Brake fluid?

[Pete-B]

Hi,

I would appreciate it if someone could run through the best procedure for a numpty on how to drain and refill the brakes on my Roadsport.

Thanks in advance.

[Stationary M25 Traveller]

Start with the furthest from the MC = nearside rear. Bleed it until you see the change in colour in the fluid. Close that one, then offside rear, then the fronts. Keep topping up the fluid in the MC. You don't drain the system, but push the new fluid through to replace the old. If you have Big Brakes on the front, there are two nipples each side.

[Pete-B]

Thanks SM25, do I keep the tube immersed in fluid whilst pumping the old out and refilling?

[Stationary M25 Traveller]

Yes, unless you get a bleed system with a one-way valve in the tube. Doing it the old fashioned way with two people, close the bleed nipple while the brake pedal is held down. I use air pressure from an Ezi-Bleed system connected to a tyre valve, but don't fill their bottle with brake fluid (after a major spillage one time 😳)

[Pete-B]

Thanks again, so in essence, clear tube in fluid, open nipple, depress pedal, close nipple, release pedal and continue until clear fluid appears.

Your a champion mate

[Sheds Moderator]

If you are smart you don't need to immerse the drain tube. If you have an assistant you get them to push the pedal and you open and shut the bleed while the pedal is on the way down. Then when you have shut the nipple you tell them "UP!" and they repeat the process. The hose-in-fluid part is only necessary if they push the pedal to the floor and you risk sucking back up if the hose is not immersed.

[Pete-B]

Has anyone else used the Gunson Eeezibleed on their Caterham, if so how did you find it works and does one of the caps fit our master cylinder?

[Sheds Moderator]

Not on a Caterham but on other cars, I like it. AFAIK it's a pretty standard master cyl, one will fit.

[Stationary M25 Traveller]

Yes - but see my warning a few posts above !!

[Shaun_E]

I use an Eezibleed. Just drop the tyre pressure to about 10psi before using it otherwise it can blow past the cap. I always wrap the master cylinder in a large rag before starting. When you remove the Eezibleed, the master cylinder reservoir will be brim full - I use a large syringe to remove the excess fluid before putting the cap back on.

You can also buy a tube to fit on the bleed nipple which has a 1 way valve on it - I got one from Halfords.

[Jason E]

eactly what shaun said, eezibleed saves a lot of time

[LesG]

for the Eezibleed, have used it on all my Golfs, and very recently my Caterham. No probs at all.

[DJ.]

I've found Visibleed works well. It is basically a tube with a one way valve:

 

http://www.moss-europe.co.uk/Shop/ViewProducts.aspx?PlateIndexID=15176

 

They are very cheap, and can be reused if washed out with meths after use.

 

Duncan

[Sheds Moderator]

Who was it on here fitted NRV brake blleders and anded up making a right porridge of it?

[mav]

Boss, thought it was the nipples someone changed...

 

Easibleed every time round these parts, unless I happen to be in a well equipped garage with a vacuum bleed system. Very handy and certainly on a list of gifts at some point...

 

here

[Stationary M25 Traveller]

It was a local to us .... Fitted wrong thread on auto bleed nipples and made a mess. Would be ok with correct thread !