's done on the front brake.  I can't imagine the rear disk brake would be much different.

If you've got fluid coming out the base of the valve, there may be a crack in the caliper where the valve threads in, or there may be a bad seal somewhere in the caliper.  A close visual inspection may be helpful here.

Good luck, and keep us informed.
Luke M

[TOOLS1]

the holes in the bleeder are plugged. take a small drill bit and clean them out. You may have to remove the bleeder to clean the hole that goes sideways, but this will get it working. I have had to do this to hundreds of bleeder valves over the years on both cars, and motorcycles.
TOOLS

[jamman18]

So when I take the valve out am I to expect none, a little or a lot of brake fluid to come out?  Also, when replacing it, is there anything I need to add around the threads or does it just get screwed in plain?

Thanks!

[LukeM]

You'll get a little fluid leaking out when you remove the bleeder valve.  Keep it off the paint: brake fluid and paint are a bad mix, and brake fluid wins.  

Once the bleeder valve is working (or modified if you followed TOOLS's recommendation), when doing the actual bleeding process, you'll have a little fluid come out the tube.  Use a clear tube so you can see if any bubbles are coming out.  Just follow the procedure in the FSM, and you'll get it.

Luke M

[sgtslag]

I'd suggest using Speed Bleeder's.  They are very simple to install, and use.  After installing it (only one on the front brake), you connect a clear hose to the valve's nipple, suck the reservoir nearly dry (remove the old fluid with a syringe, or a meat baster, large eye-dropper from your local supermarket -- dedicated to this job only!  Do NOT use for food...), then top it off with fresh fluid, open the Speed Bleeder 1/4 turn, pump the brake lever until the fluid coming out is clear -- add fresh fluid to the reservoir as it drains down, making sure you don't introduce air into the line.

Speed Bleeders are inexpensive, often available at your local auto parts stores, and incredibly simple to use.  They have a ball-check valve that prevents air, and fluid, from going back into the caliper after it exits the Speed Bleeder.  You will hear the valve close when you reach the end of the travel of the brake lever.  Fluid only goes one way.  Once you see clear fluid coming out of the caliper, top off the reservoir, and cover it; close the Speed Bleeder valve (1/4 turn only), and you are done until the next time.

They are coated with some sort of grease.  This grease will wear/wash off after a few bleeds, but they sell a grease crayon to restore it.  For more information, check out their website:

http://www.speedbleeder.com/

You can locate the model needed on their web site.  Then check your local auto supply stores to see who carries them, and find your size.  Unscrew the old, screw in the Speed Bleeder, then hook up the hose, and in 15 minutes, you will be done.  It is fast, easy, and reliable.  Cheers!

[jamman18]

Thanks! Sure enough, I took a pin and paperclip to clean the hole out and wha-la!  It's open!!