Please help me with this newbie question. I was reading Randy's "brake bleed how-to" and he mentioned "Jack the car up and use the stands to make the car relatively level", which means all 4 corners has to be jacked up. What's the purpose of that and is it necessary?

Thanks
Andrew

 

I didn't jack mine up, but I would recommend getting a power bleeding system. It will make things much easier. There are a bunch of places you can pick one up for around $50 I think. Or hit up the local guys who do their own wrench work (what I did) I am sure someone will have one.

 

It is best to keep the car level... but its not critical... Make sure you keep the master cyl full so you don't get air in the system and require a bench bleed.
A power bleeder is best... If you do it by pumping the pedal, you run the risk of ripping the boot as the pedal gets over extended when it hits the floor. Power bleeders are faster and less wear and tear on the systems..

 

Ripping the boot? Are you serious? Is this is a MINI specific problem?

 

No... when you push the pedal to the floor.. its not the normal length of travel. There is a boot in the master cyl that gets over-stretched in some instances... The boot can tear.. especially with age... The safe way is to either draw fluid out with a vacuum pump or best to pressurize the system...
I do all my cars by pressurizing the master cyl... Its also a good idea to flutter the ABS valves occasionally... You can do this on a gravel or sandy road... allows the fluid to circulate past the valves.

 

The reason for the level surface is to assure the bleeder nipples remain at the top of the caliper. If jacked up too high air can become trapped in the crown of the piston as the nipple is over center.

'Least that's the reason on multi piston calipers.

 

Thanks all for the useful advices.