In a message dated 3/18/99 4:56:53 PM Pacific Standard Time, KENWILFY@AOL.COM writes: > 20. Bleed the brakes (have someone pump up the brakes and hold the pedal > down. Crack the brake bleed screw on the caliper and you will hear the air > and brake fluid squirting out. Have something to catch it in or you will > have a mess on your hands. Now with your friend still holding the pedal down > close the bleed screw. Repeat this process as many times as is needed to >remove all air from the system. Repeat on the opposite side caliper.) I often work alone, so I have a system for single handedly bleeding brakes, and it goes quicker and flushes the whole system. Get a big bottle of the best brake fluid, any old empty bottle, and a two foot length of hose that will slip snugly over the end of the bleeder. Put a 1/2 inch of brake fluid in the empty bottle. Put one end of the hose over the bleeder, and the other to the bottom of the container. Fill the fluid reservoir, and leave the cap loose enough to let air in quickly. Crack the bleeder open just enough so that the brake pedal can be pushed down quickly. Pump the brake pedal enough times to use all the fluid in the reservoir, but not so much that the master cylinder sucks any air. The fast pumping action will force all the air out of the brake line and the bleeder hose, and because the end is submerged in the bottle, no air can get back up the bleeder when you are done pumping, and let the pedal up. Close the bleeder, fill the reservoir, and on to the next wheel. The new fluid will better resist brake fade and corrosion, and will prolong the life of the hydraulic parts. Roger & Zoe Ann 87 Synchro Adventurewagen |
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