front brake ,bleed fluid how to?

[GregZ]

I had to switch front master cylinders. Both worked fine. Now one is completely emty of fluid. How to pump up. i filled brake fluid resorvior but cannot get it to bleed down.. what am I doing wrong
cheers

[chrisNI]

Try bleeding it off the bike - get the caliper level with or higher than the master cylinder - use a bit if wood or metel about the disc thickness to space the pads.


Sometimes helps a stubborn one....

[Jerry]

The best method I've ever found is to back-bleed the system, pumping fluid in through the bleed nipples on the calipers. I normally use a pump-action oil can filled with fluid. Make sure you get everything out of the way though, as when the main air lock is forced out into the master cylinder, it's a bit like a volcano blowing!!

[Steve R]

Jerry How do you connect the oil can to the bleed nipples?
I have a couple of those one way valve things from halfords and I cant get them to seal on to the bleed nipples.

[GregZ]

I figured I would have to back bleed the system. I went to the store and bought a cheap plastic cooking seringe. Filled it with fluid and attached to to caliper with small hose. While pumping brake I injected the fluid through the bleeder. worked perfectly. Cheers

[Pigford]

Ohhhhhh, Matron

Just a quick comment..... (as Jerry mentioned)

MAKE SURE YOU ALLOW FOR THE SPURT OF FLUID WHEN PERFORMING THIS OPERATION OR IT'LL BE ALL OVER THE CURTAINS.... errrrr PAINTWORK

[02GF74]

interesting that you are having problems bleeding.

i've never had problems with the "2 man method", on cars that is, on the Z you can reach the pedal/lever and nipple at same time so 1 man will do.

1. pull on lever/press on pdeal
2. open nipple
3. once fluid has popped out, close nipple
4. repeat from step 1

haynes method is to open the nipple at about same time as lever/pedal is pulled/pressed but I find the opening after gives more force to push the bubbles out and does not need worruying about opening too early, although that shouldn't matter.

I've come across the reverse bleeding, eother by sucking from the nipple - ooh err - or pusing fluid into the nipple - the latter is probably a bad idea as it can flip the seal in the master over, some Vauxhall master cylinders can do this,. no idea is the Z will.