Bleeding Brakes

Enes · 11-30-2003

Well i've used a whole quart of the damn brake fluid trying to get the damn brakes not to be soo mushy.. but they are still super mushy... which means air in the lines...

i've been doing the .. pump pump pump... hold.. twist open.. twist close.. release..
pump pump pump...hold .... open.. close.. release...

but still the damn thing is mushy..

should i just open up all bleeder valves and let it all drain out. then fill new brake fluid in... and when it starts poring out the closest close it, then next one.. and so on..

what do you guys say?

-E

MATCHBX · 11-30-2003

Start with the caliper farthest from the master cylinder (passenger rear). Then do the driver's rear (that didn't come out right). Then go to the passenger front, and then the driver's front. Do each until there is no more air coming out. Just remember that each time you bleed one, you have to add fluid to the master cylinder.

Once you've bled all of them, start the car up and pump a few times. It should be good then. Just make sure that you don't let the fluid in the master cylinder run completely dry. Otherwise you have to start all over again from the beginning.

MustGoFaster · 11-30-2003

Pumping the pedal aerates the fluid, just open the bleeder and push it down.

MATCHBX · 11-30-2003

You are supposed to pump the brake to build up pressure before you open the bleeder. As long as the bleeder screw is not open, you will not aereate (sp?) the fluid. It is a closed system. If you are getting air into the system, you would have a leak somewhere. But then you would see it in a puddle. Unless it's leaking from the master cylinder into the brake booster.

A//// Guy · 11-30-2003

Pump it while the screw is closed till its hard and then push the pedal down as you open the screw...

Have someone help you.

Enes · 12-02-2003

i have long arms

i can do it all myself

**Goat Blower** · 12-02-2003

You don't need long arms. Just use a bottle half full of brake fluid and a foot long piece of vacuum tubing. Do the bleeding procedure but put one end of the vacuum tubing in the bottle, making sure the end is always submerged. Slide the other end over the bleeder nipple(heh) then open the bleeder with a wrench. Go push the brake pedal down five times or so til the master cylinder gets a little low but don't let it run out. I typically find that about 15 pumps on the rear brakes and 10 pumps on the front completely flushes the lines. Repeat around the car from farthest from the MC to closest.

Enes · 12-02-2003

yup did this yesterday.. however the lines are still mushy...

but it still breakes good either way.. it will do fine in winter don't want to lock them up too easily anyways..

MATCHBX · 12-02-2003

I wonder if the hoses are starting to go bad. They might be bulging when you press the pedal. If you are having premature wearing of the pads, this might be a symptom of bad hoses. The material inside starts to get soft and acts like an orifice in the hose. It allows fluid to go to the caliper, but restricts the flow back thru the hose.