Date:         Thu, 18 Mar 1999 21:58:24 EST
Reply-To:     Vantaztik@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Roger&Zoe Ann Banker <Vantaztik@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Re: 1 man brake bleeding
Comments: To: KENWILFY@aol.com
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII

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