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Reverse Bleeding Brakes

Posted: Sat Mar 06, 2021 5:36 pm
by RussGLAuto
Evening gents,

Anyone had any experience with doing this job 'the other way around'?

Seems like you start with an empty (drained) brake system, and pump the fluid in via each calliper.

Makes more sense when you think about it.

Re: Reverse Bleeding Brakes

Posted: Sat Mar 06, 2021 10:28 pm
by GT_II
I've not heard of that before. On the face of it, you're driving the air bubbles upwards, easier than downwards. On the flip side, pumping upwards may be less effective at clearing any sediment

Re: Reverse Bleeding Brakes

Posted: Sun Mar 07, 2021 9:04 am
by Yandards
Wouldn't want to go down that route. Caliper dust and piston seals are not 100% effective at keeping the crap out and by reverse filling it'll push all that gunk back through the system. Not to mention the state of the bleed nipples at the caliper end.

Whilst the hydroscopic effect of brake fluid and gradual seal wear at the brake master will produce some crap it's not going to be as bad as going 'backwards'. For those with disc brakes at the back the rear compensator is another complication although that has an impact in both directions.

I've been changing brake systems and bleeding them on various aircraft for over 23 years and have never reverse bled them.

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Re: Reverse Bleeding Brakes

Posted: Sun Mar 07, 2021 9:26 am
by RussGLAuto
Wise words gents, I'll do it the tried and tested way.

I watched some You's Tube vids the other day championing it, but must admit there ideas are not always best!

Re: Reverse Bleeding Brakes

Posted: Sun Mar 07, 2021 11:34 pm
by Kdc169
You could always get different colur brake fluid and bleed it through until colour changes or drain system completely. and freshen with new oil