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Just a simple one about the brakes.

Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2009 7:29 pm
by dickdastardly
How do I go about filling the front brakes (by brakes I mean hoses, callipers and master cylinder) up. I've tried a few different things, I've had the callipers completely stripped (didn't take the pistons out though, I'm worried about them returning when things are ready). New braided hoses and a new reservoir.

Please help again people.

Re: Just a simple one about the brakes.

Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2009 8:55 pm
by scratchin
are you meaning bleeding them up? if so you have just got to perservere, fill resovoir with fluid pump the brake lever about ten times hold the lever in, undo the bleed nipple for couple of seconds tighten the bleed nipple back up then repeat, make sure you have the lever pulled in while you open and close the bleed nipple and make sure you keep an eye on the resovoir dont let it get to low or you will be letting air back in, you will need a hose that can snuggly fit over the bleed nipple and a contianer to catch the fluid coming through you will need to do both callipers, i did mine at the weekend and it took about 40 minutes to bleed all the air out

Re: Just a simple one about the brakes.

Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2009 9:08 pm
by dickdastardly
Thanks, thats the sort of detail I was after. Might try it tonight but definitely tomorrow.

Re: Just a simple one about the brakes.

Posted: Thu Aug 06, 2009 12:52 pm
by dickdastardly
Well I tried. Still not working. I spoke to my local garage and they said I'll need some sort of vacum bleeder. Can't wait to have brakes again. :P

Re: Just a simple one about the brakes.

Posted: Thu Aug 06, 2009 12:59 pm
by dropoutdave
Brakes are for the weak. ;)

Re: Just a simple one about the brakes.

Posted: Thu Aug 06, 2009 1:35 pm
by greggo
If you have had the system completely dry - such as attaching brand new lines - you'll need something to push or suck the fluid through. A big syringe you might use for adjusting fork oil is fairly ideal or you can buy special brake bleeding pumps. It's a royal pain in the A.

Re: Just a simple one about the brakes.

Posted: Thu Aug 06, 2009 9:21 pm
by wig
also check that your bleed nipple isnt blocked up, ie remove it completeley and see if fluid runs though.
as the others say, persevere!

Re: Just a simple one about the brakes.

Posted: Thu Aug 06, 2009 9:53 pm
by dickdastardly
lol @ dropoutdave

But cheers Greggo, that's some good advice which I might try. Cos' as it turns out I found an old (fairly large, but not to sure if it's up to the job) syringe today before I even looked at this. Was using it as a water pistol to squirt the Mrs.

And wig, the nipple definitely is not blocked up as I've had them apart and properly cleaned. And when I was trying to bleed em' some fluid came out.

I just thought I should have probably posted this in the VFR forum as I've put NC30 callipers and fork bottoms on.

I'll let you guys know how it goes.

Re: Just a simple one about the brakes.

Posted: Sat Aug 08, 2009 9:39 pm
by dickdastardly
Anyway, I worked out in my extremely limited wisdom and experience that the pistons aren't returning, so I gotta get some new seal's and figured I'd get some o-rings too. Really itchin to go for a ride in the nice weather I've been havin' over here.

Re: Just a simple one about the brakes.

Posted: Tue Aug 11, 2009 4:48 pm
by stretchie_
Cars, bikes whatever, I've never had any success with a syringe

: (

And topping the res up and pumping then releasing the bleed nipple is a LOONG and boring process. I bought one of these

http://www.mandp.co.uk/productinfo/5333 ... ts/Mityvac" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

and never looked back, it's completley USELESS for actually bleeding so the brakes are good BUT it's fan bloody tastic for getting the fluid down the lines and into the caliper. Then I do the whole pumping then releasing the bleed nipple just to get all the air bubbles out.

I've never had to mess about for ages doing the last step, normally just 3 or four visits to the bleed nipple sorts it out