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

[Martin Baker]

Here is the method I use, to bleed brakes alone, or with friends. Caliper up, force the air the way it wants to travel. They are a bit pricey, but worth it. It saves time as well.

http://www.brakebleeder.com/product-category/brake-bleeders/

[aircooledtechguy]

A great little tool that is normally available at FLAP is this kit by Lisle:

http://www.amazon.com/Lisle-19200-Brake-Bl...t/dp/B0009OMY9M

Keeps you from making a mess and allows you to bleed by yourself. You can use this in conjunction with a set of speed bleeders (one at each brake):

http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/ksearc....x=0&I1.y=0

For client cars, I use the Lisle one man bleeder in conjunction with a power bleeder and it makes quick work of bleeding but that may be a bit much for occasional use:

http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/ksearc...rchButtonGo.y=0

[Bartlett 914]

When I bleed brakes, I place the plastic tube moving vertical for some distance. It makes it easier to see bubbles. The brake fluid in the tube helps prevent air from going back into the system. I usually have help but I think this may work solo.

[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

[JeffBowlsby]

Speedbleeders, a length of clear tubing and a container for the effluent. That's all that's needed.

[Elliot Cannon]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)

[dlee6204]

Nothing special. I run clear tubing from the caliper directly to the master cylinder and just keep pumping.

[kupcar]

I've used a Mighty Vac pressure bleeder for years. It's simple and cheap. I think under $30.

[Jeffs9146]

I have used this for 20+ years!

[Cairo94507]

Hey Rob - If all you need is a body for assistance I can come over and lend a foot.
Michael

[EdwardBlume]

Hey Rob - If all you need is a body for assistance I can come over and lend a foot.
Michael

Thanks, much appreciated. I have a nice set of legs at home that can help me, but if I get denied I'll let you know.

[EdwardBlume]

Thanks for all the input guys! I'll see what I have and give it a go.

[Kansas 914]

Nothing special. I run clear tubing from the caliper directly to the master cylinder and just keep pumping.

I use a version of this but have four long lines. One from each caliper back to the fluid reservoir and pump until I have moved all new fluid to the calipers. Just eliminating bubbles helps but one should move at least 8 ounces through each caliper, or so I was told by a wise man.

[EdwardBlume]

How much brake fluid should I buy then? and what type of brake fluid is ideal? does it matter?

[r_towle]

How much brake fluid should I buy then? and what type of brake fluid is ideal? does it matter?

If you have never changed your brake fluid, it may be in your best interest to do it.

Couple of quarts will do it.
DOT4
Add red food coloring dye.

Pump till it comes out red on all four corners.
Start with the passenger rear, then drivers rear, then passenger front, then drivers front.

Next year use clear fluid, or use blue food coloring dye.

Speed bleeders and a hose into a bottle will save you relationship issues.
A pressure bleeder like Jeff posted will make the whole project a dream.

Rich

[smj]

I've used the Motive pressure bleeders for years. You can probably get a firmer pedal with good execution of the two person methods, but it was good enough when I was doing 20+ DE days in a season and lacked a helper..

With that setup, a liter was generally enough to flush a 944S - might need less with the 914. It was certainly enough for my /4 the other day.

And I would alternate between Ate Super Blue and Ate Gold (Typ 200) fluid for the kind of easy visual check Rich mentioned, but I think I heard/read somewhere that only gold/yellow fluid was legal now in the States... (Ah, in 2013 according to Hooniverse - though I see links for it from US retailers via Google Search)

I've still got the original 17mm master cylinder in the /4, and I'd describe the performance as: Meh. If bleeding doesn't help, check the MC and lines - and you probably already know that upgrading to the 19mm MC is very popular...

[yeahmag]

Love my Motiv...

[infraredcalvin]

Do not route old fluid back into resovoir, it defeats the purpose. Submerge the end of the hose in some fluid, that way when all the bubbles are out and the pedal is released it sucks back fluid vs air.

Start with furthest caliper from the MC and work your way back to closest. Donot let the resovoir go empty and suck air. If you've never done it before enlist a helper and expect to go through it a few times.

I've always had great luck with the motive bleeder mentioned by Jeff, well worth the $50.

[mgp4591]

If you don't find any air, you may have a binding pad or sticking caliper piston- it feels the same as air and reacts about the same with less that ideal braking, maybe even pulling to the opposite side as the offending unit. Good luck- reading through the other comments you should be able to fix your problem.