bleeding brakes .......
Discussion
After owning for eight long months, the wedge is now nearing being driveable. Main problem now is getting pressure in the braking system. I changed the master cyl and have new calipers on the front and reconditioned the ones on the rears. Do I need a non-return valve to get the pressure up or is there any other trouble spots I need to look out for (brake union?) Any bleedin' advice appreciated .....
If you bleede them the usual way, somewone is pressing the pedal, someone else opening the valve, close, building up pressure again, bleed... there should be no problem. Did it this weekend. Do it in front and rear. Takes 0,5 to 1litre if you want to be shure. If the pads are worn one can press back the pads with some piece of wood between the disc and pad to minimize the brake fluid volume in the system. If you still have problem after a serious bleed attack, i suspect that you´ve bought yourself a bad piece of master cylinder...
Replaced my master cylinder last year and bleeding was NOT easy, sounds like you are having exactly the same problems as me. If you are on your own I really suggest you get a pressure bleed kit ie. one using pressure from the spare tyre amd plenty of brake fluid!. They are not expensive and are available from any good motor factor. I was not able to get mine to pressurise properly and bleed until I bought one. Took me about a hour with the kit connected.
Once connected make sure you bleed the furthest wheel away from the master cylinder first (probably only one bleed nipple for both rear calipers) finishing with the front offside nearest the caliper. Also make sure you have found all the nipples and bleed each one - my front calipers had 3 nipples each!
The other thing to check are the brass unions where they screw in to the master cylinder - check the faces where they actually touch the master cylinder receptacles - two of mine were cracked where they had been over tightened in the past.
With a pressure bleed kit and patience you should be OK - Good Luck!
Once connected make sure you bleed the furthest wheel away from the master cylinder first (probably only one bleed nipple for both rear calipers) finishing with the front offside nearest the caliper. Also make sure you have found all the nipples and bleed each one - my front calipers had 3 nipples each!
The other thing to check are the brass unions where they screw in to the master cylinder - check the faces where they actually touch the master cylinder receptacles - two of mine were cracked where they had been over tightened in the past.
With a pressure bleed kit and patience you should be OK - Good Luck!
Echo above
I always used clear pipe. If there are 2 of you, you can see the colour/muck/bubbles comming out. Slacken off, pump, tighten and repeat. Keep an eye on the master cylinder resevoir, don't want more air going in. Also braided hoses give a better feel (less pipe expansion although I am told it is more down to the construction of these pipes, not the braiding?)
Thats what I did, so if teaching to suck eggs etc ignore me.
Never used a pressure pipe but used a one way that worked on your own that seemed ok. Bit long winded though.
I always used clear pipe. If there are 2 of you, you can see the colour/muck/bubbles comming out. Slacken off, pump, tighten and repeat. Keep an eye on the master cylinder resevoir, don't want more air going in. Also braided hoses give a better feel (less pipe expansion although I am told it is more down to the construction of these pipes, not the braiding?)
Thats what I did, so if teaching to suck eggs etc ignore me.
Never used a pressure pipe but used a one way that worked on your own that seemed ok. Bit long winded though.
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