2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992) 1986-1992 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections.

Bleeding rear calipers

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 17, 2023 | 02:47 PM
  #1  
Cardinell's Avatar
Thread Starter
Rotatin'
 
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 383
Likes: 35
From: Virginia
Bleeding rear calipers

Let me start off by saying yes I know how to bleed brakes.


Now that that's out of the way, here is the issue I'm coming across. I have an S4 GTU, and am in the process of rebuilding the entire braking system. I have the calipers off the car, and have just rebuilt those. I noticed on my rear calipers, I have 2 bleeders. Everything I've ever worked on has 1 bleeder in the rear, and all the FC documentation i can find, even from Mazda, only mentions 1 bleeder.

Is this a T2 thing, since the S4 GTU's came with the T2 accessories? How do I go about bleeding this? Thank you in advance for any advice


Reply
Old Apr 17, 2023 | 03:39 PM
  #2  
Hot_Dog's Avatar
Rotary Freak
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,520
Likes: 231
From: Alexandria, VA
The top bleeder screw is used for bleeding the air out of the system, and the bottom bleeder screw is used for replacing the brake fluid.

From the 1986 Mazda FSM, page 11-11:
"Rear brake:
After brake fluid replacement:
Bleed air by using the upper bleeding screw.
Air bleeding procedure is done in the same manner
as air bleeding of the front brakes."
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2023 | 05:48 PM
  #3  
Cardinell's Avatar
Thread Starter
Rotatin'
 
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 383
Likes: 35
From: Virginia
Originally Posted by Hot_Dog
The top bleeder screw is used for bleeding the air out of the system, and the bottom bleeder screw is used for replacing the brake fluid.

From the 1986 Mazda FSM, page 11-11:
"Rear brake:
After brake fluid replacement:
Bleed air by using the upper bleeding screw.
Air bleeding procedure is done in the same manner
as air bleeding of the front brakes."
Gotcha. So in the above picture, "upper" is the one on the left, correct?
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2023 | 09:14 PM
  #4  
Hot_Dog's Avatar
Rotary Freak
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,520
Likes: 231
From: Alexandria, VA
Originally Posted by Cardinell
Gotcha. So in the above picture, "upper" is the one on the left, correct?
Correct
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2023 | 09:59 PM
  #5  
WondrousBread's Avatar
Rotary Freak
Tenured Member: 5 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 1,838
Likes: 597
From: Beeton, Ontario
I've always bled both. Not that I've ever noticed many bubbles coming out of the bottom one.
Reply
Old Apr 18, 2023 | 06:01 AM
  #6  
Turbonut's Avatar
Eats, Sleeps, Dreams Rotary
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,993
Likes: 68
From: NJ
It also states:
Rear brake
After dissembling the caliber:
Bleed air by using the lower bleed screw
Air bleeding procedure is done in the same manner
as air bleeding of the front brakes.


Last edited by Turbonut; Apr 18, 2023 at 06:04 AM.
Reply
Old Apr 18, 2023 | 06:28 AM
  #7  
Pete_89T2's Avatar
Rotorhead for life
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,195
Likes: 1,266
From: Elkton, MD
I always use my Motive pressure bleeder to bleed the brakes & replace all the fluid in the system with fresh fluid. When doing the T2, I use that bottom bleeder screw on the rear calipers first to purge out all the nasty old fluid in the caliper/lines, then close the bottom screw and bleed the air out of that rear caliper from the top bleeder screw.
Reply
Old Apr 18, 2023 | 09:28 AM
  #8  
Hot_Dog's Avatar
Rotary Freak
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,520
Likes: 231
From: Alexandria, VA
Originally Posted by Turbonut
It also states:
Rear brake
After dissembling the caliber:
Bleed air by using the lower bleed screw
Air bleeding procedure is done in the same manner
as air bleeding of the front brakes.
You're right. It does mention that too.
Kind of odd because air will always rise to the top.
Alternatively, my '89 FSM (electronic copy) mentions nothing about the two rear bleeder screws.
Reply
Old Apr 18, 2023 | 09:31 AM
  #9  
Hot_Dog's Avatar
Rotary Freak
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,520
Likes: 231
From: Alexandria, VA
Originally Posted by Pete_89T2
I always use my Motive pressure bleeder to bleed the brakes & replace all the fluid in the system with fresh fluid. When doing the T2, I use that bottom bleeder screw on the rear calipers first to purge out all the nasty old fluid in the caliper/lines, then close the bottom screw and bleed the air out of that rear caliper from the top bleeder screw.
That's the same way I've been doing it but with my Mityvac. Never had any issues.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
dbragg
2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992)
1
Apr 17, 2007 10:35 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:40 AM.