Let it Bleed!!!
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Joined: Feb 2005
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Let it Bleed!!!
I was told, just today, that there is such thing as gravity brake bleeding. What it entails is simply attaching a piece of tubing to the bleeder nipple and running the tubing into a clear container. Partially open the nipple and it will bleed simply through gravity. Time is the issue. Has anyone ever heard of this or tried it? 
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
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From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
What I did was to imerse the end of a piece of tubing into a container of old brake fluid. This prevented air from being pulled back when I released the brake pedal.
I don't know how long the gravity method would take nor if fluid would leak past the MC piston into the lines to replace fluid that leaked out the bleeders.
I don't know how long the gravity method would take nor if fluid would leak past the MC piston into the lines to replace fluid that leaked out the bleeders.
Large Impressive Member
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
I've used this method on all types of vehicles, whether replacing lines, cylinders, calipers or all of the above. I'll bolt everything together and leave all the connections loose for a while, eventually tightening everything progressively outward toward the wheels. Obviously, don't let the master cylinder run dry. When time for the final bleeding, very little bleeding will be needed. This procedure has always served me well.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: High Plains Drifter Fayetteville, AR
I don't think you can gravity bleed an ABS system. Used to bleed my old manual brakes on my pickup with a gravity bleed. Just get a buddy (or the wife) to help you bleed the brakes properly.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 363
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From: Iowa Go Hawks
Last fall when I did my brake job I gravity bled. I just opened the bleeders with a plastic hose on them and let the fluid flow. You have to remember to not let the master cylinder empty, but it worked fine for me.
