'98 S70 Settle the brake bleeding sequence question

Post by **dosbricks** » 22 May 2014, 13:48

'98 S70, 222K: I just finished installing new rotors, pads, and rebuilt calipers and I have a Motive power bleeder to flush the system. After just doing a MVS search on brake bleeding, I find two approaches: farthest to nearest wheel, and nearest to farthest. Both proponents site credible sources. So I post this thread, not to start a debate, but to get the definitive answer.

In the past I have always flushed from farthest to nearest--was that wrong??? Confused but open to all expert advice.

dos

Post by **abscate** » 22 May 2014, 14:59

Starting in about 1967 (?) US cars were required to have split (redundant, redundant) brake systems where the hydraulics were isolated. I think most cars now are split front/back but some are split diagonal.

Farthest to nearest certainly makes sense in terms of preventing air from entering.

Klausc · Post by **Klausc** » 22 May 2014, 15:14

It really doesn't make a lot of difference as there is a brake line to each wheel. I would still go from farthest to nearest.

Post by **osman** » 22 May 2014, 18:07

Always heard farthest to nearest, never the opposite.

Post by **tryingbe** » 22 May 2014, 18:30

http://www.volvoclub.org.uk/tech/servic ... System.pdf

Post by **polskamafia mjl** » 22 May 2014, 19:55

Farthest to nearest; that's how I've always bled mine.

Post by **dosbricks** » 22 May 2014, 20:21

Thanks guys. It's good to know I've been doing it correctly all these years.

Post by **jimmy57** » 22 May 2014, 20:47

The only time order makes any difference is when the system is dry and you are bleeding it when it has a lot of air in a lot of places. Even then it is not of any consequence unless you are pumping pedal to bleed. In that case going to the longest line and getting the most air out first will make for less wasted master cylinder pump stroke from compressing air and not moving fluid through lines.

Flush bleeding a bled system just to get new fluid throughout is going to happen regardless of the order.