Brake bleeding is usually performed on hydraulic brakes. It aims to remove air bubbles from the brake lines – hoses and pipes containing brake fluid.
Brake bleeding is considered necessary because air bubbles trapped inside the brake fluid can reduce hydraulic pressure to a great extent. Reduced hydraulic pressure compels the brakes to become inefficient.
In the following write-up, you are going to find out if you must bleed the brakes after changing pads. It also provides other fascinating information. Please go through all of that right now.
Do you have to bleed brakes after changing pads?
Yes, you have to bleed the brakes after changing the brake pads. Doing so removes dirt and dust accumulated inside the braking system in a seamless manner.
When changing the pads, people generally open both the squeeze calipers and the bleeder valve. But, if you or the mechanic you hired managed to change the brake pads without touching the brake lines, it is not mandatory to bleed the brakes later.
Why bleed brakes after pads change?
You should bleed brakes after changing the brake pads because of the following reasons –
Oxidized fluid:
If you do not allow the brake lines to bleed after changing the brake pads, the older fluid will get inside the pipe and the pipe will soon rust. Oxidized fluid is not good for your brakes. It is best to drain the fluid as soon as possible.
Air bubbles in brake fluids:
After changing brake pads, air may enter the brake lines. The additional air in pipes will pave the way for air bubbles. Air bubbles are not right for the brake fluids. They make the pipes spongy and increase the stoppage time.
Getting rid of the curd:
Excessive air inside the brakes can form curd in the pipes. Curd will force the pipes to rust, and as a rider, you put yourself in danger.
Will brakes eventually bleed themselves after changing?
The brakes will not bleed themselves. If you do not expel the old fluid from the master cylinder, then there is a cent per cent chance that the liquid will stay there forever. If you want to clear the brake lines, you must manually clean the liquid.
Bleeding the brakes is necessary and you must do it if you feel your pads are becoming soft. You can hire a mechanic for the job. But the brakes will never bleed themselves.
Do mechanics bleed brakes when changing pads?
Having the brake pads changed by a mechanic can be something of a routine, especially if your car is banged up always.
A mechanic changes the brake pads after considering how the brakes are manufactured. Regardless of how the pads are changed, is it necessary for the mechanic to bleed brakes?
A mechanic does not have to bleed brakes after changing pads. This is because sometimes a mechanic replaces or changes pads without opening the brake lines or fluid reservoir. They only retract the caliper piston or pads, and the fluid is pushed back to the master cylinder. Doing so lessens the pressure that the mechanic has to deal with.
What can happen if you don’t bleed your brakes after changing pads?
What happens when air bubbles form inside the brake lines and you do not bleed your brake system? You would no longer have reactive brakes, and experience any of the two issues below –
- Long stopping distances
- Spongy brakes
Air stays in your brake system until you have bled the brakes. The caliper piston needs lots of hydraulic pressure to fasten the pads to the rotor.
Air bubbles decrease hydraulic pressure and impede your car’s performance. As a precaution, you would want to bleed the brakes after changing the pads.
When do you need to bleed brakes?
If you want to maintain the brakes, you need to know when it is appropriate to bleed the brakes. During normal automobile operation, you do not have to bleed the brakes. Below are a couple of situations that call for brake bleeding –
- The Brake Pads are Fully Worn Out
Fully worn out brake pads force the fluid level inside the master cylinder cap to drop. When the fluid level becomes excessively low, air enters the brake system.
- The Caliper Piston is Compressed
At times, when you are changing the brake pads, you have to open the bleeder valve and compress the caliper piston. This also allows air to enter brake lines.
- The Brake Components Require Replacement
Disconnected hydraulic parts inside the brake system force air bubbles to get into brake lines. The master cylinder cap seems like a great example.
- Brake Cylinder or Disc Caliper Require Replacement
If you want to replace the disc caliper or brake cylinder, you have to disconnect the brake lines. When this happens, air enters the brake lines in no time.
How can you bleed brakes after changing pads?
Bleeding brakes after changing pads is a fairly easy process. Just implement the below five steps as diligently as possible. If you are not confident enough, please schedule an appointment with the best mechanic in your locality.
Locate bleed valve:
Look out for the bleed valve or the nipple found on top of the brakes. Each brake caliper must have a nipple or bleed valve. It generally lies beneath the caliper. Please refer to the owner’s manual to know the exact location.
Open the valve:
You can open the valve without much hassle. You have to purchase a tool that can help you open it. A flat headed screwdriver works. Keep a catch pan ready where all the fluid will drop after you are done draining your brakes.
Prepare the new fluid:
Prepare the new brake fluid. You have to pour it inside your brakes post bleeding. The fluid should have substantial heat tolerance. Otherwise, the fluid will vaporize inside the brake lines, and create a complicated situation
Open the master cylinder cap:
Open the master cylinder cap and then remove the nipple or bleed valve present on the brakes. Now you can let gravity do its work. The position of the valve will allow the old fluid to get ejected. The simplest way to expel brake fluid is pressing the brake pedal. This inflicts pressure on the brake lines.
Refill new fluid:
After you have drained the old brake fluid, please refill the system with the new batch you prepared. Pour the fluid into the cylinder cap or the reservoir. Make sure the fluid reaches an optimal level.
Final Thoughts
Before bleeding the brakes, it is significant to find out how challenging the entire job will be. That way, you will be able to determine if you want to take things in your own hand or bring the car to a repair shop. If you want to bleed brakes by yourself, please refer to the information specified in this article.
