Brake Question..
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AudiWorld Senior Member
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Brake Question..
I just ordered my Zimmerman x-drills and Mintex pads.
Is it a big deal to do the braided lines? I am assuming that I will need to bleed the brakes, right. Has anyone done at home or is it a shop job?
Is it a big deal to do the braided lines? I am assuming that I will need to bleed the brakes, right. Has anyone done at home or is it a shop job?
AudiWorld Super User
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 9,996
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From: Miami
Bleeding...
...is not that hard. If you don't have one of those nifty vacuum bleeder things, then you'll need a buddy. You can do it at home easily, but yes it would be necessary if you replaced the lines. Good luck..
Andy
Andy
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2000
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I did it this just weekend.
I didn't feel any improvements over the OEM line. The hard part was the removing the old brake lines. Some of them are rust and won't let go. In addition, you have to crawl under the car to get to the lines for the rear. But all these could be done at home. Make sure you bleed if you change the lines to get rid of the air.
Bleed the brakes was the easiest part for me. I have the Power Bleeder that German Auto Parts sells. Pour new brake fluid in that bleeder and put some pressure in it. When you bleed at your calipers, the power bleeder will move your new brake fluid into the reservoir by itself. All you have to do is sit there and watch the brake fluid flow.
Let me know if you have any questions. I am in a hurry to finish typing this.
Bleed the brakes was the easiest part for me. I have the Power Bleeder that German Auto Parts sells. Pour new brake fluid in that bleeder and put some pressure in it. When you bleed at your calipers, the power bleeder will move your new brake fluid into the reservoir by itself. All you have to do is sit there and watch the brake fluid flow.
Let me know if you have any questions. I am in a hurry to finish typing this.
Former Vendor
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: San Diego, CA
Pumping brake method is bad
I've previously used the two person pump brake method, however this I've come to realize is not a good approach. I've had a master cylinder go out, and my buddy who helps me has had to replace two of his. Both of our replacements have come after bleeding our brakes using the two person approach. I'd recommend a pressure bleeder. Motive makes a relatively simple bleeder for pretty cheap and should work great.
<a href="http://www.motiveproducts.com/">Motive</a>
<a href="http://www.apexcone.com/Bleeder/bleeder.html">Or build your own</a>
<a href="http://www.motiveproducts.com/">Motive</a>
<a href="http://www.apexcone.com/Bleeder/bleeder.html">Or build your own</a>
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2000
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Only if you pump it all the way to the floor?
I've always just used the brake pedal. Tho' I've heard about problems. Something along the lines of various gaskets unseating as a result of full travel and low fluid.
Actually, in addition to the whole how to bleed question, there is the discussion of whether you have to actually cycle the ABS to release fluid in its closed circuit. STOPtech has a faq on this. I've never bothered, but supposedly if you really want ALL the old fluid out so you can replace it with whatever special stuff you may add...
Actually, in addition to the whole how to bleed question, there is the discussion of whether you have to actually cycle the ABS to release fluid in its closed circuit. STOPtech has a faq on this. I've never bothered, but supposedly if you really want ALL the old fluid out so you can replace it with whatever special stuff you may add...
AudiWorld Super User
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 9,996
Likes: 94
From: Miami
I'd always thought the majority of bleed jobs are done this way...
...or maybe I'm wrong? It seems to me that power bleeders are more of a convenience item than a corrective tool for the "pumping the brake" method (which i've performed successfully many times). In your case(s), maybe it was the bleeders and their technique?? :-)
Andy
Andy
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Former Vendor
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: San Diego, CA
Most certainly could've been us!
No doubt we certainly could have some it wrong. But how hard can it be, pump the brakes once or twice, open the bleed nipple, hold pedal til near the floor, close bleed nipple.
Anyway, I've since built my own bleeder, and it works so much better, and I don't need a second person.
Anyway, I've since built my own bleeder, and it works so much better, and I don't need a second person.
AudiWorld Member
Joined: Apr 2001
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Re: Brake Question..
I've replaced the brake lines on my Honda with Goodridge lines. It was really quite easy. It helps to have the appropriate flare wrench so you don't mess up the nuts, but it's not critical. It gave a much better feel, but then my lines were 13 years old. I don't know if they would make a significant difference on our Audis just yet.
At the same time I put in speed bleeders to ease the task of bleeding my lines. They really make it possible to do with one person and very easy for two. www.speedbleeder.com has them for Audi, but yuo'll need to call as their website hasn't been updated in a while.
At the same time I put in speed bleeders to ease the task of bleeding my lines. They really make it possible to do with one person and very easy for two. www.speedbleeder.com has them for Audi, but yuo'll need to call as their website hasn't been updated in a while.
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