Bureau of Automotiive Repair Brake Diagnosis and Bleeding Procedures

According to the Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) brake
inspection & repair manual the only bleeding method that will detect all
leaks and bleed the system at the same time is to slide the box end of a
combination wrench onto a bleeder, attach a clear hose to the bleeder
valve, other end into a clear 1/2 fluid ounze bottle, open bleeder valve
about 1/8 to 1/4 turn, pump brakes with bleeder open while watching hose
until clear bubble-free fluid exits then retighten bleeder, refill master
cylinder every 20 pumps. Do this in order of RRI, RRO, LRI, LRO, RF, LF.
Repeat this cycle once to be sure all air is out of the system and that no
air is getting in.
If you keep getting air bubbles out of a
bleeder then there is a leak somewhere, usually it\’s the caliper and
replacing or rebuilding it fixes it. Holes in the system can be small
enough to let air in, but not leak fluid which is why pumping is best
because it will cause a vacuum in the system when letting up off the
brakes, while providing the desired pressure to properly bleed the system.
This method is best because it activates the system the way it
will be used thus detecting any problems that may occur while using the
brakes on the road (except warped rotors which you find out upon test
driving).
I think brakes are important, and if you can\’t get
them bled properly then try to find a mechanic that will talk to you…see
if they will let you read their BAR brake inspection & repair
manual…they are required to have it at their site if they have the BAR
Brake Inspection Station sign out front. Sometimes visiting when they are
getting off with a 6-pack helps loosen their tonque…when I was the
on-duty mechanic at a Chevron station I woulda spilled my guts for a
beer…or was that spilling my guts after too many beers? Oh well, you get
my point.