Notices

Gravity bleed trailer brakes

Thread Tools
 
Old 05-27-2014 | 04:43 PM
  #1  
Dave M's Avatar
Thread Starter
Gold Member
Veteran: Navy
25 Year Member
Gold Member
 
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 5,664
Likes: 140
From: Hollywood, MD, USA
Default Gravity bleed trailer brakes

Pretty sure my trailer brakes just need to be bled. I saw this video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVq7sAFJTpI

Seems pretty simple. Do you think this will work with trailer brakes?
Dave M is offline  
Reply
Old 05-27-2014 | 07:26 PM
  #2  
Registered
 
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 128
Likes: 0
From: Greenwell Springs, Louisiana
Default

Top off the fluid in the master cylinder and make sure the master cylinder is higher than the bleed ports.
You might need to actuate the cylinder a couple of times if you don't get any flow at first, but other than that, just make sure you keep the cap off the master cylinder and keep it full while it bleeds.
Cajun 2 Stepp is offline  
Reply
Old 05-27-2014 | 08:27 PM
  #3  
c_deezy's Avatar
Registered
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,461
Likes: 0
From: Ontario, OH
Default

I didn't watch the video but I used to gravity feed my brakes. I just used a tube and a pop bottle, sucked on the tube to get it going and when I saw the fluid (clear tube obviously) draped it over a bunk and let it gravity bleed into the pop bottle for awhile. I have surge brakes with a Titan/Dico actuator with discs.

I have a gast vacuum pump I use now with a catch chamber.
c_deezy is offline  
Reply
Old 05-27-2014 | 10:36 PM
  #4  
Expensive Date's Avatar
Registered
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 4,224
Likes: 1
From: West Creek NJ
Default

[ATTACH=CONFIG]523885[/ATTACH] $20.00 Home depot pump up spayer, extra master cylinder cap. Little modification, fill with brake fliud and pump up. While cap is screwed on master of course.
Attached Thumbnails Gravity bleed trailer brakes-0508022213.jpg  
Expensive Date is offline  
Reply
Old 05-28-2014 | 04:12 AM
  #5  
Sydwayz's Avatar
Forum Regulator
20 Year Member
Super Moderators
VIP Member
 
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 24,211
Likes: 1,608
From: Worldwide
Default

I don't know for certain that gravity feed will work with trailer brakes, but that all depends on the routing of your brake lines. If you have any "loops or humps" in your brake line routing that are higher than your bleeder valves, I would think air would trap in there sans pressurizing all the way against a slightly opened bleeder.

I did not know about those Russel Bleeder Valves. Good to know.

For those with EoH, you can use the manual activation button in the truck (with a second person) to push fluid through the system.
I too have a pump system as shown above, but I bought it many years ago; as it was specifically a 1-man bleeder system made for such.
Sydwayz is offline  
Reply
Old 05-28-2014 | 04:25 AM
  #6  
Registered
 
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,261
Likes: 2
From: Great Sacandaga Lake, NY
Default

Local mechanic let me borrow his vacuum bleeder, works great. Surge/Discs.
Rattlesnake Jake is offline  
Reply
Old 05-28-2014 | 02:45 PM
  #7  
Dave M's Avatar
Thread Starter
Gold Member
Veteran: Navy
25 Year Member
Gold Member
 
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 5,664
Likes: 140
From: Hollywood, MD, USA
Default

Thanks for the info guys.
Dave M is offline  
Reply
Old 05-28-2014 | 02:49 PM
  #8  
Registered
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 4,554
Likes: 3
From: Fredericksburg, Va
Default

might get close that way but going to need pressure, by pump shown or block the trailer wheels and back the tow vehicle back a couple of times...
ezstriper is offline  
Reply
Old 05-28-2014 | 03:37 PM
  #9  
Dave M's Avatar
Thread Starter
Gold Member
Veteran: Navy
25 Year Member
Gold Member
 
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 5,664
Likes: 140
From: Hollywood, MD, USA
Default

Ahhhh..... I just remembered that I have one of these collecting dust in my attic. This should do the trick. I haven't used it since I got a motor with a drain hose attached to the pan.



[ATTACH=CONFIG]523921[/ATTACH]
Attached Thumbnails Gravity bleed trailer brakes-1xgr8_as01.jpg  
Dave M is offline  
Reply
Old 05-30-2014 | 11:36 AM
  #10  
Registered
 
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 390
Likes: 0
From: Perry Lake, KS Lake of Ozarks
Default

I like this kit from HF. http://www.harborfreight.com/brake-f...der-92924.html

The reservoir bottle is nice since you don't have to worry about sucking air or refilling.
I know there are ways to rig up stuff but this is too cheap and easy to grab and go!
ChargeIt is offline  
Reply


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service

Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.