Gravity bleeding after the master went dry

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Sep 24, 2018 | 01:41 PM

CR-Snow

Thread Starter

Senior Member

Joined: May 2015

Posts: 736

Likes: 5

From: Louisville KY

Year: 01

Model: Cherokee

Gravity bleeding after the master went dry

I accidentally let my master go what I’m assuming is completely dry. The reservoir was empty after replacing the main hard line to the rear. I never depressed the brake pedal at any point though if that makes any difference. I’ve refilled the system and bled all 4 corners with a hand vacuum bleeder. I’ve read plenty that the master needs to be bench bled if the reservoir goes dry or the system needs to be power bled, like pushing fluid in from the reservoir top. So couple of questions.

-my brakes are functioning but still feel soft, does this mean the master doesn’t have air in it?

-I’ve read a bit about gravity bleeding. Is this something I could do instead of power bleeding?

Any advice is welcome. Thanks folks.

Sep 24, 2018 | 01:44 PM

00t444e

CF Veteran

Joined: Nov 2015

Posts: 3,636

Likes: 469

From: Southern OH

Year: 1997

Model: Cherokee(XJ)

Engine: 4.0

I have had a master cylinder run dry before and I bled it at all 4 corners and it worked fine. You can try gravity bleeding it, I have done that a few times.

Sep 24, 2018 | 02:06 PM

EZEARL

CF Veteran

Joined: Aug 2009

Posts: 5,676

Likes: 301

From: WV

Year: '96

Model: Cherokee

Just finished replacing leaking lines on our '99 Ram 1500 after ~3yrs of sitting. M/C has been dry that long. Filled the m/c then bled all 4 corners in the proper order. Last of all I bled the m/c just as you would each corner. All is good.