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bleeding brakes tip needed
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thumpergti84
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PostPosted: Mon Dec 12, 2005 9:14 pm    Post subject: bleeding brakes tip needed Reply with quote

Do you guys have any tips on bleeding your brakes if your wife won't even help out.I have to do it solo.
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msinabottle
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PostPosted: Mon Dec 12, 2005 9:25 pm    Post subject: Hope You're Handy with a Drill! Reply with quote

Go to this URL:

http://www.bmw-m.net/TechProc/bleeder.htm

and build that gadget. You will do a much better job of bleeding the brakes than if your wife WAS mechanically inclined, and while you're at it, I'd keep going and change out the brake fluid entirely. Cheapest source of DOT4 is Wal-Mart or NAPA. For a cheap air gauge, I used a Wal-Mart dial tire gauge, which worked very well. You'll have to keep getting out from under the Vanagon to pump the sprayer back up again, but you get it down to a rhythm.

Make a bottle to catch the old fluid, of course, and put some fluid in the bottom of it if you're only bleeding. You can get a cheap brake fluid cap from Arizonapartshaus.

Good luck!
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Ericthenorse
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PostPosted: Tue Dec 13, 2005 12:32 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

You should only use DOT 4 if you can completely flush the lines. This is best done when doing a complete rebuild of the brakes since otherwise you will never be able to get all of the DOT3 out. The two are not compatible... Shocked
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Phil G
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PostPosted: Tue Dec 13, 2005 1:13 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Go to Sears and buy the inexpensive trigger-grip vacuum pump - it's a snap. Has a drop tube and bottle accessory included specifically for brake bleeding. Clean and fast, you won't know how you ever lived without it.
Silicon fluid is a total waste of money for a street car. Moisture is the enemy and reduces the boiling point of all brake fluids. I think everybody understands the corrosion issue. A complete annual fluid change is the only way to eliminate the effects of moisture absorption. This and cleaning/lubricating rubber parts (caliper piston boots, etc.) with a silicon compound are why the original master cylinder and calipers on my 24 year old Benz are still in perfect condition.
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mightyart
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PostPosted: Tue Dec 13, 2005 5:06 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=128526&start=0
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VDubTech
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PostPosted: Tue Dec 13, 2005 5:56 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Your wife WON'T even sit there and pump the pedal for you?? I would kick her to the curb...what is she too good to sit there and help you out? My fiancee has done everything from helping to bleed brakes to helping me tow old Buses home with my car. You don't have one friend that would help you out for a half hour?
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thumpergti84
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PostPosted: Tue Dec 13, 2005 6:59 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

It is to cold in the garage for her to be helping out.That's the next thing HEAT in the garage.
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Randy in Maine
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PostPosted: Tue Dec 13, 2005 7:31 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

That Motive unit is the greatest thing since canned beer. I am buying one for my WIFE for Christmas.
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VDubTech
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PostPosted: Tue Dec 13, 2005 7:51 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

thumpergti84 wrote:
It is to cold in the garage for her to be helping out.That's the next thing HEAT in the garage.


How sad...just makes me love my girl all the more. She would never say it's "too cold" to help me out...she would button up, throw a jacket on and be right out there with me. My problems are her problems and vice versa. We work together and help each other out no matter what...god I love that girl.....

We have a pressure bleeder at work and I have to say it does do an incredible job if you by some chance end up bleeding them by yourself. Good luck Thumper......
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borninabus wrote:
a measurement of your rod would be extremely useful.

notchboy wrote:
my dad wasnt a belittling cock when he tought me how to wrench on cars.

EverettB wrote:
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10 photos = douchebaggery
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SlowLane
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PostPosted: Tue Dec 13, 2005 9:57 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ericthenorse wrote:
You should only use DOT 4 if you can completely flush the lines. This is best done when doing a complete rebuild of the brakes since otherwise you will never be able to get all of the DOT3 out. The two are not compatible... Shocked

That's the first I've heard of this. Are you sure you don't mean DOT 5, Eric?

See here: http://www.russellperformance.com/frequentlyautomotive.htm
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PostPosted: Tue Dec 13, 2005 1:11 pm    Post subject: Winston's Cap DEMANDED DOT4 Reply with quote

I'd never heard of it, myself, but, cap said DOT4, DOT4 it would have! Fellow at the NAPA said that DOT 4 is compatible with DOT3, just has a higher boiling point. With brakes, I don't experiment.

On the subject of DOT5, the Silicone--VW, I've heard, emphatically warns you NOT to put in a Vanagon--seals can't take it. And, since the brake fluid's also the clutch fluid, again--DOT4 it wants, DOT4, it gets.
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thumpergti84
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PostPosted: Tue Dec 13, 2005 7:51 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have to do a full flush NOW Mad I used synthetic and did not know it till after the fact.I took the day off so I will be picking up dot 4 and my wood burning stove!! Very Happy .Thanx guys N gals
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SlowLane
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PostPosted: Tue Dec 13, 2005 9:28 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

thumpergti84 wrote:
I have to do a full flush NOW Mad I used synthetic and did not know it till after the fact.I took the day off so I will be picking up dot 4

Whoa, Thumper: "synthetic"? D'you mean silicon (ie. DOT 5)? If so, then yes, you oughta flush it out.
If not, check and see if your synthetic is DOT 3 or 4. Even though Bentley and the reservoir cap specify DOT 4, I don't believe that having DOT 3 in there will hurt anything.
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Tram
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PostPosted: Tue Dec 13, 2005 11:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Dots 3 and 4 are totally compatible. Always have been, always will be.
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PostPosted: Wed Dec 14, 2005 2:32 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I stand corrected... Very Happy Very Happy
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thumpergti84
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PostPosted: Wed Dec 14, 2005 6:36 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

That's nice to hear early in the morning.It is dot 3 synthetic.
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runscx
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PostPosted: Sat Dec 17, 2005 9:25 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

my brake fluid says dot 3 & dot 4, is that cool?
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foodeater
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PostPosted: Thu Jun 05, 2008 1:51 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

runscx wrote:
my brake fluid says dot 3 & dot 4, is that cool?


thats pretty cool...i guess.
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PostPosted: Thu Jun 05, 2008 2:00 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

foodeater wrote:
runscx wrote:
my brake fluid says dot 3 & dot 4, is that cool?


thats pretty cool...i guess.


Funny!!! Applause
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PostPosted: Mon Feb 28, 2011 10:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

So, I am reading up on bleeding my brakes because I have the pump once and it' soft, twice and it's good.
By soft it means low to stop, acting like it's not really grabbing much, 2nd pump and they are normal and stop normally.
This is in my white 1985.
I have bled them too many times to count.
Engine of, furthest first, clear tube into ajar of fluid, someone pumping and holding while I operate the bleeder screw.

My question about building or using the pressurized deal posted here is why would it work?
Put the cap on, pressurize the system, remove the cap to put on the real cap and doesn't all the pressure escape?

Thank you,

David
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