Changing brake fluid.....

[jj]

Got a couple of jobs to do on Philthys car tonight, one being remove driver side hub to take and get bearing changed, and the other being to change the brake fluid.

We will be doing it the "one person in car" way. Any tips / tricks / folk about to help

JJ

[thinfourth]

Top tip is don't run out of brake fluid

Also get a nice sucky thing such as a syringe to remove as much as posible from the resviour first before you start

[philthy]

could do with a 3rd hand to top up the fluid and I dont trust my gf

[Shug]

Don't need a 3rd hand - just be careful the first 4 or 5 pumps of the pedal and get a feel for how quickly it flows through the system. Take your time, be methodical and don't rush at it, it's very simple if you do.

[jj]

Had a search and found this very clear guide from Robin so it sounds like it should be easy.....

I still think the best way to bleed brakes is the old way, but you can do it with an easibleed by yourself. If you have a willing volunteer then you can pump most of the fluid out of the front caliper first, then bleed out each corner in turn. There is no right/wrong order to do it in.

Simply put, you top off the reservoir with clean fluid.

Loosen the bleed nipple (11mm spanner or six sided socket to loosen it), then slip a rubber pipe over the nipple - should be a tight fit - clear pipe is best. Other end of pipe in either a milk bottle or some other container. Open the bleed nipple about 1/4 of a turn. Shout "down". Your volunteer should now depress brake pedal to the floor. If you have a servo, you might want the engine ticking over as it makes it easier to move the pedal. Ideally to start with they respond "down" to let you know they've done it. You will see a squirt of fluid coming through the pipe. To start with it will be murky, but when the clear fluid comes through it will be clean. Now you tighten the bleed nipple (only needs to turn until it stops - you don't need it tight) and shout "up". They release pedal and hopefully reply "up".

Repeat that until all the fluid coming out of the first corner is clear. Every 10-20 pumps top off the reservoir with clean fluid. When you're done with the first corner, tighten the bleed nipple with a 11mm spanner or a small 1/4" ratchet - do not go overboard. Wipe clean and before you stick the dust cover back on the nipple get the volunteer to press the pedal hard - look for weeping around the nipple - if there is any, you need to tighten a bit more.

Now repeat that at each corner, never forgetting to keep topping off the reservoir before it get's half full.

You can do the fronts through the spokes of the wheels, but the backs need the wheels off on a K-series variant anyway, and I would guess likewise for 111R. TBH it's as easy to remove wheels front and back, so jack and bleed one side, then the other.

With an easibleed, the process is different. Deflate a tyre to about 15psi then hook up the remote reservoir (dry to start with) to the fluid reservoir. Then attach the airline to the tyre. Make sure it's all airtight and no air is escaping anywhere. Assuming all is OK, remove the airline, open the remote reservoir, fill with clean fluid, reattach to the tyre.

Now you do much the same at each wheel as before, except (a) you need to make sure the remote reservoir doesn't drain, (b) make sure the tyre pressure stays reasonable, so maybe pump up with a foot pump now and then and (c) you don't need to operate the pedal - open the bleed nipple and the fluid should gush out.

For brake fluid I recommend any of the super DOT 4 or the DOT 5.1. DO NOT USE DOT 5 - it's different, won't work and eats small mammals.

[dezzy]

JJ, I've got an easibleed you can borrow if you like. I can't make it over to help out, but you're welcome to pop over and borrow it. Should be home around 6ish. Call me on <snip> if you want to borrow it.

D

[Victor Meldrew]

Just watch when your using the pumping method, if you have any wear on the piston you can damage the seal by moving the pedal full travel. Easybleed is far safer option.

[hiscot]

use an easy blead and do the clutch at the same time just watch the fluid as it drains quicker ( with easy b ) than you will expect

[rossl]

could do with a 3rd hand to top up the fluid and I dont trust my gf

Im around later, will stop by....JJ and Jon will testify to how useful i am at fixing stuff on my own car, therefore we should have the brake fluid changed and full of air by about 9pm.

[Dominic]

Only just spotted this thread. All done okay?

[meatball]

Free tue nyt if ur really strugglin.......will need transport though......car-less!

[philthy]

anyone know how to get air out when its sucked in by the resevoir?!

[woody]

anyone know how to get air out when its sucked in by the resevoir?!

Keep pumping! (the pedal )

[meatball]

anyone know how to get air out when its sucked in by the resevoir?!

Keep pumping! (the pedal )

......after reservoir is refilled.......and kept filled!

[woody]

anyone know how to get air out when its sucked in by the resevoir?!

Keep pumping! (the pedal )

......after reservoir is refilled.......and kept filled!

yeah, that as well.