Brake bleeding

[Space Cadet]

I’m going to fit some new braided hoses (and discs & pads) and just want to push a drop of fluid through the hoses.

Will put some ‘standard’ fluid in so I don’t need to worry about a full flush and therefore the ABS pump (I think – is this correct?).

Was looking at getting an Easybleeder but they all look to fit to the fluid-reservoir and push the new fluid in - rather than suck it out through the bleed nipple.

Am I being a dunce, but don’t any them just attach to the nipple and suck the fluid out as you slacken the nipple?

Or do I do it the old fashioned way and just ask someone to push & hold the brake pedal?

Thanks

 

[JamesBryan]

You're thinking of the vacuum bleeders which operate via a compressor.

All you do with the Easybleed is attach it to the reservior, then crack the bleed nipple open and it'll push some through.

 

[leeds2592]

Yeh, eezibleed's you connect to a tyre which pushes the fluid through when you open the bleed nipples. I prefer the 2 man method. I found, for some reason, I couldn't get enough pressure to fully push the fluid through properly with the eezibleed.

Just make sure the fluid doesn't run low or dry whilst doing it as that'll get air in the ABS system and require CLIP to sort it out.

 

[JamesBryan]

You can even pump the pedal aswell if you want using the easybleed.

 

[Space Cadet]

Yeh, eezibleed's you connect to a tyre which pushes the fluid through when you open the bleed nipples. I prefer the 2 man method. I found, for some reason, I couldn't get enough pressure to fully push the fluid through properly with the eezibleed.

Just make sure the fluid doesn't run low or dry whilst doing it as that'll get air in the ABS system and require CLIP to sort it out.

Thanks all

Ah, so the vacuum bleeders need a compressor. I wondered if there was a hand pump version.



When you say the 2 man method – do you mean the ‘old fashioned peddle-pump way’ or 2 man also somehow using the bleeder?

The amount of fluid needed to fill one hose must be miniscule therefore just doing it the old fashioned way must be ok and after each peddle-pump just topping the fluid up if needed.

I was hoping, rather than having to ‘bother’ my wife and ask her to pump the peddle that there may be a bleeder that just sucks the fluid out.




I’ll do some more research on the Eezibleeders then.

 

[Amos91]

Thanks all

Ah, so the vacuum bleeders need a compressor. I wondered if there was a hand pump version.



When you say the 2 man method – do you mean the ‘old fashioned peddle-pump way’ or 2 man also somehow using the bleeder?

The amount of fluid needed to fill one hose must be miniscule therefore just doing it the old fashioned way must be ok and after each peddle-pump just topping the fluid up if needed.

I was hoping, rather than having to ‘bother’ my wife and ask her to pump the peddle that there may be a bleeder that just sucks the fluid out.




I’ll do some more research on the Eezibleeders then.

There are options for bleeders with 1 way valves as well. Although to be honest, I just get the girlfriend to help as it seems to be the most reliable way for me.

Also, if you hold the brake pedal down with a metal bar before you start, it will stop the fluid in the hard lines draining out. It's much less messy and you will lose no fluid from the system.

 

[Usr117063]

You can even pump the pedal aswell if you want using the easybleed.

I did this the other day, not sure if it was your post in another thread I got the idea from?

 

[Space Cadet]

Thanks. I’ve just read the instructions for the Eezibleeder and it looks eezy (!!) enough to do so I think I’ll give it a go.

Is it ok to mix makes of brake fluid?

From what I can see on t’net I think the car has DOT 4 as standard, presumably I don’t need especially to get some new fluid from Renault, but just some more DOT 4 from elsewhere?

(I’m mechanically competent, just have a mental-block regarding bleeding brakes!)

 

[Usr117063]

Just flush the new stuff through, you will still have to buy a whole bottle

 

[Space Cadet]

Thanks, just did a bit of research and mixing brands is fine as is DOT 5.1 with 4 or 3, just not DOT 5 with anything else.

I will buy a couple of bottles of DOT 4 then and push ½ a bottle through with each corner.

(The car is only 12 months/2,300 miles old but I’m replacing the discs because they’re all rusty and upgrading them (will paint the new bells before fitting) and the pads for a bit more bite and thought I would do the hoses while at it. It probably doesn’t need a fluid change yet, but just need to push some fluid through the new hoses.

 

[Space Cadet]

Do I need to worry about the ABS pump??

 

[Amos91]

Do I need to worry about the ABS pump??

Only if you empty the reservoir. Hence why if you hold the brake pedal down, you won't lose any fluid during the line switch...

 

[Space Cadet]

Thanks

 

[JamesBryan]

I did this the other day, not sure if it was your post in another thread I got the idea from?

Possibly yeah. It just increases the pressure inside the MC to get more air out.

Any DOT4 will do @Space Cadet

 

[Space Cadet]

Thanks all.

 

[Space Cadet]

I may as well push some new fluid through the whole system (ignoring the ABS pump) therefore how much fluid do the Clios hold roughly, i.e. how many 500ml bottles will I need?

Was going to use some RBF600.

Thanks

 

[Usr117063]

@Space Cadet Id get 1litre

 

[JamesBryan]

Roughly they hold 700-1000ml

A litre should do you.

 

[Space Cadet]

Thanks!

Had already ordered 4 bottles so looks like I am going to have a lot spare...!

 

[JamesBryan]

Plenty.

 

[Usr117063]

Why cant they make brake fluid smell like dodo juice products and apple fairy up liquid. Im so sick of it haha