Gravity bleed brakes ???
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,909
Likes: 6
From: Lake Arrowhead - Georgia > 72 Base Coupe & 74 BB Roadster
Gravity bleed brakes ???
I have done many brake jobs on my own cars over the years. I have always considered bleeding brakes to be a 2 man job which usually ends with cursing and throwing wrenches. (actually me and the wife or even worse...one of the kids) 
I have seen the term....gravity bleed....on this forum. Can someone tell me what I am missing?
Thanks............I do not claim to be a smart man!
I have seen the term....gravity bleed....on this forum. Can someone tell me what I am missing?
Thanks............I do not claim to be a smart man!
Last edited by fotyfobravo; Oct 5, 2006 at 10:44 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 7,186
Likes: 45
From: detroit area
open all your bleeders and take the top off the MC.... have a beverage and fill the MC when it goes done a bit..... then have a beverage..... maybe tap the calipers to breakup any air pockets......then fill the MC.... have a beverage........ eat a sammich....then a beverage...then fill the MC......
let gravity work it's way
and have a beverage...
b
let gravity work it's way
and have a beverage...
b
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 2,461
Likes: 354
From: Madison Alabama
I did that once...took forever, ended up drinking brake fluid and putting Bud Lite in the MC....seriously, I started thinking I had a "gravity" problem in my garage. Best thing to do IMHO is the so called speed bleeders. To be honest nothing speedy about them but they will allow for a one-man operation when it comes to bleeding the brakes...I still have a beer or six while I'm doing it...makes for a hell of a test drive after all is said and done! JK, and I'm dead serious here...I never drink and drive....I drink and type all the time though...hence this post...cheers!
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Originally Posted by onaqwst
open all your bleeders and take the top off the MC.... have a beverage and fill the MC when it goes done a bit..... then have a beverage..... maybe tap the calipers to breakup any air pockets......then fill the MC.... have a beverage........ eat a sammich....then a beverage...then fill the MC......
let gravity work it's way
and have a beverage...
b
let gravity work it's way
and have a beverage...
b
But not totally--Do a very very good bench bleed--Open one bleeder at a time-start with drivers side-keep cyl full-tap all joints and anywhere air can lodge--do the pass. side- be patient- do both sides again.Road Test----Stop by 7-11 pickup beer --now drink the beer !!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 7,186
Likes: 45
From: detroit area
hell yeah.... my dad and i used to play alley shoes in the alley.....hahaha...we didnt have a big yard...... crazy.... nothing like a gravel pit to slide on....... and watch those shins tooo.....
i have a wicked rotating flip throw and is as deadly as a japanese ping pong player
i have a wicked rotating flip throw and is as deadly as a japanese ping pong player
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,000
Likes: 1
From: Minneapolis, Mn USA
When I did my caliper rebuilds, I tried the gravity method first. I just couldnt get a good pedal after a loooong time with it, tapping the calipers, tapping the MC, re-filling, etc.... So after that I went to the good 'ol pump and hold method. Took 2 passes around the car furthest to closest caliper method and bam! rock solid pedal!!
Took about 1 quart of brake fluid to get it right.
Brent....
Took about 1 quart of brake fluid to get it right.
Brent....
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,909
Likes: 6
From: Lake Arrowhead - Georgia > 72 Base Coupe & 74 BB Roadster
Originally Posted by MN-Brent
When I did my caliper rebuilds, I tried the gravity method first. I just couldnt get a good pedal after a loooong time with it, tapping the calipers, tapping the MC, re-filling, etc.... So after that I went to the good 'ol pump and hold method. Took 2 passes around the car furthest to closest caliper method and bam! rock solid pedal!!
Took about 1 quart of brake fluid to get it right.
Brent....
Took about 1 quart of brake fluid to get it right.
Brent....
Thanks everyone for the info.............
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 2,675
Likes: 13
From: Sudbury MA
Have been using the gravity bleed method for 30 years and never a problem. Learned about it from an old mechanic who always told me "work smarter, not harder". I let them bleed while I am on the computer in the gargae or doing some other job. Just keep eye on master cylinder so it doesn't run dry.
I have a rock hard pedal on my 68 and it stops on a dime.
Kurt
I have a rock hard pedal on my 68 and it stops on a dime.
Kurt
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,921
Likes: 0
From: GA "When I grow up, I'm gonna get a Trans Am and run from the cops". Direct quote from my 4yo son.
Go to the autozone and get one of those $20 vacuum pump bleeders. One man job and works like a champ. Or Fred, just call up one of your old crew chiefs and maybe they will help!!
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 10,046
Likes: 675
From: FL
Originally Posted by onaqwst
i still get a few points for being partially correct...... but then again that only counts in tossing hand grenades
b
b
But seriously, I did gravity bleed for a while (just used a big catch can) and then I bought a pressure bleeder. I spend more time taking the wheels off than bleeding now.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Originally Posted by fotyfobravo
OK.....pump and hold...throw a wrench.....that's the way I have always done it...I thought maybe I had been working too hard all these years.....sounds like the best way still. I will give gravity a try....but sounds like a bunch of phooie!
Thanks everyone for the info.............
Thanks everyone for the info.............
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 6,400
Likes: 1,226
From: Tampa Florida
Originally Posted by 69camfrk
Go to the autozone and get one of those $20 vacuum pump bleeders. One man job and works like a champ. Or Fred, just call up one of your old crew chiefs and maybe they will help!!
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
From: Melville, Long Island NY
Tried the Might Vac method with Silicone fluid and could never get all the air out 
(maybe because silicone is tougher to work with?).
Switched to the gravity/cold brewed beverage method. Took a couple hours and quite a few beers, but worked like a charm.
(maybe because silicone is tougher to work with?).Switched to the gravity/cold brewed beverage method. Took a couple hours and quite a few beers, but worked like a charm
.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 2,675
Likes: 13
From: Sudbury MA
I bought the Mighty Vac but did not use it when several on this Froum cautioned that using the Mighty Vac can contribute to air in the system because it is so strong that is literally can suck air past the seals thereby contaminating the system with air. Don't know if it's true but I wasn't going to find out the hard way so I did the gravity thing with great results.
Kurt
Kurt
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,909
Likes: 6
From: Lake Arrowhead - Georgia > 72 Base Coupe & 74 BB Roadster
Originally Posted by DWncchs
phooie ? hmmm
OK....
......I am going to try gravity method.....Do I really open EVERY bleed valve all at once and just let it drip? Sounds way too easy.
HOOK-EM HORNS
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,517
Likes: 842
From: Port Aransas, Texas Tx
St. Jude Donor '08
We finished mine today. You have to bench bleed the master cyl. It should come with two plastic plugs. Install them and push in the piston slow numerous times until it get hard as hell. Install the cyl and remove the plugs and hook up your lines. We bleed the cyl again then at the top lines. Then open all the bleeders and let them ooze. Works everytime.