Is there a way to swap brake calipers and minimize fluid leaking

[Kevin]

I heard you can use a stick to keep the pedal pressed down to prevent leaking as you do the swap, is that true? I would think it would cause pressure and make more fluid come out. Thoughts ?

Topic

[Zac Aleksovski]

I have clamps I got from either Snap-On or Mac that I clamp on the brake flex hose to pinch it off. I’ve seen Eric use small needle nose vise grips with rubber hoses on the jaws for the same purpose.

[college man]

[quote=”NA” post=192953]I heard you can use a stick to keep the pedal pressed down to prevent leaking as you do the swap, is that true? I would think it would cause pressure and make more fluid come out. Thoughts ?[/quote]

Its not a myth. You will lose the fluid in the line but fluid will not continue to drain from the master cylinder.

[Dave]

Pushing the pedal with the stick is a good way.

The master cylinder plunger sits near the open port at the top going to the reservoir. When you even push approximately a quarter inch or so the plunger moves past the reservoir port and seals off the reservoir port in order to build pressure.
When you open the hose or bleeder you get a little spurt and that’s typically all because there is no further movement of the master cylinder.
It is best to push hard enough with the stick so it maintains tension or else it might fall off the pedal when you open the line.
Try it don’t be afraid.

Some techs use tire valve stems and push them into the bore of the flex hose to stop fluid leakage.

Otherwise you need to have the old caliper unbolted but hose connected until you install the new one and then transfer the hose.
But with this method you need to keep the time to an absolute minimum about 2-3 minutes or so then top up your master cylinder quickly.

[Will]

[quote=”Dtech494″ post=193278]Pushing the pedal with the stick is a good way.

The master cylinder plunger sits near the open port at the top going to the reservoir. When you even push approximately a quarter inch or so the plunger moves past the reservoir port and seals off the reservoir port in order to build pressure.
When you open the hose or bleeder you get a little spurt and that’s typically all because there is no further movement of the master cylinder.
It is best to push hard enough with the stick so it maintains tension or else it might fall off the pedal when you open the line.
Try it don’t be afraid.

Some techs use tire valve stems and push them into the bore of the flex hose to stop fluid leakage.

Otherwise you need to have the old caliper unbolted but hose connected until you install the new one and then transfer the hose.
But with this method you need to keep the time to an absolute minimum about 2-3 minutes or so then top up your master cylinder quickly.
[/quote]

I second what Dtech wrote.

Sometimes I’ll have a vacuum cap assortment on standby to slip over the end of a hard line to minimize leakage and mess. I generally try to avoid clamping soft brake lines whenever possible as it can stress out the lining inside the hose.

[Author]

Replies