Bleeding Clio 182 rear brakes

[DickP]

Hi

Just replaced the rear brake pipes but cannot get any fluid or air out of the bleed nipples on the rear brakes. The level in the reserviour does not change either.

Thoughts?

 

[Ads29]

How are you trying to bleed them?

 

[JB21]

How far are opening them? Just unscrew them all the way and see if gravity pulls fluid through if it does put the nipple back in and try again. If nothing, change them.

 

[DickP]

Hi

Nipples clear as can blow compressed air through them when removed.

I can get dripples of fluid when pumping the brakes with nipples removed. I can get the odd bit of air through the nipples fitted.

I am trying to bleed the traditional way, and starting off side rear then near side rear. Fluid level is not dropping in the reseviour either.

The rear brake pipes had been disconnected for one week so the system to the rear will have drained I think given the fluid collected. But as said the level in the res has not changed.

I have read some posts talking about air locks in the abs pump? Is that possible having had the rear pipes disconnected for a week?

Thanks!

 

[Ads29]

An airlock in the abs pump is a possibility, when you say you're bleeding the traditional way are you just doing it manually using the brake pedal or have you got something such as an eezibleed that your using?

 

[DickP]

Hi Ads

I have been trying both the open nipple pedal down and close nipple procedure as well as using a vacuum syringe (big one for filling land rover gearboxes) to draw fluid. The latter gets a bit more through but not much, the former gets dribbles and air bubbles. Neither produce a noticeable change in level at the res.

I think I may have to go back to the new pipes to existing flexi joints, disconnect there and see if I can pump any fluid through. If I don't get anything would that say it is the abs modulator?

Would bleeding the untouched front brakes have any effect? Does the abs modulator have a safety system in case of brake pipe failure as I cannot understand why the res level did not drop whilst the rear pipes were disconnected for a week?

Thanks!

 

[Ads29]

I've no idea on the internal workings of the abs pump I'm afraid mate, I would suggest trying a pressure type bleeding system such as the gunson eezibleed I mentioned earlier as these will push fluid through the system.

http://www.halfords.com/workshop-tools/tools/hand-tools/gunson-eezibleed

This is what I tend to use with good results, although when I changed the rear lines on mine I had some clamps to keep the fluid contained in the system so it wouldn't run dry.

 

[Sam Linssner]

I had a similar thing when I changed to braided lines. In the end I just used the open nipple, pedal down, close nipple, pedal up technique for ages with open tubing in a can with some fresh fluid in the bottom so it couldn't suck in air and it finally purged the system. Had another mate keeping an eye on the reservoir tank and topping it up. No problems 6 months on.

 

[MRBILLYUK]

How many times have you pumped the pedal ? Is there a noticeable difference in the pedal feel when the bleed nipples open compared to when the nipple is tightened up ? I've never had this problem myself and know sod all about the abs unit other than if you do have an air lock in there then it needs to bled using renaults clip software or something similar from what I've read on here before .
I do it exactly the same way as @Sam Linssner does it . Tube on the nipple , tube into some container with old brake fluid already in there so it can't suck back any air when you release the pedal . Then i pump half a dozen times or so , keep an eye on the level and top up accordingly , then pump a few times again.
I haven't got a clue why no fluid would be passing through though as you are experiencing.

 

[Louis]

How far do you guys open your bleed nipples? Last time i bled my brakes, it was either open a tiny amount so that only brake fluid came through the actual nipple itself but at a tiny rate so i had to proper pump like a good'n, or cracked open a tiny tiny bit more and it dripped through the threads down my caliper but pumping was easier.

 

[MRBILLYUK]

How far do you guys open your bleed nipples? Last time i bled my brakes, it was either open a tiny amount so that only brake fluid came through the actual nipple itself but at a tiny rate so i had to proper pump like a good'n, or cracked open a tiny tiny bit more and it dripped through the threads down my caliper but pumping was easier.

Like you say . There's a fine line between it being hard to pump through if you only just crack it open to having it actually come out through the threads . When it does that I try and turn it back ever so slightly so it doesn't go all over the calipers. A bit of trial and error .

 

[DickP]

Hi

Thanks for the replies.

I have been unable to get any significant fluid out of the rear brakes today using the bleed methods deacribed earlier. So I put the car on four stands so I can bleed the front axle as well to see if that helps, and then have a go at the rear again.

Unfortunately the bleed nipples are between 7 and 8 mm spanners (!). Imperial fits a bit better. Either way are too stiff to slacken off and start rounding.

So I think it is off with the front calipers to sort the bleed nipples (or replace the calipers) and get RS Tuner / someone with the software to bleed the abs modulator.

If I had known how particular these cars are to routine work I would have got a garage to do it. So anyone contemplating anything beyond servicing, have a good think about it first.

 

[Louis]

My calipers have mismatched bleed nipples, (and mismatched rear calipers, as i've only replaced the one) so a bit of a pig. Had no issues bleeding my rear brakes though but came across a rounded front so just left it until i can get chance to have another go.

 

[MRBILLYUK]

Use some mole grips to remove them if they're knackered and replace all 4 with stainless bleed nipples .
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4-x-M7-x-...e&clk_rvr_id=1193957467223&afsrc=1&rmvSB=true

 

[oreA]

My fronts started rounding too, so I soaked them with Wd40 and used mole grips as suggested above. I was cringing they were so tight, you could see the nipple beginning to bend, but I just rocked the mole grips gently and they eventually they came loose. Replaced with stainless nipples and bled brakes with no trouble.

