bleeding brakes.
Discussion
just been given a mk 4[i think] fiesta from my sister for free, which is a result.
but she told me the brakes are pretty spongy, so Im thinking of bleeding the brakes as, If im right, is the leading cause of spongy brakes.
but I dont know how to do this and dont really have the money to take it to a garage, plus I want to learn how to work on cars.
if anyone could tell me how to do this, and link to a site selling the necessary equipment to do this it could be mucho appreciated.
cheers.
but she told me the brakes are pretty spongy, so Im thinking of bleeding the brakes as, If im right, is the leading cause of spongy brakes.
but I dont know how to do this and dont really have the money to take it to a garage, plus I want to learn how to work on cars.
if anyone could tell me how to do this, and link to a site selling the necessary equipment to do this it could be mucho appreciated.
cheers.
Rubber tube on the bleed nipple into a jar of brake fluid to stop air being drawn bak. Start with rear brake furthest away from master cylinder and get a friend to pump until no bubbles appear or new fluid has run through (keep reservoir topped up!) and then with the pedal down, tighten the bleed nipple. Repeat with other three to nearest master cylinder.
Use a good quality brake bleed spanner as it's easy to round the buggers off.
Use a good quality brake bleed spanner as it's easy to round the buggers off.
Slink said:
brakes ... but I dont know how to do this and dont really have the money to take it to a garage, plus I want to learn how to work on cars.
I'd suggest that on something safety critical like brakes you're best off getting someone who knows what they are doing to give you a hand - else it might end in tears. Or death.Might not be the best job to cut your teeth on, so to speak. #JustSayin.
littlebasher said:
If they're spongy is it because air has got in though? Or is it because the fluid is donkeys years old and absorbed a lot of water.
I'd want to be checking over the system before i bled it, otherwise you could be wasting your time
well its an old car, so it could be both tbh.I'd want to be checking over the system before i bled it, otherwise you could be wasting your time
just what would you need to check over on the brakes? i recon the pads could do with changing but that wouldnt cause the spongyness would it?
and yeah I did think about getting someone to look it over as its a pretty critical component to stop you from dying, but Im trying to learn and you only learn by doing.
davepoth said:
I agree. If this is the first time you've wielded a spanner on a car in anger, it's really not a particularly good place to start. Take the car to a local garage and ask if you can watch them bleed the brakes. Usually they're quite happy for you to do that.
might have to do this actually, know what sort of price it would be?Slink said:
well its an old car, so it could be both tbh.
just what would you need to check over on the brakes? i recon the pads could do with changing but that wouldnt cause the spongyness would it?
and yeah I did think about getting someone to look it over as its a pretty critical component to stop you from dying, but Im trying to learn and you only learn by doing.
Pads won't cause spongy brakesjust what would you need to check over on the brakes? i recon the pads could do with changing but that wouldnt cause the spongyness would it?
and yeah I did think about getting someone to look it over as its a pretty critical component to stop you from dying, but Im trying to learn and you only learn by doing.
I'd start by looking at the rears TBH, assuming they're drums they tend to get forgotten. Weepy rear brake cylinders are a possibility.
mrmr96 said:
I'd suggest that on something safety critical like brakes you're best off getting someone who knows what they are doing to give you a hand - else it might end in tears. Or death.
Might not be the best job to cut your teeth on, so to speak. #JustSayin.
What he said. Not suggesting you aren't capable of doing it of course, just that it would be best to be taught properly before having a go.Might not be the best job to cut your teeth on, so to speak. #JustSayin.
Get an Eezibleed kit from Halfords, about £30 IIRC, youtube the video guide, Gunson have an official guide on there which I found handy.
Might as well change the fluid while you're at it, get a turkey baster from poundland and syphon out the old fluid from the resevoir, top up with fresh stuff, then bleed until the fluid runs clear and bubble free. Just remember to bleed each corner in the correct sequence.
Edit: Bleeding drums is the same as disks in most cases.
Might as well change the fluid while you're at it, get a turkey baster from poundland and syphon out the old fluid from the resevoir, top up with fresh stuff, then bleed until the fluid runs clear and bubble free. Just remember to bleed each corner in the correct sequence.
Edit: Bleeding drums is the same as disks in most cases.
Edited by nosittap on Friday 2nd November 12:49
littlebasher said:
Pads won't cause spongy brakes
I'd start by looking at the rears TBH, assuming they're drums they tend to get forgotten. Weepy rear brake cylinders are a possibility.
Weepy rear brake cylinders are an inevitability.I'd start by looking at the rears TBH, assuming they're drums they tend to get forgotten. Weepy rear brake cylinders are a possibility.
Personally, I'd get a good backstreet garage to do them and work the overtime at work. I'm not saying you can't do them, I did rear wheel cylinders on a MK3 Fezza as my first car job, they're just an absolutely f
king pig. 7mm (IIRC) bolts and lots of grime and rust. fk that. Garage will charge you pennies to do it.
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