Phoenix v5 brake bleeder
- Thread starter Tucci
- Start date
- Thread starter
- #5
Phoenix v5
Still should have another person. Siphon master cylinder clean, v5 is calibrated and hand squeezed, as long as you don't get too rambunctious pushing fluid, the person watching will tell you when it's full, then you do the process until fluid is clear. Less chance of pulling air from master cyl. If you let it drain to far
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2t0e0Leu1-k
Don't know if site will work
Still should have another person. Siphon master cylinder clean, v5 is calibrated and hand squeezed, as long as you don't get too rambunctious pushing fluid, the person watching will tell you when it's full, then you do the process until fluid is clear. Less chance of pulling air from master cyl. If you let it drain to far
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2t0e0Leu1-k
Don't know if site will work
I am not a master mechanic, but I did it manually & it's not hard at all. I bought an inline check valve I put in the tubing right at the master cylinder to prevent air from being sucked back in & it works great.
Yes, the Freewheeler has linked brakes & my service manual has the simple procedure & sequence.
Just start in the front left, then front right. Those are the most forward bleed screws on the Freewheeler caliper.
The 2 aft bleed screws on the front calipers are for the rear master cylinder. Then you move to the rear wheels.
I have heard that if you have to do a complete flush, as with brake line replacement, that the systems that push fluid are very nice, but I have visions of brake fluid shooting up like a geyser eruption.
Yes, the Freewheeler has linked brakes & my service manual has the simple procedure & sequence.
Just start in the front left, then front right. Those are the most forward bleed screws on the Freewheeler caliper.
The 2 aft bleed screws on the front calipers are for the rear master cylinder. Then you move to the rear wheels.
I have heard that if you have to do a complete flush, as with brake line replacement, that the systems that push fluid are very nice, but I have visions of brake fluid shooting up like a geyser eruption.
- Thread starter
- #10
Reverse bleed system
Manual gives sequence to follow and amount to draw out, I'll do the vacuum way. I'm under warranty for three more years and though 'll get hit labor I'll let dealership do clutch at inspection (yearly in Pa). Manual wants clutch push rod movement measured etc. Brakes I've done lots of, hydraulic clutch s nadda. Man I miss cables
Manual gives sequence to follow and amount to draw out, I'll do the vacuum way. I'm under warranty for three more years and though 'll get hit labor I'll let dealership do clutch at inspection (yearly in Pa). Manual wants clutch push rod movement measured etc. Brakes I've done lots of, hydraulic clutch s nadda. Man I miss cables
The reason they are using that is because they replaced the brake lines. In normal maintenance, you are just replacing the fluid & would not have the bubbles.
The FMH guys have regular maintenance videos & they bleed/flush the fluid the old fashion way.
They also have a video covering the hydraulic clutch.
What year Freewheeler do you have?
- Thread starter
- #13
Reverse bleed system
15 fw, so I don't have to be concerned about abs. I just threw the question out there to see if anyone had done/tried the method. I have three automotive supply stores close by that loan out tools, brake bleeder included. I take everything I read on the"net" with a "shaker" of salt. The old adage - believe half of.... One site (not my story!) Said he lost rear brakes while running the big road in high temps, got them back when lines cooled,checked fluid and it was black.also said it took out his abs and even under warranty hd denied, said he didn't service system within two years.
15 fw, so I don't have to be concerned about abs. I just threw the question out there to see if anyone had done/tried the method. I have three automotive supply stores close by that loan out tools, brake bleeder included. I take everything I read on the"net" with a "shaker" of salt. The old adage - believe half of.... One site (not my story!) Said he lost rear brakes while running the big road in high temps, got them back when lines cooled,checked fluid and it was black.also said it took out his abs and even under warranty hd denied, said he didn't service system within two years.
They didn't add the ABS to our FWs till this year. After doing the brake fluid flush job a couple times, to me, it was so simple to do I didn't feel the need to even rent the bleeder.
The in-line check valve really eased my mind, as far as getting air in the system. I can use it on my autos also.
I enjoy the Fix My Hog videos. When I first got my trike, they really helped me get to know the HD maintenance procedures.
The in-line check valve really eased my mind, as far as getting air in the system. I can use it on my autos also.
I enjoy the Fix My Hog videos. When I first got my trike, they really helped me get to know the HD maintenance procedures.
