caliper change - plugging brake line, to reduce loss/air in system/ease bleeding

jpaul

jpaul

jpaul

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Doing a caliper change, have only previously done bleeding/fluid change with a friend pressing brake pedal - now purchased an eezibleed.

Seems to be recommended to stop excessive fluid loss by plugging undone brake line - any preferred technique ?
- DIY with ear plugs (apple buds ?) , even bits of polythene folded over end with a tie around tube
- purchase some specific hydraulic plugs eg https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/314512770935
- ensuring there is a good vacuum on fill reservoir cap (piece of cling)
- keeping brake pedal half pressed (how ?) which will block additional fluid from reservoir getting introduced in system


I'll make a trial using eezibleed for a simple bleed first, to get familiar, before caliper change - any pitfalls in their use ?
 
jpaul said:
had already read that putting clamps on flexible brake lines may degrade their strength (especially if they are not new), so wasn't considering it ?
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I give up.
Dear Mr Putin, please nuke us now.

Seriously, it’ll be fine to use clamps (unless you’re on braided lines).
How do you think all the garages replace calipers etc?
Btw it isn’t with ear buds.
 
clamp like suggested or I just usually wrap a "finger" of a rubber glove with cable tie - braided lines on the car. Stops it dripping everywhere but you should be bleeding it properly to get the air out anyway so I wouldn't stress too much about fluid going, just stop it from making a mess.

bleed the system after and it's good.

fair play for learning something new, many people struggle to keep tyre pressures right never mind do basic work on their car. Youtube is full of info so quite easy to learn things like this.
 
Kenai said:
This is the sort of post that makes you feel really good about the fact people are allowed to DIY service safety critical elements of cars like the brakes :p
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At least he's asking before he starts.

I've never got on with the ezebleed kits, can't beat the two person method, tried and tested, no faffing about.

I don't think I even clamped the hose when I did a caliper swap (ages ago now), put a piece of pipe on the end, raised it as high as possible and let it drip into a canister. Has been a while since I did it so may be talking out my arse.
 
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I use a piece of wood between the seat and brake pedal to block the supply of fluid from the reservoir.

You can cut a bit of baton to rough size and move the seat forward, or make an adjustable one:

PXL-20230310-122604523-2.jpg


I previously used to clamp the hose, but on one of my cars after doing some work on the brakes I split a hose when doing an emergency stop to test the brakes.

The split was right where I'd clamped the hose.

Regarding people working on their own brakes, I do feel that Motors would benefit from a shady tree mechanic sub forum where people can discuss DIY mechanic work separately.
 
You are overthinking it. Mole grips will do, not uber tight, with a light rag in the teeth of the grips to not damage the line. It may still drip a bit but oh well. You will be bleeding it anyway so it doesn't matter how well you catch or spill fluid.
 
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grudas said:
clamp like suggested or I just usually wrap a "finger" of a rubber glove with cable tie -
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thanks good idea, just looking, too, at some brake fluid friendly epdm/silicone rubber tapered bungs that should fit internal tubing diameter 3.34-4.58 mm

bainbridge said:
I use a piece of wood between the seat and brake pedal to block the supply of fluid from the reservoir.
Click to expand...
good pic - thankyou - did that stop most of dripping ?
e: thinking of those adjustable ski poles
 
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bainbridge said:
I previously used to clamp the hose, but on one of my cars after doing some work on the brakes I split a hose when doing an emergency stop to test the brakes.

The split was right where I'd clamped the hose.
Click to expand...
If the hose split due to clamping, then the hose needed replacing anyway, either that or the clamp was way way too tight (they only need the lightest clamping pressure).
 
jpaul said:
Doing a caliper change, have only previously done bleeding/fluid change with a friend pressing brake pedal - now purchased an eezibleed.

Seems to be recommended to stop excessive fluid loss by plugging undone brake line - any preferred technique ?
- DIY with ear plugs (apple buds ?) , even bits of polythene folded over end with a tie around tube
- purchase some specific hydraulic plugs eg https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/314512770935
- ensuring there is a good vacuum on fill reservoir cap (piece of cling)
- keeping brake pedal half pressed (how ?) which will block additional fluid from reservoir getting introduced in system


I'll make a trial using eezibleed for a simple bleed first, to get familiar, before caliper change - any pitfalls in their use ?
Click to expand...

Apple buds? Really? :cry:

bainbridge said:
shady tree mechanic
Click to expand...

A what now?
 
JonRGV250 said:
If the hose split due to clamping, then the hose needed replacing anyway, either that or the clamp was way way too tight (they only need the lightest clamping pressure).
Click to expand...

Ok, you have a "this is the way it's done" way to doing brakes, and tbh by the sounds of it you're unlikely to adapt your approach based on the job in front of you.
 
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