TheSamba.com :: View topic

Tue May 20, 2025 1:14 am

I have a 68 auto stick. New German MC, all new drum brakes all around, new cylinders. Trying to bleed brakes and nothing.

Reservoir is full. Fluid getting to the MC but not moving from there. No sign of leaks all around.

I appreciate any help with the process.

Tue May 20, 2025 6:04 am

Prior to bleeding your brakes, you'll want to make sure that you've got your brake pedal height and master cylinder pushrod clearance set correctly, plus all your brake shoes adjusted up tight against the drums. Details on some of that in the following threads:

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=799744

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=799127

Tue May 20, 2025 7:38 am

Hopefully you replaced all of the brake hoses at the wheels. They can look like new but still be internally damaged. I found that out the hard way! They are inexpensive and VERY good insurance against brake failure.

BTW-- not to brake shame you, but why didn't you opt to convert at least the front to disc? I converted mine a few years back and have been very happy as well as safer. It's nice to be able to stop on a dime instead of a football field.

Tue May 20, 2025 8:46 am

use one of these pressure bleeders. Easy to do by yourself, no need to 'pump' the brakes, and no mess of fluid squirting everywhere.

Tue May 20, 2025 9:33 am

i swear by gravity bleeding , its not in any book i have ever seen ??? but taught to me by a mechanic when i was in a similar situation as yourself .........

fill the reservoir , now just crack the bleeders , get a drink n come back . i use air line tubing into plastic bottles so i dont make a mess and i can see whats happening ........once you see fluid in the line with no more bubbles tighten that one , until all have fluid coming out of all 4 n tightened ... it might of taken a little over 5 minutes for all to have clear fluid in the lines ......now you can bleed as usual if you feel its needed .......at least this way you start bleeding with fluid in the lines ...........typical bleeding isnt usually necessary after doing this BUT i do it anyways to be sure .

gota keep checking the reservoir so it doesn't go empty on ya .

this can save you hours of up n down grief n pumping .

i have never seen anyone else even try or mention this here ???

here is a thread i shared elsewhere about this

I want to Give MajicWrench Keith a Big thank you !!! for telling me about Gravity bleeding

....... i had never heard of such a thing ........so i did it first to the 1951 vw bug maybe a year ago , all new brake lines rubber and metal , new master , new wheel cylinders . so basically a dry system ........filled up the reservoir and cracked the bleeders . i atached air line tubing to all 4 bleeders so i could see what comes out and not make such a mess .......once nice clean fluid ran out of all 4 i tightened em up ......but still skeptical i bleed em manually too , pump hold bleed style . but no air came out and it had great pedal feel ......

so on to 1970 Frankenbug here i did the same thing , its a dual master cyl . first i did the rear brakes new lines n cylinders , top off the reservoir , crack the bleeders till clean fluid comes out and tighten em up , the pedal feels good

so i did the same to the front brakes , new cylinders n lines , just gravity bled em pedal feels great

so when i went that Joy Ride yesterday it was largely to test the brakes and see if i need to manually bleed em .... i really put the brakes to the test and i have Great brakes for a VW bug . OK its not power brakes you have to push a little harder but it has great stopping power , didnt pull one way or the other , it feels firm !!!

have i been bleeding brakes WRONG my whole life doing it the hard way , can it really just be this easy ????
i scratch my head but see the results ..........so i tell folks to at least gravity bleed first n see if you need to do more . sure worked for these 2 Bugs .

i cant tell ya how many times i been down there with Patty in the car pumping n holding for me having do it numerous times before i got all the air out , doing it the old fashioned way .....i used to DREAD IT !!!
Steve , Keeper of the Light !!!

Tue May 20, 2025 11:36 am

I also like using gravity to bleed brakes. I put tubing on all the bleeders and clothespin them on the fender not clamping the hose closed. This way it's above the master and will find its own level. If the pedal rod is not adjusted correctly this will NOT work.

Tue May 20, 2025 3:26 pm

1. I ALWAYS bench bleed a master cylinder.

2. I never seem to have issues bleeding the brakes on my two old VWs, maybe I've just been lucky in the 53 and 49 years I've owned them.

Last time I needed to bleed VW brakes, I made a simple pressure bleeder "just because" I wanted to try one. https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=747133&highlight=1971+volkswagen+convertible

Tue May 20, 2025 3:51 pm

i recall bench bleeding a master once , dont even remember if it was a VW :-) i think it was messy the way i did it LOL

but when i bought this German dual master cylinder at Car Craft in Riverside , i asked em about bench bleeding , he said there isnt any need with this master that he hasent had any problems just installing em ......... Now i have been going to Car Craft for maybe close to 40 years , i used to ask Ed my questions . he is no longer around and its all these young folks i dont know .......... its less than 10 miles from here . my closest actual sales counter VW store . there is almost always a waiting line ......

Tue May 20, 2025 7:30 pm

Mine came with instructions to bench bleed, and I always have. That also wets the seals/cylinder wall.

Tue May 20, 2025 9:19 pm

X2 on gravity bleed as the first step. If you want to preserve your marriage (or your relationship with your significant other ... or long-standing friendships) invest in a power bleeder. Motive offers one with fittings for ACVWs.

Wed May 21, 2025 4:12 pm

Truth is all those ways mentioned work so choose a way that you like. We were trained like Bentley manual, two man method to bleed brakes and nobody ever thought about bleeding a master cylinder. Thousands of cars no problem but maybe the difference between then and now. Parts then came from reputable suppliers and higher quality. Ones you buy now may have been on the shelf awhile so maybe take it apart clean it reassemble then bench bleed. I worked in a hydraulic shop building door dampeners for Boeing doors. These were assembled inside a tank full of fluid with you looking through a window. Point is take your time do a good job.