I am going to change my front right calliper..I’m told I will only need to bleed that line if I use a brake pipe clamp,,my question is,,what will I do after releasing the clamp to get air out through the piston,and bleed screw,which will have a tube on into a bottle of fluid,,will it gravitate through,or will I have to start the engine and press the footpedal..thank you.

This has the potential to end badly.

From your questions I assume that your not familiar with the process of bleeding brakes. I would recommend that you get someone to show you how to do it correctly and safely. After all there's nothing like a bit of brake failure to help focus the mind 🤔

If you really want to push on and do it yourself then there are YouTube videos that will help show the process.

I’m familiar with brake bleeding,,but only done it years ago before abs pumps etc,,I don’t want to do anything to compromise the system,,I had the nearside calliper replaced last October by a garage,who charged me extortionate price,and noticed they can’t have bled the full system,hence I’m asking advice on how to do this single line..I’ve allways done my servicing etc.,but obviously when I can do things like bleeding brakes a simpler way than the obvious way of doing it,I look for advice to do it…there’s no you tube video on doing a single line.

17 hours ago, Terry call said:

but obviously when I can do things like bleeding brakes a simpler way than the obvious way of doing it,I look for advice to do it…there’s no you tube video on doing a single line.

Ah !!

OK, so to just do the one part of the line to the front calliper is quite simple. First loosen the brake fluid filler cap. Then unbolt the old calliper and push back the piston as far as you can. Next clamp the rubber hose to the calliper with hose clamp pliers (I use MoleGrips probably shouldn't).

Disconnect the rubber brake hose from the old calliper while you make sure to keep the pipe clamped. Then screw the brake hose on to the new calliper and fit the brake pads and bolt the new calliper on to the front hub.

Place an old tray under the brake calliper assembly ready to catch any brake fluid. For the next stage you will need two people. Slightly open the bleed valve on the new calliper (a quarter turn). One person in the car applies a constant pressure on the brake pedal trying to push it down. The other person releases the hose clamp pliers. The brake pedal will go down to the floor, hold it down do not let it back up. Re-apply the hose clamp pliers. Then slowly let the brake pedal back up. You need to keep repeating this process over and over again until brake fluid starts to come out of the bleed valve. When that happens, repeat the process a couple more times until just a pure stream of brake fluid is expelled from the bleed valve. Fully close the bleed valve. fully remove the hose clamp pliers and let the brake pedal back up. Job complete.

Very important: keep checking and topping up the brake fluid reservoir.

 

I was thinking that would be the way it was done,,,thank you for that confirmation,it saves me a lot of time bleeding full system…thanks

On 2/5/2025 at 9:28 PM, unofix said:

 (I use MoleGrips probably shouldn't).

Tut Tut... 😁😁

 

Bit of rag wrapped around the inside of the jaws will stop potential bruising of the hose.

You will probably find the fluid will be really dark if they haven't been bled for over a year or so, mine was a horrible black colour.... this will rouse your curiosity if the fluid is dark and maybe worth doing the other lines.

I believe it is supposed to be done every year, or was it every 2 years...

Brake fluid is recommended every 2 years.  I don't think many people keep up with that after the manufacturers warranty period.

2 hours ago, TomsFocus said:

Brake fluid is recommended every 2 years.  I don't think many people keep up with that after the manufacturers warranty period.

Very true, often overlooked.

Interestingly - my 2003 1.7 DTI astra estate failed mot last OCT on test, NSR brake pipe burst on the rolling road brake test.... sorted ok but when i bled that brake line it was shocking, black as night it was, so will be bleeding whole system this summer.

Caliper changed and brakes bled,,,thanks for advice

100 points for reporting back, as most never re post due to giving in and taking the car to the garage...😄