Removing rubber brake lines
 

Should I bleed the brake system system dry of fluid before removing/ replacing the rubber brake lines or just depress and hold the brake pedal down "with a stick"? I replaced standard bleed nipples with Speed bleeders using the brake pedal method; just wanted to be sure this approach would work when approaching the brake lines.

Holding the pedal down will work fine for the brake line replacement.

It will still make a mess, have everything ready to swap over the lines.

Just did this like 2 or 3 weeks ago for the first time.

Hold down half way (or best you can) with 2x4 on the brake pedal against another 2x4 along the front of the seat. I just did this and barley lost a few drops from each line. A LOT less than I was expecting. I have all this extra ATE blue now I never used.

I did a short pressure bleed on each before I started (recommended but not sure why). I found left over gold in the line/caliper, but which quickly drained to reveal the ATE blue that was already in the line. Then I propped the pedal down, then started the swap a wheel at a time. Then 3 bleeds - sat over nite, did one last one - used 1 liter can. I did not put fluid in the pressure bottle - I would de-pressurize and top off the res each time. You can do it.

on edit: BTW - I did not bleed the slave cyl, but I'd swear the pedal action is better.

I just replaced my complete brake system including calipers,master cylinder,front hard lines and stainless flex hoses all around and i survived the ordeal ... lol
In my case,the following did not apply ...

Like Pete says,depress the brake pedal down a few inches with a 2x4 and you will hardly lose anything !
All you have to do afterwards is open your bleeders and gravity bleed them and then have someone pump the brakes a few times for a final round of bleeding.

Phil

I have ATE Blue and Gold on the shelf. I switch colors every change. When the color changes at the bleeder, I know I be done....

Just swap the lines and then bleed. I like the two person bleed system. One a pumpin' the other a bleedin'.