Help - Brake bleeding problem
Thread Starter
New Member
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 197
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Help - Brake bleeding problem
I just replaced my rear brake calipers - all went ok until I tried bleeding the brakes.
I bled each rear caliper until clear fluid ran out - no bubbles or anything and the reservoir never dropped below the minimum mark. When done I started the car and my brake peddle went right down and vibrated on the way down almost as if the ABS was activating. Needless to say I have a very long spongy brake peddle now. Also I noticed that my power steering hydraulic fluid level dropped just below the minimum mark??? What's the connection?
What did I do wrong? Can someone please post a procedure for me as my Bently still hasn't arrived, apparantly it should be in the UK tomorrow.
I need to get the car on the road ASAP.
TIA
I bled each rear caliper until clear fluid ran out - no bubbles or anything and the reservoir never dropped below the minimum mark. When done I started the car and my brake peddle went right down and vibrated on the way down almost as if the ABS was activating. Needless to say I have a very long spongy brake peddle now. Also I noticed that my power steering hydraulic fluid level dropped just below the minimum mark??? What's the connection?
What did I do wrong? Can someone please post a procedure for me as my Bently still hasn't arrived, apparantly it should be in the UK tomorrow.
I need to get the car on the road ASAP.
TIA
AudiWorld Super User
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 9,421
Likes: 0
I'm going to guess you didn't use a pressure brake bleeder and ...
had someone pump the brake pedal while the engine wasn't running.
I'm no expert but I think this results in fluid not being feed to the ABS controller hence your brakes acting funny as soon as you started the engine.
Since you are in a "pickle" now I'd suggest you :
Go buy a brake bleeder or make a brake bleeder.
Or if you want to live dangerously and possibly die ....
Run the engine, have someone pump the pedal and bleed the brakes. Do something to try and stop the car from moving while you are doing this.
Don't drive the car and wait for the Bentley to arrive so you can properly :
1. Torque the bolts
2. Adjust the Emergency brake.
3. See if there are any special instructions for the rear proportioning valve.
4. See if there are any other special/unique instructions that apply to your car model and year.
Maybe somebody else can chime in and give you better instructions and details. There are instructions for making your own pressure bleeder in the Forum. Just use the search function.
How many NM (ft-lbs) did you torque the bolts too?
I'm no expert but I think this results in fluid not being feed to the ABS controller hence your brakes acting funny as soon as you started the engine.
Since you are in a "pickle" now I'd suggest you :
Go buy a brake bleeder or make a brake bleeder.
Or if you want to live dangerously and possibly die ....
Run the engine, have someone pump the pedal and bleed the brakes. Do something to try and stop the car from moving while you are doing this.
Don't drive the car and wait for the Bentley to arrive so you can properly :
1. Torque the bolts
2. Adjust the Emergency brake.
3. See if there are any special instructions for the rear proportioning valve.
4. See if there are any other special/unique instructions that apply to your car model and year.
Maybe somebody else can chime in and give you better instructions and details. There are instructions for making your own pressure bleeder in the Forum. Just use the search function.
How many NM (ft-lbs) did you torque the bolts too?
AudiWorld Expert
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 29,356
Likes: 1
Brake bleeding.
2 person procedure-
Start at the farthest caliper from the resivor,& work toward the closest.
1 person at caliper, 1 pumping pedal.
Person at caliper says "down"!
Person at pedal pushes pedal down, and holds it down. Person at caliper opens bleed screw, and
allows fluid to drain, via a tube into a container. Person at pedal says "floor", meaning pedal is on the floor. Person at caliper tightens up bleed screw, then say "up" and person at pedal lets pedal up. Bleed screw must be closed before pedal is allowed to return as it will suck in air.
This is repeated as many time as nessesary, moving from caliper to caliper.
Dont let the fluid just run all over your brakes, as it will damage your pads.
1 person method-
Requires pressure bleeded, or suction bleeder.
Start at the farthest caliper from the resivor,& work toward the closest.
1 person at caliper, 1 pumping pedal.
Person at caliper says "down"!
Person at pedal pushes pedal down, and holds it down. Person at caliper opens bleed screw, and
allows fluid to drain, via a tube into a container. Person at pedal says "floor", meaning pedal is on the floor. Person at caliper tightens up bleed screw, then say "up" and person at pedal lets pedal up. Bleed screw must be closed before pedal is allowed to return as it will suck in air.
This is repeated as many time as nessesary, moving from caliper to caliper.
Dont let the fluid just run all over your brakes, as it will damage your pads.
1 person method-
Requires pressure bleeded, or suction bleeder.
Thread Starter
New Member
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 197
Likes: 0
Yep, I used a 'one man' brake bleeder with a one way valve...
so when you pump the brake, fluid passes out but fluid and air cannot pass back up the tube.
I also did this with the engine off. So I guess I screwed up a little here.
1. I just made the bolts as tight as I could with the appropriate size wrench as I don't have any torque values for them. I'll torque them when my Bently arrives.
2. I don't know how to adjust the emergency brake and I haven't looked yet. At the moment it goes up 5 'clicks'. Something else to do when the Bently arrives.
3. No idea about the proportioning valve. Bently again.
I am not driving the car at the moment for obvious reasons but I need to get it on the road ASAP.
I also did this with the engine off. So I guess I screwed up a little here.
1. I just made the bolts as tight as I could with the appropriate size wrench as I don't have any torque values for them. I'll torque them when my Bently arrives.
2. I don't know how to adjust the emergency brake and I haven't looked yet. At the moment it goes up 5 'clicks'. Something else to do when the Bently arrives.
3. No idea about the proportioning valve. Bently again.
I am not driving the car at the moment for obvious reasons but I need to get it on the road ASAP.
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