Wilwood brakes bledding techniques

[J240ZTurbo]

Just got an entire front and rear Wilwoods brakes, does someone here know the best way to bleed these puppies as there are 4 bleeders on each caliper two in the bottom two on top?

Edited July 3, 2010 by juan240z

[Nigel]

Did you look at Willwood's site:

 

http://www.wilwood.com/TechTip/TechFaqs.aspx#SB

 

Nigel

'73 240ZT

[clarkspeed]

If the system has been fully evacuated, I bleed them all. Starting right rear and finishing left front. In order of inside down, outside down, inside up, outside up. If the system was broken, I only tap the top bleeders inside then outside. If only flushing fluid, I only tap the top outside screw. I always bleed with a friend's foot on the pedal.

[madkaw]

Never touched the bottom bleeders-just the top ones, inside and out

[Nigel]

If the system has been fully evacuated, I bleed them all. Starting right rear and finishing left front. In order of inside down, outside down, inside up, outside up. If the system was broken, I only tap the top bleeders inside then outside. If only flushing fluid, I only tap the top outside screw. I always bleed with a friend's foot on the pedal.

 

What's the advantage to draining fluid out of the lower bleeders? Seems to me that's kind of like trying to fill up your sink without the plug... just a waste of fluid. Even Willwood says never to bleed the lower nipples. Can you elaborate?

 

Nigel

'73 240ZT

[TimZ]

What's the advantage to draining fluid out of the lower bleeders? Seems to me that's kind of like trying to fill up your sink without the plug... just a waste of fluid. Even Willwood says never to bleed the lower nipples. Can you elaborate?

 

Nigel

'73 240ZT

 

Nigel is correct - the only reason that there are four bleeders is to make the caliper reversible. There is no point in trying to bleed from the bottom bleeders.

 

Also, assuming you have just replaced your calipers and could have air anywhere in the system, you'll want to bleed at the master cylinder bleeders first. Then you generally want to bleed from the farthest point from the master cylinder first and work your way in. This would probably dictate bleeding the outside bleeders first, although outside vs inside probably doesn't make that much difference. On my 78, the brake lines are routed such that the driver's side rear is actually the farthest, so that's where I start.

[EvilC]

Tim is correct, driver side rear is normally the furthest on stock setups. Also did you upgrade the MC? Be sure to read threads on that if you have any issues. You will love the brakes if you get them working right!

[clarkspeed]

Yes I forgot, Master Cylinder First! Then far to near corners.

 

As far as bottom bleeders, I can only comment on my own experiences and practices wich may or may not apply to your setup. My AZC Wilwood setup is an older one. I've had problems getting air out after I fully evacuated the system more than once. Bleeding the bottom seemed to make the problem go away. I had to do it again 6 months ago after yanking the rear calipers off and my line plugs didn't hold overnight. All the fluid drained out of the rear MC and calipers. After bleeding the top bleeders twice, I couldn't get a hard pedal until I remembered I blead the bottom out last time the same thing happened. Low and behold, a hard pedal. And yes, the bottom bleeders are pointed DOWN.

 

If only bleeding the top bleeders works for you, that's great. If the pedal is still soft after a few rounds, don't be afraid to try it!

[johnc]

Yes I forgot, Master Cylinder First! Then far to near corners.

 

As far as bottom bleeders, I can only comment on my own experiences and practices wich may or may not apply to your setup. My AZC Wilwood setup is an older one. I've had problems getting air out after I fully evacuated the system more than once. Bleeding the bottom seemed to make the problem go away. I had to do it again 6 months ago after yanking the rear calipers off and my line plugs didn't hold overnight. All the fluid drained out of the rear MC and calipers. After bleeding the top bleeders twice, I couldn't get a hard pedal until I remembered I blead the bottom out last time the same thing happened. Low and behold, a hard pedal. And yes, the bottom bleeders are pointed DOWN.

 

If only bleeding the top bleeders works for you, that's great. If the pedal is still soft after a few rounds, don't be afraid to try it!

 

Agreed. If there are bottom bleeders I will use those first and then bleed from the top if the system is dry. The bottom bleeders are very helpful for gravity bleeding.