DIY Tool to Pressure Bleed Brake Lines
We have a 2007 Winn Voyage 38J on a Workhorse W24 frame. We have bad rust on my brake lines in the rear. One got a pin hole leak so I replaced all the brake lines from about 3 ft back from ABS to the caliper hoses.
The service manual says prefers a pressure bleed at 20-30 psi so I searched for available tools and realized I could make my own. Below are photos of items for a homemade pressure bleed tool:
- rubber stoppers
- barbed nipple
- hose
- bungee cord
I discovered that apparently the front and rear fluid reservoirs are connected somehow. Initially I was putting pressure just on the left reservoir but I could hear air escaping from the right reservoir cap. So I got another stopper.
I connected hose to air gun set to ~20 psi, worked great. On rear lines I initially got bubbles, then solid fluid, continued to flush. Used about a gallon of brake fluid. I flushed the front lines as well. Always keep fluid in the reservoirs.
I used double flare tool (auto store loaned me the tool) and after I practiced several times became pleased with my results. It requires a lot of force to form a steel line flare. See photo of my unions.
Thanks to Kevin Caudill for his informative YouTube and valuable help.
Materials
Pressure Prep
Pressure Bleeding
Unions
The service manual says prefers a pressure bleed at 20-30 psi so I searched for available tools and realized I could make my own. Below are photos of items for a homemade pressure bleed tool:
- rubber stoppers
- barbed nipple
- hose
- bungee cord
I discovered that apparently the front and rear fluid reservoirs are connected somehow. Initially I was putting pressure just on the left reservoir but I could hear air escaping from the right reservoir cap. So I got another stopper.
I connected hose to air gun set to ~20 psi, worked great. On rear lines I initially got bubbles, then solid fluid, continued to flush. Used about a gallon of brake fluid. I flushed the front lines as well. Always keep fluid in the reservoirs.
I used double flare tool (auto store loaned me the tool) and after I practiced several times became pleased with my results. It requires a lot of force to form a steel line flare. See photo of my unions.
Thanks to Kevin Caudill for his informative YouTube and valuable help.
Materials
Pressure Prep
Pressure Bleeding
Unions
