Bleeding the master cylinder and brake lines is the process of removing air from the hydraulic lines. Brake bleeding is one of the most important things you can do to ensure the proper operation of your brakes and the safe operation of your vehicle.
Air bubbles in the brake lines will decrease the brake pedal amount applied to the brake pad at each wheel. Air bubbles will also make the brake pedal feel no braking force. This means when you press the brake pedal down, the driver will feel little.
If you are a regular user of your vehicle, you might have faced some brake problems. The common one is the brakes feeling soft during the time you put the brakes on. This is mainly a problem on the brake line, and a bleed master cylinder without bench bleeding can solve the problem.
Following the article how to bleed master cylinder without bench bleeding, you will get a step-by-step guideline about the answer to the above question.
Table of Contents
What Is Brake Bleeding?
Since the appearance of the hydraulic brake system, bleeding the system is a necessity. By bleeding means that removing air out of the system. Air in the system can recognize by a spongy brake pedal, and it also causes the brakes not to function at their optimum level.
Air in the brake system will not go away on its own; you will have to mechanically remove the air. When there is air in the line, you are not transferring the force of the brake fluid, but rather compressing the air. It takes a lot more pressure for air to activate the brake calipers than it does brake fluid.
How To Get Air Out Of Brake System?
You can check the bleeder screw while getting the air out of the brake line. In case the screw gets stopped, it needs repairing. Thus, you will need at least two people to get this job done.
At the same time, remove the screw completely and put your finger carefully into the hole. Tell your friend to slowly pump the brakes until the fluid starts coming out and touches your finger. Fill up the reservoir before this process.
Similarly, continue this for around 10 seconds. Put back the screw tightly in its original position. Move to the other side of your vehicle and repeat the process.
How To Bleed Master Cylinder Without Bench Bleeding?
By following the below steps you can easily know how to bleed master cylinder without bench bleeding step by step.
1. Supplies
Unlike with bleeding a separate or new master cylinder, you can do this without gathering new parts or equipment.
- You will need a brake bleed screwdriver or wrench. You will have to loosen the screws that hold the hoses in place to bleed the master cylinder.
- Second pliers. You will need these to pinch the hose attached to your master cylinder in between pumps
- Thirdly WD-40 or another water-displacing solvent. Your brake bleed screw may be caked with oil or other contaminants and be difficult to unscrew. You’ll use the WD-40 to remove this material and allow yourself to loosen the screw.
- Fourthly a helper. you need a helper to pump your brakes while you fiddle with the hoses and screws underneath your car.
- Start with jacking up the car. This will allow you to get underneath it to work with the master cylinder.
- Immobilize the car by blocking the wheels, and make sure it won’t roll by parking it on a flat surface.
2. Place A Container Underneath The Master Cylinder’s Bleeder Nozzle
While going to the work with how to bleed master cylinder without bench bleeding, it can get messy. So, this container will be used for catching the excess brake fluid, so make sure you don’t mind that it gets dirty.
Consider attaching the hoses to the container in some way. Once you begin pumping, they will begin flailing about and spray blake fluid everywhere if they are not anchored down in some way.
3. Slowly Pump
Ask your helper to slowly pump your brake pedal several times by calling out “down” when pressing the brake pedal and “up” when letting it go. Have your helper press and hold down the brake pedal. Now you will begin doing some work on the master cylinder.
4. Detaching
Detach the hoses connecting the brakes and the master cylinder. This isolates your master cylinder and keeps you from bleeding your brakes as well.
- Whenever you trying to bleed your master cylinder and not your brakes. You don’t want to affect the latter by messing with the former.
- Likely, brake fluid will instantly fly out. This is why you want to have a container attached.
- Before your helper releases the pedal, make sure you have the hoses back on.
- Then proceed to the next step of how to bleed master cylinder without bench bleeding.
5. Examination
Examine the brake fluid. In case there is air in the fluid, you will see air bubbles in what was discharged. This is also why it is important to have a container or jar because without collecting the fluid, you will have no idea whether there is fluid in the brakes or not.
6. Reattaching
Reattach the hoses to the master cylinder. Failing to do so will allow air back into the cylinder. Make sure your helper releases the pedal.
7. Air Is Out Of The Master Cylinder
Repeat until the air is out of the master cylinder. Don’t forget to continue topping up the master cylinder with brake fluid. Otherwise, you may introduce air into it and have to begin again.
How Long Does It Take to Bleed Brakes?
It takes about 10 to 15 minutes per wheel to bleed your brakes. Since there are four brake lines, it would take you around 30 minutes to bleed your brakes for the entire vehicle. The procedure is simple, but you need one person to assist you, as someone should press on the brake pedal while you’re doing the process.
Conclusion
Bench bleeding is especially useful with new master cylinders. It’s a great way to get the air out of the cylinder itself and begin your brake bleeding process quickly and easily.
Well, there you have it. Bleeding the master cylinder is as easy as it is important, and it should always be done before installing a new one or when refurbishing your hot rods brakes.
