Brake question .. (but don't want to bleed 'em)

[GDBN]

As I have the front struts taken apart and the ATE power discs are going on with the H+R kit I thought I would give the calipers a lick of paint.
Is there any way of accomplishing this without undoing the caliper from the brake line with resultant brake bleeding ?
I am also putting in new Pagid FR pads and don't want the paint job to look tat ... so if I do take the caliper off what's the best way of capping the line and how much fluid do I bleed out when I reinstall it ?? I presume afterwards I just top up the reservoir with new fluid ??
Sorry for all the questions but I haven't touched brakes before .....

G

[Lordschleife]

If you're doing all that why not just change the fluid for some decent stuff while you're at it? Motul RBF 600 will only set you cak a few quid, and it doesnt take long to flush the system

[koos]

Sure you could spray them in place, just tape up the parts you dont want to get overspray on. Clean them well though or the paint will be useless, heat resistant paint aswell.

[jonbuoy]

Get some brake clamp's (Or alternatively use plier's, not too strong) and clamp the flexy hose.
Take the caliper off and the carrier as you will want to paint that aswell.

When replacing, to save worry of bleeding, reconnect the caliper and carrier in it's position and open the bleed niple.
Make sure you have a tray under the caliper and release the brake clamp (or plier's).
Also make sure the resevior cap is off.

If you do it this way don't press the brake pedal cos the fluid will go everywhere and probably suck air in.

Alternatively, instead of the tray get a small hose and a bottle (Coke bottle if nothing suited) and get someone to press the pedal for you (slowly) down once to the floor, lock the nipple off and your friend can lift the pedal to the top, open bleed nipple and press pedal, lock nipple off, lift pedal and job done.

2 pumps should be enough for both side's as long as everything goes to plan as i have put it.

Good luck with it and make sure you use Heat resistant paint.

Cheer's
Jon

[johnna]

I bleed my brakes yearly. It makes a difference. Even my standard Capri set up is good because I bleed it yearly.

[jaistanley]

These guys are right.. You shouldn't be scared of bleeding your brakes. It's an oversight many people make when servicing their cars. Do you know when it was last flushes through?

Do you want to be thinking 'tits, wish I'd bled the brakes' as you rapidly approach the rear of the new hot hatch driver you were racing down the high street?

I recently bought some M3 calipers and completely stripped them, blasted them and painted them with 2 pac paint. New seals were only 15 quid. They look brand new (from ANY angle!) and feel amazing. There's a certain smug satisfaction from going the whole hog, especially with something as fundamentally important as brakes.

You know brake fluid is hyrdoscopic right? It absorbs moisture from the air and turns to treacle. Personally I drive a bit too fast, often have my girlfriend or mates in the car and like to think I've done everything I can to make sure my cars safe.

Not bleeding your calipers ( you don't even have to flush it if you're REALLY lazy) is a sure fire way to ruin the brake bias left to right as different ammounts of air may get trapped..

You could buy some second hand calipers, spen the time on them, fit 'em and sell the ones you have??

Jai

[johnna]

That is sound and cheap advice to follow, as you don't end up buying new wings, bonnet.....

[Demlotcrew]

You should never floor the brake pedal when bleeding the brakes.

Andrew

[Simon13]

the fluid should be changed yearly aswell! for the moisture reason alone!

[johnna]

Buy and use a Gunson's eezibleed. They are superb.