brake lines
- The Doctor
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brake lines
My friend's 82 kawasaki 440 had very old brake fluid so we decided to change the fluid.
We took all we could through the bleeding nipple but it was coming out too slow so we decided to try draining it through the lines so we took apart the lines and put them back together and then not fluid would come out the nipple at all.
What can we do to finish draining the reserve and create pressure in the lines again?
Thank you in advance
We took all we could through the bleeding nipple but it was coming out too slow so we decided to try draining it through the lines so we took apart the lines and put them back together and then not fluid would come out the nipple at all.
What can we do to finish draining the reserve and create pressure in the lines again?
Thank you in advance
- Sev
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:O you're in for a fun night. You need to start pumping new fluid in. Fill up the reservoir then pump the lever a couple of times to get fluid to start to flow into there. Then... you'll have to bleed them.
Pump pump pump, squeeze, open nipple, close nipple, release, pump pump pump, squeeze, open nipple, close nipple, release.
Do not let the reservoir empty out. Keep doing this until you get clean brake fluid through the lines and no bubbles. It's going to take a lot of worth though.
Pump pump pump, squeeze, open nipple, close nipple, release, pump pump pump, squeeze, open nipple, close nipple, release.
Do not let the reservoir empty out. Keep doing this until you get clean brake fluid through the lines and no bubbles. It's going to take a lot of worth though.
Of course I'm generalizing from a single example here, but everyone does that. At least I do.
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- Sev
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For future reference, you don't need to drain the old fluid out. Just pump most of it through, then add clean stuff to the top. Keep pumping it through and filling till it comes clean out the bottom.
Of course I'm generalizing from a single example here, but everyone does that. At least I do.
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- Nibblet99
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Oh the joys of bleeding brakes
.... Sev's given you the right info, but just wanted to add: make sure whoever's opening and closing the bleed nipple definately has it closed before you release the lever
Believe me it sucks when you're almost done, and they mumble something you assume to be "ready" then suck air back into the lines when you release the lever

Believe me it sucks when you're almost done, and they mumble something you assume to be "ready" then suck air back into the lines when you release the lever

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- Sev
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That's why I do it solo whenever I get the chance. The people who help me tend to want to do it too fast. Go go go go go. Well I want to take my time and make sure I don't get air bubbles in there.
Of course I'm generalizing from a single example here, but everyone does that. At least I do.
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I quit bleeding my brakes that way... It takes WAY too long and it can make a mess.
Use this: http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product. ... Cookie=Yes
You just connect it to the bleed screw, open it up, pump it a few times, and all the air comes right out... Along with most of the fluid in your reservoir, so make sure you watch it.
Use this: http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product. ... Cookie=Yes
You just connect it to the bleed screw, open it up, pump it a few times, and all the air comes right out... Along with most of the fluid in your reservoir, so make sure you watch it.

The first time I used mine, I thought it was a gimick to get me to spend money on cool looking tools. I would pump until my hand hurt and nothing would happened. I found that the boot that fit over the bleed screw wasn't fitting right, so I found one that felt too small for it and it snapped on. The seal around it has to be really tight for it to work right. And you have to be quick. I find a box wrench to put over the screw, then attach the vacuum line. That way I can quickly turn the bleed screw when I don't see any more air coming out, or when the reservoir gets low.
Once you get your own system down, it works really really well. I had a completely empty brake system and it only took me about a minute to bleed it after I had everything hooked up. No fluid to clean up either (other than the hoses I had hooked to the vacuum pump)...
Once you get your own system down, it works really really well. I had a completely empty brake system and it only took me about a minute to bleed it after I had everything hooked up. No fluid to clean up either (other than the hoses I had hooked to the vacuum pump)...