Date:         Mon, 26 Mar 2012 14:01:39 -0700
Reply-To:     Dug Smith <dug@DUGBERT.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Dug Smith <dug@DUGBERT.COM>
Subject:      Re: Brake bleeding problems
Comments: To: Bryan Feddish <uprightbassghost@HOTMAIL.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <BLU162-ds84E9FD6F188B49E78744BCE450@phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed

> OK. I did 2 rounds of the "yell at your wife" method of brake bleeding, Got
> allot of air out. The brakes feel like they do whenever I have gotten the
> van back from any of my mechanics in the past. That meaning the pedal goes
> down as far as it always has and a little pumping the brakes firms them
> up a bit. This my third master cylinder BTW and my brakes have always shown this
> behavior. They've always firmed up a bit when pumping. Maybe I'll try
> bleeding again this weekend. Also, the brakes don't feel "great" because I
> have new pads up front and need to wear them in a bit.

It sounds like you still have a little air trapped in there.

One of the silly little tricks we have with motorcycles is to zip tie
the brakes on overnight - air rises, and this allows it through the
master cylinder into the reservoir.  I've even completely bled brakes
doing this.  You could put something heavy on the brake pedal, like a
cinder block.  It doesn't hurt to tap the brake system from the slaves
cylinders to the hoses in case there are trapped bubbles on joints etc.

toodle pip,
--
        Dug Smith         | Terry Pratchett: It's almost
(mailto:dug@dugbert.com) | impossible to ride a rock and roll
(http://www.dugbert.com) | motorbike and stay on for three verses.