Jack Klarich
Guest
I have used this method
I do not like it
Better to gravity bleed or vacuum ( pull ) bleed fluid IMO
I do not want dirty fluid pushing thru seals
Jack Klarich
Guest
Yes Joe
It is a good thing to do
With the heat from the exhaust running close to the actuator, you can bet it adds to the break down of the fluid
Even before the clutch recall by HD I had already done my 17 twice
My 15 Freewheeler got done twice before I traded up to the 17
Jack Klarich
Guest
Vacuum bleeding will be OK, before you start, wipe any residue out of the master cylinder
This will be a BIG plus for you
HD in its wisdom ( or lack there of) allowed these units to be installed with IMO WAY TOO MUCH assembly lube
That would be the crud in the bottom of the cylinder
Same holds true for brake cylinders
The more you can get wiped out before bleeding the less chance of bad Ju JU later
OOPS, I kinda of strayed
Keep your master cylinder full at all times during bleeding
- Thread starter
- #22
JK
Thanks, I wasn't sure of doing the clutch, one reason the manual -- 2-95, 11. Measure release plate movement, bearing and pushrod.... I did not want to get into the primary side. If all it is pull old fluid and not over filling master cyl. I'm good to go
Thanks, I wasn't sure of doing the clutch, one reason the manual -- 2-95, 11. Measure release plate movement, bearing and pushrod.... I did not want to get into the primary side. If all it is pull old fluid and not over filling master cyl. I'm good to go
As far as the clutch fluid flushing, you may have a problem getting the cover off to access the actuator. My manual for my 2017 FW says to loosen the exhaust, but if you just loosen the heat shields in that area, you can get the cover off.
Like Jack said, I start by using a syringe & sucking out the old fluid & wiping any residue out of the bottom of the reservoir.
Then I refill it & flush with clean fluid, DOT 4.
Watch the Fix My Hog Videos, they have 1 for flushing the clutch & the brakes. Also cover everything up, that DOT 4 will eat your paint.
Like Jack said, I start by using a syringe & sucking out the old fluid & wiping any residue out of the bottom of the reservoir.
Then I refill it & flush with clean fluid, DOT 4.
Watch the Fix My Hog Videos, they have 1 for flushing the clutch & the brakes. Also cover everything up, that DOT 4 will eat your paint.
- Thread starter
- #24
MDO
Just read your post, went out in garage to compare the 15 exhaust with an enlarged "image" on my tablet, of 17 fw. It looks like the exhaust configuration on the M8 is completely different. I can slide my fingers under the clutch cover on mine, and at 250 lbs I've got Italian sausage fingers --- Thanks to you and JK for the tips (never listed in an hd manual) about wiping the master cylinder. Never realized it was assembly lube!
Just checked manual, no mention of removing exhaust, only remove cover. Dodged bullet on this one
Just read your post, went out in garage to compare the 15 exhaust with an enlarged "image" on my tablet, of 17 fw. It looks like the exhaust configuration on the M8 is completely different. I can slide my fingers under the clutch cover on mine, and at 250 lbs I've got Italian sausage fingers --- Thanks to you and JK for the tips (never listed in an hd manual) about wiping the master cylinder. Never realized it was assembly lube!
Just checked manual, no mention of removing exhaust, only remove cover. Dodged bullet on this one
Old Road Dog
650+ Posts
The reverse bleeding procedure shown in the video confirms what Ive always suspected about this guy: Hes a friggin numbskull. You DO NOT push fluid from caliper to master cylinder.Thats asking for trouble.On my Dyna ( ABS) I bought new MC covers and modified the old ones by installing a nipple in the cover then used my Mity-Vac to push fluid from MC to caliper .Make sure MC is topped off at all times.Jims sells MC covers that allow you to reverse bleed but I think its a set.
Jack Klarich
Guest
- Thread starter
- #28
JK
Old Road Dog said he modified the mc covers. I was wondering if he drilled/taped zerks into them. I have in my collection several type brake bleeders, (hand pump vacuum, pneumatic vacuum, homemade gravity, etc).
Apparently i opened a pandora's box when i asked if anyone has "tried" reverse bleeding. Although I've gotten interesting responses. Almost like asking what's the best motor oil to use.
Old Road Dog said he modified the mc covers. I was wondering if he drilled/taped zerks into them. I have in my collection several type brake bleeders, (hand pump vacuum, pneumatic vacuum, homemade gravity, etc).
Apparently i opened a pandora's box when i asked if anyone has "tried" reverse bleeding. Although I've gotten interesting responses. Almost like asking what's the best motor oil to use.
Jack Klarich
Guest
I would like to see pictures of his covers
Not much meat on the covers to tap threads for longevity IMO Plus there would be no seat or shoulder for the fittings to seat?
Then again I have seen some pretty unusual things in my time
As far as a Pandora's Box, I say NAH, all good info in here
- Thread starter
- #30
JK
That's what i thought, but what works for one guy isn't right for everyone. I am even hesitant to put the fill bottle in the small mc to vacuum fluid out calipers, I have my wife add fluid as needed when using pneumatic vacuum, that way i can keep good seal on bleeder and close it off under vacuum.
That's what i thought, but what works for one guy isn't right for everyone. I am even hesitant to put the fill bottle in the small mc to vacuum fluid out calipers, I have my wife add fluid as needed when using pneumatic vacuum, that way i can keep good seal on bleeder and close it off under vacuum.
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