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Advice on bleeding brakes DONE!

Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2011 2:57 pm
by jann
Hello

My brake fluid is very empty and is a gun metal charcoal colour.... I have stopped driving it for obvious reasons.
I would like to change the fluid by my self (keen to get down and dirty ha) and was wondering is there a step by step tutorial.
Also what fluid should I use (Dot 4)
How long do it usually take.

I've heard you have to bleed each corner in a specific pattern??

If worst comes to worst how much does a garage charge and I mean this is the last option lol.

The patient is a 91 IS (rear discs too)

Any answers who be great.
Cheers
Jann

Re: Advice on bleeding brakes also hints and tips would be g

Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2011 3:05 pm
by turk

Re: Advice on bleeding brakes also hints and tips would be g

Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2011 4:00 pm
by magpie
buy an easy bleed kit for about £20 and you can do them on your own without needing anyone to pump the brake pedal.


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plugs on to your wheel valve and works under the psi of the tyre
8)

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Re: Advice on bleeding brakes also hints and tips would be g

Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2011 4:21 pm
by clipper
magpie wrote:buy an easy bleed kit for about £20 and you can do them on your own without needing anyone to pump the brake pedal.


Image


plugs on to your wheel valve and works under the psi of the tyre
8)

Image
+1

I was advised on here to get one and it makes the job so much easier.

Just keep the pressure to the lower end of the specified range as I found that some fluid was blowing past the seals and spilling. No bother, just a waste of fluid and more cleaning up in the in-laws' garage required :mad:

Oh, and do your clutch fluid at the same time !

Re: Advice on bleeding brakes also hints and tips would be g

Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2011 4:24 pm
by jann
I found this i don't one of those things above.

Is this the correct way. http://www.unofficialbmw.com/all/brakes ... fluid.html

Also how do you change the clutch fluid? 8O They use brake fluid right?
Cheers
Jann

Re: Advice on bleeding brakes also hints and tips would be g

Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2011 7:18 pm
by Brianmoooore
If the brake fluid reservoir was empty, then you have a leak to sort out before you do much else!
Clutch fluid is changed in exactly the same way as the brake fluid, but you only have the one bleed nipple to deal with, on the clutch slave cylinder.

Re: Advice on bleeding brakes also hints and tips would be g

Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2011 8:22 pm
by jann
Well it was right at the bottom when i brought the car and i mean right at the bottom:/
So its just real low, It's done less than 7k in 3 and a half years so it needs a change.

What would you recommend? Pagid?
Its doesn't see the track so is the difference for DOT3 and DOT4 great for normal driving.

I'll treat him for his 20th next month with some new NGK's :)

Cheers
Jann

Re: Advice on bleeding brakes also hints and tips would be g

Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2011 11:14 am
by jann
Just quickly guys as im away without the care so i cannot check which fluid to get?
Any help.
Cheers
Jann

Posted from iPhone.

Re: Advice on bleeding brakes also hints and tips would be g

Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2011 1:00 pm
by richy187
DOT 4 is fine

Re: Advice on bleeding brakes also hints and tips would be g

Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2011 3:33 pm
by jann
Come across a problem. on the second wheel i have started bleeding no more fluid is coming out, the pedal is soft after pumping (though is did go hard once) Im on the left rear. also the reservoir level is not going down.. Helpp.
jann.

Re: Advice on bleeding brakes also hints and tips would be g

Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2011 7:10 pm
by richy187
Sounds like a blockage somewhere. :?

Re: Advice on bleeding brakes also hints and tips would be g

Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2011 7:18 pm
by PG325
Try a small drill into the bleed nipple, sometimes crap builds up.

Re: Advice on bleeding brakes also hints and tips would be g

Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2011 8:47 pm
by jann
Thing is also i did the right rear fine, pedal was hard then moved to the left rear. :/

Re: Advice on bleeding brakes also hints and tips would be g

Posted: Sun Jan 23, 2011 3:40 pm
by jann
Finished the job myself, now clear fluid and a real hard pedal, stopping power is immense! Rears seem to be working too!
RESULT! saved myself a wod of cash too.
cheers
jann

P.s thanks guys for the tips.