# Bleed new caliper,1997 Grand Caravan **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** dodge, grandcaravan\ **Created:** [August 18, 2013, 11:16pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/bleed-new-caliper-1997-grand-caravan/80966 "2013-08-18T23:16:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![LeRoy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e0b2c6/32.png) [@LeRoy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/LeRoy)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2013, 11:16pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/bleed-new-caliper-1997-grand-caravan/80966/1 "2013-08-18T23:16:42Z")
I installed a new caliper on my 1997 Grand Caravan. Then I tried to bleed the brake line. There appears to be no bleeder valve but only a single screw with a hole in the end. There appears to be no valve to bleed the air. How do I bleed the air out of the caliper? ---
**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2013, 11:23pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/bleed-new-caliper-1997-grand-caravan/80966/2 "2013-08-18T23:23:34Z")
@LeRoy That “single screw with a hole in the end” is the bleeder ---
**Author:** ![asemaster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@asemaster](https://community.cartalk.com/u/asemaster)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2013, 2:54am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/bleed-new-caliper-1997-grand-caravan/80966/3 "2013-08-19T02:54:20Z")
??? You are describing the bleeder screw. I don’t mean to offend anyone here, but brakes are the most vital safety component on a car, for you and for anyone on the road around you. If you don’t understand how to properly repair your brakes please don’t attempt to do it yourself. ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2013, 3:16am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/bleed-new-caliper-1997-grand-caravan/80966/4 "2013-08-19T03:16:32Z")
Gotta agree with the above. Just installed new pads and rotors and exchanged brake fluid. My back is sore. Bleeding is a two person job without bleeding equipment. Attach a plastic tube to the bleeder screw with the other end in a bottle with brake fluid in. Open the bleeder while the other person pushes down on the pedal and holds. Close bleeder valve, then brake pedal is released. Repeat a couple dozen times until no air bubbles come through the hose making sure to keep the resevoir filled. A repair manual is a handy thing to have. ---
**Author:** ![LeRoy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e0b2c6/32.png) [@LeRoy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/LeRoy)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2013, 10:16pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/bleed-new-caliper-1997-grand-caravan/80966/5 "2013-08-19T22:16:12Z")
@db4690, @asemaster, @Bing Thanks for the help. I never understood how that was a valve since it looks like it would unscrew the whole thing. I am going to have to take it all apart sometime and see how it works! I don’t have to completely understand brakes, I have the world’s finest experts to consult! My wife is my assistant, has been assisting for years! The brakes work fine! ---
**Author:** ![LeRoy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e0b2c6/32.png) [@LeRoy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/LeRoy)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2013, 12:34am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/bleed-new-caliper-1997-grand-caravan/80966/6 "2013-08-21T00:34:59Z")
Maybe not that fine! I replaced shoes on both front discs. I replaced the left front caliper. The brakes work perfectly but the left rim is hotter than the right rim! What should I do to correct it or will it cool down when it breaks in? ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2013, 12:37am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/bleed-new-caliper-1997-grand-caravan/80966/7 "2013-08-21T00:37:52Z")
> The brakes work perfectly but the left rim is hotter than the right rim! If one rim is hotter…it’s usually a sign that the caliper on that wheel is sticking. ---
**Author:** ![JoeMario](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/3bc359/32.png) [@JoeMario](https://community.cartalk.com/u/JoeMario)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2013, 3:23am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/bleed-new-caliper-1997-grand-caravan/80966/8 "2013-08-21T03:23:17Z")
It could also be a sign that the rubber flexible brake hose leading to the caliper has collapsed internally. For a car that’s 16+ years old, I’d definitely replace both front brake hoses. ---
**Author:** ![LeRoy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e0b2c6/32.png) [@LeRoy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/LeRoy)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2013, 3:53am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/bleed-new-caliper-1997-grand-caravan/80966/9 "2013-08-21T03:53:23Z")
@MikelnNH The left caliper is the one I replaced last weekend, probably not sticking. I thought the one I replaced was sticking since that lining had more wear. @JoeMario I never heard of that. I am just a weekend mechanic but wouldn’t that restrict the flow and lower the movement of the lining? I will replace the hoses. ---
**Author:** ![JoeMario](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/3bc359/32.png) [@JoeMario](https://community.cartalk.com/u/JoeMario)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2013, 4:22am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/bleed-new-caliper-1997-grand-caravan/80966/10 "2013-08-21T04:22:59Z")
As those rubber brake lines age, their inner walls can collapse. When they do, they will often behave like a reed valve - allowing fluid movement only one way (to the caliper) and not in reverse (where a very small movement is needed to ease off the pressure on the caliper & pads). I’ve had to replace many, as have others on this board. You can find lots more info on it by doing a search for “collapsed flexible brake hose”. ---
**Author:** ![LeRoy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e0b2c6/32.png) [@LeRoy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/LeRoy)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2013, 9:37pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/bleed-new-caliper-1997-grand-caravan/80966/11 "2013-09-02T21:37:36Z")
@JoeMario I replaced the left front flexible brake hose and all is well! Thanks to everybody for all the help!