Correct bleed nipple location - rears

Tor

Tor

Well-Known Member
While having my car MOT'ed today, the tester commented on the fact that the bleed nipple was located below the bridging pipe on the LHS rear caliper. He called it strange, as air rises and "you'd be hard pressed to get any air out" when it is located lower than the feed. A fellow P6 owner stopped by and agreed with the tester. The workshop manual, however, says it's correct. Is this why the rears are known to be hard to bleed? Can the feed and bleed nipple be swapped over without adverse braking effect?
 
The bleed nipple on the bottom is correct, as is the assumption that air rises, but TBH I've never had any problems whatsoever bleeding them, even when doing them on my own. I suppose you could swap the positions over, but if you think that it's difficult getting to the nipple now, wait until you try it with the brake pipe in the way.......
 
That could be why mine is a pain to get at, being on the top hole not the bottom one. :LOL: I would not think it would make too much difference. The rear slave cylinder is small.
 
If you actually think about the orientation of the caliper when it's on the car, and the path that the fluid takes, whichever way the pipe and nipple are fitted at some point the air has to be forced downwards, which is opposite to the way it really wants to go.
 
Hmm, I'll have to consider this then. Will have to go over the LHS caliper again at some point, as it's leaking. If the apertures are the same I might swap the two over.
 
Hello Tor,

I have my hose and bleed nipple running "about face"....bleed nipple at the top, hose at the bottom,..no problems. I will change them back to the "correct" orientation when the time arises, but until such time,..all is well.

Ron.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top