Dumb question...

Can get away with replacing my brake lines and not have to bleed the entire system? During the past week I have replaced the stock caliper with a Z06 caliper, the stock rotors with Pro Stop rotors and upgraded to hawk pads. I'm at the point I'm ready to swap out the brake lines and had the question about bleeding. I have never done brakes before.

thanks for the help

I might be wrong but I believe you need to bleed the brakes regardless with all that you have done?

Anytime you break into the brake system you have to bleed em... You should have bled em after changing the calipers! I'm really surprised you didn't get a mushy pedal...

Changing pads you wouldn't have to bleed if you compress the pistons with a C clamp....

Anytime you break into the brake system you have to bleed em... You should have bled em after changing the calipers! I'm really surprised you didn't get a mushy pedal...

Changing pads you wouldn't have to bleed if you compress the pistons with a C clamp....

:iagree:
If there is a possiblity of air entering the system, you should bleed your brakes. If you change your pads and compress them, keep an eye on the brake fluid level. Make sure it doesn't overflow when compressing the caliper pistons and that it has adequate fluid when you pump your brakes back up.

:iagree:
If there is a possiblity of air entering the system, you should bleed your brakes. If you change your pads and compress them, keep an eye on the brake fluid level. Make sure it doesn't overflow when compressing the caliper pistons and that it has adequate fluid when you pump your brakes back up.

:iagree: Best way of looking at it "possibility of air entering the system" then bleed them.

Ok I swapped out the brake lines yesterday. As I mentioned I have not done this before.

So my question is how do you bleed the brakes?

There are a couple of ways to bleed your brakes, if you have never done it before the easiest way will require 2 people. I have always done this with the motor running.
Have one person setting in the drivers seat
Open the bleed valve at one wheel and have the person in the car press the brake pedal to the floor and keep it there. You will be able to hear it when the fluid escapes if there is air in the line. After you close the valve and tell the person in the car to release the pedal. They tell you when the pedal is in the up position and you can open the valve again and tell them to press the pedal to the floor. Repeat this process 3 to 5 times at each wheel. If you start on the rear do both wheels and then move to the front. If you have a clear piece of plastic tubing you can place it over the valve, it helps to control the mess and you can see if there are air bubbles in the line. Be sure not to let the master cylinder run dry because it will allow air into the system and you will have to start from scratch.
David

:iagree: Or a vaccume bleeder for a one man job, just start at the wheel furthest from the master cylinder ie. rear passenger, rear driver, front passenger and then front driver.

There are a couple of ways to bleed your brakes, if you have never done it before the easiest way will require 2 people. I have always done this with the motor running.
Have one person setting in the drivers seat
Open the bleed valve at one wheel and have the person in the car press the brake pedal to the floor and keep it there. You will be able to hear it when the fluid escapes if there is air in the line. After you close the valve and tell the person in the car to release the pedal. They tell you when the pedal is in the up position and you can open the valve again and tell them to press the pedal to the floor. Repeat this process 3 to 5 times at each wheel. If you start on the rear do both wheels and then move to the front. If you have a clear piece of plastic tubing you can place it over the valve, it helps to control the mess and you can see if there are air bubbles in the line. Be sure not to let the master cylinder run dry because it will allow air into the system and you will have to start from scratch.
David


Perfect! Thank you for the detailed directions! :cheers: