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Removing brake calipers, should I bleed brakes?

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Pondrew
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Removing brake calipers, should I bleed brakes?

Post by Pondrew » Wed Jan 27, 2021 7:28 pm

Hi, me again with another question (I know it's a bit like "mechanics 101" :D )

I am taking off my brake calipers to clean them up and paint them. I won't be replacing pads yet, but just wondered if I should bleed the brakes when I put them back?

I can't see any reason to but then I'm no mechanic!!
All good things come to those who wait. I'm really impatient which explains a lot.

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jabber
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Removing brake calipers, should I bleed brakes?

Post by jabber » Wed Jan 27, 2021 7:48 pm

As long as you aren’t taking the brake hose off there is no need too
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enuff_zed
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Removing brake calipers, should I bleed brakes?

Post by enuff_zed » Thu Jan 28, 2021 8:58 am

jabber wrote: Wed Jan 27, 2021 7:48 pm As long as you aren’t taking the brake hose off there is no need too
As in, unbolting the calliper but leaving it hanging with the hose still connected.

But if you disconnect the hose from the calliper then yes, you do need to bleed it afterwards.
Be aware that fluid will drain out of both the hose and the calliper. You need to blank both ends and can also put cling-film under the reservoir cap which will create a vacuum and minimise drain down from the hose.
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Removing brake calipers, should I bleed brakes?

Post by Rockhopper » Thu Jan 28, 2021 10:07 am

As said try and cap the flexi some how to stop the fluid draining out. Hose clamps are good but i wouldn't use them long term or you risk damaging the hose.

Pondrew
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Removing brake calipers, should I bleed brakes?

Post by Pondrew » Thu Jan 28, 2021 11:25 am

Thanks.
I am cleaning and painting them in situ, I just have to use a very small brush. The wife is going to struggle to put her make-up on as I've nicked all her brushes. :D
All good things come to those who wait. I'm really impatient which explains a lot.

F31 320i. Good car.
E89 20i Now fully dried
Z3 'free litre'. Project and a half. Complicated!
Mazda3 sold
Tatty old R56 Mini Cooper. Money pit!

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Removing brake calipers, should I bleed brakes?

Post by Rockhopper » Thu Jan 28, 2021 12:40 pm

Don't let the calipers hang on the flexi's tie them up with a bungy cord or similar.

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Removing brake calipers, should I bleed brakes?

Post by enuff_zed » Thu Jan 28, 2021 12:45 pm

Rockhopper wrote: Thu Jan 28, 2021 12:40 pm Don't let the calipers hang on the flexi's tie them up with a bungy cord or similar.
But if they are hanging loose in the wheel arch then it is almost easier to leave them bolted on as they won't move around when you try to apply the paint.
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mr.tourette
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Removing brake calipers, should I bleed brakes?

Post by mr.tourette » Thu Jan 28, 2021 12:49 pm

enuff_zed wrote: Thu Jan 28, 2021 12:45 pm
Rockhopper wrote: Thu Jan 28, 2021 12:40 pm Don't let the calipers hang on the flexi's tie them up with a bungy cord or similar.
But if they are hanging loose in the wheel arch then it is almost easier to leave them bolted on as they won't move around when you try to apply the paint.
Probably needs to remove them to paint the hub properly 👍
if its got tits or tyres..its trouble :D

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enuff_zed
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Removing brake calipers, should I bleed brakes?

Post by enuff_zed » Thu Jan 28, 2021 12:58 pm

mr.tourette wrote: Thu Jan 28, 2021 12:49 pm
enuff_zed wrote: Thu Jan 28, 2021 12:45 pm
Rockhopper wrote: Thu Jan 28, 2021 12:40 pm Don't let the calipers hang on the flexi's tie them up with a bungy cord or similar.
But if they are hanging loose in the wheel arch then it is almost easier to leave them bolted on as they won't move around when you try to apply the paint.
Probably needs to remove them to paint the hub properly 👍
Did mine in situ and just stuck a bolt back in the hub so I could turn it to reach it all.
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Removing brake calipers, should I bleed brakes?

Post by Smartbear » Thu Jan 28, 2021 1:54 pm

enuff_zed wrote: Thu Jan 28, 2021 12:58 pm
mr.tourette wrote: Thu Jan 28, 2021 12:49 pm
enuff_zed wrote: Thu Jan 28, 2021 12:45 pm

But if they are hanging loose in the wheel arch then it is almost easier to leave them bolted on as they won't move around when you try to apply the paint.
Probably needs to remove them to paint the hub properly 👍
Did mine in situ and just stuck a bolt back in the hub so I could turn it to reach it all.
A bolt in time saves nine :?
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mr.tourette
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Removing brake calipers, should I bleed brakes?

Post by mr.tourette » Thu Jan 28, 2021 2:36 pm

enuff_zed wrote: Thu Jan 28, 2021 12:58 pm
mr.tourette wrote: Thu Jan 28, 2021 12:49 pm
enuff_zed wrote: Thu Jan 28, 2021 12:45 pm

But if they are hanging loose in the wheel arch then it is almost easier to leave them bolted on as they won't move around when you try to apply the paint.
Probably needs to remove them to paint the hub properly 👍
Did mine in situ and just stuck a bolt back in the hub so I could turn it to reach it all.
Was your handbrake not on when jacked up? Obviously not such an issue rotating the front but I assumed for the rears whipping the calipers off would be easier?
if its got tits or tyres..its trouble :D

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enuff_zed
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Removing brake calipers, should I bleed brakes?

Post by enuff_zed » Thu Jan 28, 2021 2:41 pm

mr.tourette wrote: Thu Jan 28, 2021 2:36 pm
enuff_zed wrote: Thu Jan 28, 2021 12:58 pm
mr.tourette wrote: Thu Jan 28, 2021 12:49 pm

Probably needs to remove them to paint the hub properly 👍
Did mine in situ and just stuck a bolt back in the hub so I could turn it to reach it all.
Was your handbrake not on when jacked up? Obviously not such an issue rotating the front but I assumed for the rears whipping the calipers off would be easier?
Nope.
I did one side at a time in my garage and turned the car round to have enough room to do the other side.
Handbrake off and opposite side wheels chocked.
Of course, with the fronts you can also turn the steering to give better access.
I managed to get my head inside the wheel arch to see what I was doing.
First attempt was a disaster, but after my eye stopped watering, I found a paintbrush with a shorter handle and it all went well. :roll:
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mr.tourette
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Removing brake calipers, should I bleed brakes?

Post by mr.tourette » Thu Jan 28, 2021 2:44 pm

Good to know :thumbsup: I'll be doing mine soon and had wondered if I would get away with chocking it to save removing the caliper :thumbsup:
if its got tits or tyres..its trouble :D

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