Thread: Alternative brake bleeding procedures??

I put some new stainless braided lines on the NX courtesy of Gspec I also rebuild or replaced all of the calipers ( the NX had two right front calipers )

But I have been having issues getting the brakes bleed well after I have speed bleeders that suck and leak air (two different sets/brands) I have used the worthless hand vacuum pumps they sell at Auto Zone as well as the one man bleeder thing and still cant get the mush out. (I'm starting to think the MC must have some air in it argh!)

I did a google search and found a site that had a few different/less conventional methods

http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/gravity-bleeding-brakes-81243.html

There are three ways I haven't seen on that site. Does anyone have any speculation as to whether those would work on our cars?

This seems to be a problem that a lot of people have so it would be cool to find a definative "better way".
Anyone have any better ways/worthwhile/secret tips to save millions of gallons in spilled brake fluid ?

Stupid question but you did do it in the right order?

Yep, make sure you are following the FSM for the right order.

Also, I had a hell of a time bleeding my brakes until I figured out that the threads of the bleeders were allowing air to get in to the calipers while I was bleeding them. I wrapped the threads with some teflon tape, and then they bled perfectly.

Check mark on the right order, at least if the FSM is right Don't under estimate my ability to mess up something stupid simple...THOROUGHLY



^Watch out with that teflon tape on the bleeders brake fluid will dissolve that stuff like toilet paper in water.

Good call on the bleeders leaking, I think I might pick up yet another set of bleeders maybe some nice soft brass ones and try again.

Your problem is the leaking bleeders.

You are correct about using teflon tape but from my experience, the wont leak until the next bleeding attempt. If you have SpeedBleeders, the sell a sealant for use when installing their bleeders that works excellent. But, you must reapply it after every use too..

I haven't heard of that sealant before, sounds like something I might have to look into. Do you know who makes it?

this past winter my se-r received goodrich ss lines all around and new calipers up front among other sheeeit. i've bled a lot of brakes, but the crap i went through this time was getting me nowhere so...
the car went to a local firestone. they used a vacuum system to bleed the brakes. the pedal has never felt firmer since the day i bought the car new in "97". i paid $75 but it was worth it, imho.
some day i'll break down and replace the original 204K+ rear calipers, pads and rotors

Its actually sold by Speed Bleeder (near the bottom of the page).
The speed bleeders are pre-treated at the factory when shipped.

Im not sure if the stuff is sold elsewhere.

I'm about at that same point too. I really want to track the NX in the future and bleeding the brakes is a must. I really need to be able to get this done on my own and figure out what I'm doing wrong or else find what is leaking



Thanks for that link I did a Google search and couldn't even find that stuff. I think the Russel speed bleeders have some thing like that, but your screwed once the stuff wears off. I guess they just want you to buy new bleeders I gonna definitely have to pick a bottle of that stuff up

I bled the master and tried the gravity bleed from the other site and couldn't get the system bled all the way so maybe the proportioning valves that are on the NX aren't the same on those older cars or maybe I messed it up somehow

Next up to try is the evacuation method, off to Harbor Freight to pick up an oil pump tomorrow.

Update I just found this link http://www.bmw-m.net/TechProc/bleeder.htm I just need to find a spare brake master cylinder cap somewhere. Total cost for this pressure system is $12 much better than the $100 setups. hopefully this will expose any leaks and get everything bled post haste.