bleeding rear brakes with car on ramps

[daver clasper]

Hi folks

In the past, always done this with the wheels off, which gives good access to the nipples.

What's access like with car on ramps. Also do the valences clear typical ramps, without those extensions you can buy please.

Thinking of buying some ramps before changing brake fluid.

Any advice would be great.

Cheers, Dave

[Bitumen Boy]

Not something I've ever tried, but I would expect access to the bleed nipples to be difficult bordering on impossible with the wheels in place and the weight of the car on its springs - which is what you'd be looking at using drive-on ramps.

IIRC getting the car onto the ramps shouldn't need extensions, but to be honest I would save your money. I've always had access to a set - think my dad salvaged them after someone lost them on the M5 - but haven't found them of much use for Herald maintenance. A decent trolley jack and axle stands are much more useful.

[Bitumen Boy]

Plus, of course, getting a car with iffy or no brakes onto the ramps - always a surprisingly tricky manouvre - is going to be awkward verging on foolhardy. I wouldn't try it.

[Nick Jones]

Access to the nipples with the wheels on is very poor.  Easier to remove wheels!

Nick

[daver clasper]

Hi

Thanks for your replies. Will take the wheels off then, as usual.

Thought ramps could be useful for chassis/under body rust prevention work etc, as would also get more height, I think.

Cheers, Dave  

[daver clasper]

Hi

Thanks for your replies. Will take the wheels off then, as usual.

Thought ramps could be useful for chassis/under body rust prevention work etc, as would also get more height, I think.

Cheers, Dave  

[Bitumen Boy]

Quoted from daver clasper

Thought ramps could be useful for chassis/under body rust prevention work etc, as would also get more height, I think.

You might think that, but you'd be disappointed. Best access for such jobs - barring a 4 post lift or dry inspection pit - is gained by jacking up the rear end and supporting it on axle stands, then jacking up the front end and supporting that likewise.

[ferny]

Ramps are very useful. Even if it's just to get tge back a little higher to make tinkering with things in the boot a tad easier, exhaust changing etc.

[daver clasper]

Cheers chaps

Will get some as seems a quick way to raise it, for some jobs.

Dave