Solo Brake Bleeding Options

[EdwardBlume]

I have a spongy brake pedal that firms up upon pumping. No visible leaks, I think the brakes just need bleeding.

Any good how to descriptions, especially how I can do it by myself? What equipment is needed to fill fluid?

Thanks,
Rob

[andrewb]

I use a jack handle or a piece of wood and a piece of clear hose. No expensive kit, no assistant. (Probably no friends either (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) )

1. Get a piece of wood (say 2" x 2") about 18" long (or a jack handle) and position the drivers seat so that the distance from the brake pedal to the front of the seat base is slightly less than the length of the piece of wood.
2. Now slide the seat forward another couple of clicks so that when you wedge the wood between the seat base and the pedal it applies pressure to the pedal. Don't put the wood in place just yet.
3. Starting with the caliper furthest from the master cylinder, assuming you're doing all 4, undo the bleed nipple and make sure it turns freely - then nip it up gently. Put a ring spanner on the nipple and then the clear hose onto the nipple with the other end into a container.
4. Put one end of the piece of wood on the brake pedal and push it until the other end is wedged against the front of the seat.
5. Open the bleed nipple a fraction - it will spit some air out and maybe a bit of fluid. Quickly nip the nipple back up.
6. The piece of wood will no longer be tightly wedged because you've released the pressure that was holding the pedal up. Remove the wood, allowing the pedal to come back up, and then wedge the wood back in place as before. Repeat stage 5.

Each time more fluid and less air bubbles will appear in the clear hose. Once you have clear fluid and no bubbles give it 2 or 3 more cycles to be sure and then you're done. Tighten the nipple properly and then do the other 3 in order of decreasing distance from the master cylinder.
Don't forget to keep topping up the reservoir.
I've been doing it this way for over 30 years starting with a '67 Beetle and I'm still doing it on newish cars with ABS. Works every time.


Andrew