Changing Brake Fluid

[noone]

Hi,

I'd like to do this myself. I can get the mechanic to show me, or does anyone know of a guide or is someone able to explain how to do it in laymans terms?

[bfeboi]

get someone to help you

you'll need someone to pump the brake pedal and hold it so there is sufficient pressure to force the fluid out of the bleed nipple once you open it. when their foot goes to ground close the nipple and repeat while topping up at the same time. to keep it clean get a small hose over the nipple that runs into a random collection bottle. once all four brakes are done go for a drive to check if there sufficient pedal feel.

Do not let the person inside raise the pedal when nipple is open. that can draw air into the system.

me and a mate did my car in around 30mins. i was too lazy to jack the car up so we did it on the ground and i had to roll around for a bit.

[Blitzen]

This is how I manually bleed my brakes...

1: -Buy fresh, unopened DOT 4 fluid.

2: -Open the cap on the reservior, and with a large syringe, remove the old fluid.

3: -Fill the reservior with the new fluid.

4: -Get about a foot of clear plastic or rubber tube, and an empty clear bottle(like a Powerade or Coke bottle). Punch a hole in the cap of the bottle and feed the tube in until it touches the bottom. put about an inch of brake fluid in the bottle as to not allow air up the tube.

5: -Bleed from the caliper furthest away from the master cylinder. This is the rear left caliper. Or you can try what JMAC dose and bleed front to rear.
-Get the appropriate ring spanner that will fit the bleed nipple, and then put the plastic tubing on to the nipple.
-With a second person in the drivers seat, get them to pump the brake pedal 5 times to build pressure.
-On the 6th pump, get them to hold the pedal down as you crack the bleed nipple.
-Close the bleed nipple before he starts pumping again.
-Do this until you are happy that you have the new fluid bled through. It will be easier to see if you use a different coloured fluid when you are changing it. Also watch for bubbles in the brake line as you bleed.

6: -Repeat on the other 4 calipers, being sure to check the reservior regularly to top up the fluid that has bled through.

7: -Start the vehicle to get sufficiant vaccume in the brake booster, and feel for the correct pedal feel. If it feels spongy, this means there is air in the line, and will have to be bleed again.

[Jmac]

This is how I manually bleed my brakes...

1: -Buy fresh, unopened DOT 4 fluid.

2: -Open the cap on the reservior, and with a large syringe, remove the old fluid.

3: -Fill the reservior with the new fluid.

4: -Get about a foot of clear plastic or rubber tube, and an empty clear bottle(like a Powerade or Coke bottle). Punch a hole in the cap of the bottle and feed the tube in until it touches the bottom. put about an inch of brake fluid in the bottle as to not allow air up the tube.

5: -Bleed from the caliper furthest away from the master cylinder. This is the rear left caliper. Or you can try what JMAC dose and bleed front to rear.
-Get the appropriate ring spanner that will fit the bleed nipple, and then put the plastic tubing on to the nipple.
-With a second person in the drivers seat, get them to pump the brake pedal 5 times to build pressure.
-On the 6th pump, get them to hold the pedal down as you crack the bleed nipple.
-Close the bleed nipple before he starts pumping again.
-Do this until you are happy that you have the new fluid bled through. It will be easier to see if you use a different coloured fluid when you are changing it. Also watch for bubbles in the brake line as you bleed.

6: -Repeat on the other 4 calipers, being sure to check the reservior regularly to top up the fluid that has bled through.

7: -Start the vehicle to get sufficiant vaccume in the brake booster, and feel for the correct pedal feel. If it feels spongy, this means there is air in the line, and will have to be bleed again.

I only use the other method on the Polo only as it states that in the manual, with proven results, by as i mentioned here or somewhere else if you open the system up i would definately use this method.
To clarify 99% of all cars that i bleed its from the furthest away from the master to the master.
Cheers
Jmac

[noone]

Thanks Gents.

Got 2 bottles of the Martini on the way, have to befriend someone for this