Harry Flatters Posted January 31, 2002 Share Posted January 31, 2002 Having just upgraded my front brakes and as a result the master cylinder drained dry, can some kind soul tell me what is the correct sequence to bleed/re-bleed the entire brake system to get back to a nice firm/hard (oooerr missus!) pedal? The car is d/d with std rear callipers and uprated fronts which have a bleed nipple on each side of the calliper. Steve Mell PTM 88 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Casbar Posted January 31, 2002 Share Posted January 31, 2002 The sequence is Longest run from master cyl first, shortest last. Even if you use a one man bleed kit, its good practice to finish the bleed on each wheel by holding the brake pedal down, close off the nipple, then allow pedal to rise on its own, before you move onto the next wheel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philwaters Posted January 31, 2002 Share Posted January 31, 2002 As no one is replying..... for a live axle... you start with either one of the front calipers and then do the other front, before moving to the rear... on the live you only have one bleed point at the back, whereas I guess you have two. It really helps to have a spare person to sit in the seat and pump the pedal while you watch for the bubbles to stop... oh and don't let all the fluid run out from the master cylinder!! Phil Waters 2000 Zetec is in, waiting to start it up wink.gif Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Casbar Posted January 31, 2002 Share Posted January 31, 2002 Phil, I've got a live axle, and have always bled the rear first, then moved to the front, ie longest run first, shortest last. So maybe my mechanical knowledge is flawed, and I've been doing it wrong. In reality either will work, as the rear is fed from a different part of the master cyl. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred Posted January 31, 2002 Share Posted January 31, 2002 well i have been doing it wrong to for thirty years to unless a caterham is difrent me and casbar both may be wrong ? fred Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Sewell Posted January 31, 2002 Share Posted January 31, 2002 Makes three of us doing it wrong... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allen Posted January 31, 2002 Share Posted January 31, 2002 Basic theory is bleed the longest run first. However, modern systems have the safety advantage of dual circuits brakes, which virtually means two seperate systems - so I guess it doesn't matter which is done first, front of rear - but do longest run first,i.e. n/s front calliper on a right hand drive model. Regards, allen PS, Steve, 6 inch exhaust now fitted - seems too quiet! The difference is dramatic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Walker Posted January 31, 2002 Share Posted January 31, 2002 Steve, Its worth knowing that if you fix the brake peddle when pushed fully forward the master cylinder won`t drain. I remove the peddle box top and tie wrap the brake peddle when fully depressed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry Flatters Posted January 31, 2002 Author Share Posted January 31, 2002 Gentlemen, I thank you for your advice. One last question, how much Dot 4 should I buy to do a complete bleed and can I reuse the stuff which comes out while bleeding. Allen, I'm glad the exhaust works well. Steve Mell PTM 88 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred Posted January 31, 2002 Share Posted January 31, 2002 dont use the old stuff we will all agree on this [ full of air ] fred Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philwaters Posted January 31, 2002 Share Posted January 31, 2002 Bugger!!! I'll have to re-read my manual before I fit my new brakes then.. I know I did the fronts first last time and they have been fine since, but it sounds like I am wrong on this one - sorry guys... [tail between legs] Thanks for highlighting this at least - I would have just done it the same as last time otherwise. Phil Waters 2000 Zetec is in, waiting to start it up wink.gif Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Sewell Posted February 1, 2002 Share Posted February 1, 2002 Steve, Brake fluid is not expensive. It should only require about 0.5litre but buy a full 1litre so you have some continguency. Also, buy the fluid from a shop that is likely to have a good turnover of stock so that the fluid is fresh (not stood at the back of the shelf for 2 years). When you are happy with the brakes - as in the job is finished - throw the remainder away. Even in a bottle, once the seal is broken, the fluid degrades by absorbing water from the atmosphere and will be dangerous in a matter of months. Your life is worth more than the couple of pounds saved by skimping on fluid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry Flatters Posted February 1, 2002 Author Share Posted February 1, 2002 Is all Dot 4 fluid the same or is there a particular one that I should go for or would something like Halfrauds own brand be ok? Steve Mell PTM 88 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Sewell Posted February 1, 2002 Share Posted February 1, 2002 I tend to use Castrol because I've always used Castrol (if you see what I mean). But I would imagine that any of the major names would be OK, and as for Halfrauds - it will probably be made by one of the big names (like their fully synthetic oil is made by Comma). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marius Posted February 1, 2002 Share Posted February 1, 2002 Saw lately a picture of some WRC teams doing some service on the Monte Carlo round, all using standard Castrol SRF cans. Can´t be too bad then. Marius Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanB Posted February 1, 2002 Share Posted February 1, 2002 but with Castrol SRF at £40 a litre, it's hardly an 'economy' option! Dan Furrybird Q660 KKL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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