I guess your fluid level somehow dropped too low so as to need the the abs bleeding too.

 

[Sam Linssner]

As above. Mole grips on the calipers to get them off and buy new nipples on ebay :up:

 

[DickP]

I guess your fluid level somehow dropped too low so as to need the the abs bleeding too.

Hi. The fluid level didn't drop even when the rear brake pipes were removed but a lot of fluid has come out. I can only guess the abs drained but the valve to res was shut?

 

[DickP]

Hi

I have found why the level was not dropping. I had mistaken the pas res for the brake res. Not a very intuitive setup in the engine bay! Not a happy bunny.

 

[oreA]

Oh dear :grimacing:.

If it makes you feel any better my wife topped up the brake fluid with Evian when the washer fluid ran out 😂.

 

[MRBILLYUK]

Oooops penmouth:

 

[Louis]

Hahaha, no way!!! That's brilliant. You didn't put brake fluid in the PAS did you?
I hope your actual brake fluid reservoir hasn't dropped too low now after messing around with bleeding and stuff. How much you taken out?

 

[DickP]

Hi

To put it simply both the pas and brakes will be getting flushed and new fluid.

All my past cars I have worked on had it clear where pas was. Did not realise the brake res was down the engine bay on these!

 

[Louis]

We all make mistakes, you won't do it again that's for sure! Yeah, brake res at the back behind the inlet on the left.

 

[bloke]

Did not realise the brake res was down the engine bay on these!

i know, fancy putting the reservoir on top of the master cylinder :tongueclosed:

 

[Bear Head]

So (as I'm now a tad worried) as I'm bleeding mine on Tuesday,

Can I just confirm that it was infact all done well etc, but it was the fact the reservoir had gone dry through looking at the wrong one?

Sorry OP just don't want a nightmare when I do mine lol

 

[Louis]

So (as I'm now a tad worried) as I'm bleeding mine on Tuesday,

Can I just confirm that it was infact all done well etc, but it was the fact the reservoir had gone dry through looking at the wrong one?

Sorry OP just don't want a nightmare when I do mine lol

It's easy, honestly. If you dont have any friends, buy one of those viziibleed single person one way valve ones. I used one and it was pretty good.
5-6 good pumps doesn't even drop the reservoir very much if full, just keep topping it up as routinely as possible and you'll be fine.

 

[RichValver]

if you have air in the abs pump like I did after it running dry, I found using an eezi bleed, aswel as using the foot pedal method whilst engine was running worked a treat. No need for an RS tuner then

 

[JB21]

You don't even need an ezi bleed kit, just get a jar with a hole in the lid, length of tube to fit snug over the nipple and just make sure there's enough brake fluid in the jar to start with so the end of the tube is always submerged, works a treat and much more effective over the cheap bleeding kits. If the tube is a little lose just cable tie it onto the nipple.

 

[Louis]

I bought this, for the price it's really good!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VIZIBLEED...401747?hash=item51cac72cd3:g:AVoAAOxyuR5TY3rk

 

[leeds2592]

I'm doing mine tomorrow if I can manage to get the braided lines fitted ok.

Surely if you're using an eezi bleed kit and keep an eye on the bottle then it's pretty hard to run it dry? Genuine question that btw, I've never done it before 😂

 

[Louis]

I'm doing mine tomorrow if I can manage to get the braided lines fitted ok.

Surely if you're using an eezi bleed kit and keep an eye on the bottle then it's pretty hard to run it dry? Genuine question that btw, I've never done it before 😂

You gonna bleed the whole system through? Yeah it's pretty hard to run it dry.

 

[JB21]

I'm doing mine tomorrow if I can manage to get the braided lines fitted ok.

Surely if you're using an eezi bleed kit and keep an eye on the bottle then it's pretty hard to run it dry? Genuine question that btw, I've never done it before 😂

Do you have a decent 11mm flare nut spanner? as it will make it easier, Halfords do them for a £5. Also soak all the unions with penetrating fluid the night before to reduce the risk of rounding them, easy job really mate.

 

[MRBILLYUK]

You don't even need an ezi bleed kit, just get a jar with a hole in the lid, length of tube to fit snug over the nipple and just make sure there's enough brake fluid in the jar to start with so the end of the tube is always submerged, works a treat and much more effective over the cheap bleeding kits. If the tube is a little lose just cable tie it onto the nipple.

+1 . That's all I've ever used . One man operartion . I use one of these , cut in half with some tubing in the middle to extend it . One end on the bleed nipple , the end with the rivet into an old jar with a bit of old brake fluid in . Pump the pedal half a dozen times or so , top up the brake fluid reservoir , pump again half a dozen times and that should be enough to remove any air .

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/300mm-Sol...014236?hash=item2ea57e4fdc:g:FTMAAOSwMjNTzSw4
The ebay link is just an example . You can usually buy these from any car accessory shop for a quid or so.

 

[DickP]

So (as I'm now a tad worried) as I'm bleeding mine on Tuesday,

Can I just confirm that it was infact all done well etc, but it was the fact the reservoir had gone dry through looking at the wrong one?

Sorry OP just don't want a nightmare when I do mine lol

Good evening,

Yes, wrong res so it ended up dry. Since manually bleeding the system myself and then getting a Renault Specialist to bleed it again, I can say that the brakes were fine before the RS bled them again.

Not sure when the ABS actuator would get air in and prove difficult to clear.

Thanks for all the help by the way everyone.