"Brake system bleeding" vs "Brake Fluid, changing"

[Vanagon Nut]

Hi all.

While bleeding (flushing) brakes, I'd always bled only at upper screw. Can't recall if '86 and has two screws but.....

Check out P. 47.8 and 47.8a

Does Bentley show a brake bleed procedure for situations where a hydraulic part is replaced while fluid is still fairly new?

Does it make any difference if e brake is engaged while doing a brake fluid flush?

Neil.
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1981 Westy DIY 15º ABA

1988 West DIY 50º ABA

VE7TBN

[DanHoug]

the front caliper only has one bleeder screw as does the rear cylinder. the nice thing is that if you really can do this every 2 or 3 years, it doesn't much matter how thorough it gets done... it still 31 times better than many other people do on a 1986. it also keeps the bleeder screws free.

e brake can be on or off, matters not.

bleed into a glass jar and go for clean fluid at each wheel.
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-dan
60% of what you find on the internet is wrong, including this post.

'87 Westy & '89 Westy both 2.1 4spd

Past projects can be found at--
www.thefixitworkshop.com

[4Gears4Tires]

The nice thing with how high the reservoir is in comparison to the calipers (and no abs pump) is you can easily gravity bleed it if your lines are in good shape. Just open the bleed screw, no pumping required.

I opened all of mine and just kept the reservoir topped off.
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'87 Syncro
Ferric Oxyhydroxide Superleggera Edition

[Butcher]

Although you can drain the fluid out by cracking all the lines, you will not change out all the fluid in the master cylinder. It's always best to press on the brake pedal a few time while bleeding.

[vanis13]

[JudoJeff]

Vanis13: I never use a container that is a soft drink or coffee cup. Too many accidental ingestion. Battery acid in a Coke bottle. Brake fluid in a Gatorade container. Lesson the odds by using obvious “do not drink me” containers.

Never mind a moment of forgetfulness, feeble minded people or children can grab and drink quicker than we can yell no. And dogs lick up antifreeze.

Not trying to get on anyone, but I’ve btdt in too many stupid accidents.
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________________________________________
1989 Vanagon GL Westfalia Camper, Burned up on 7/31/16.
1987 Vanagon GL Westfalia Camper, Bostig & Rebuilt, sold
1986 Vanagon GL Westfalia Camper, Bostig Sold May 10, 2021
1999 Ford GTRV Westfalia camper (30% bigger Westy layout)

[Vanagon Nut]

Thanks everyone.

I should've included this detail. I was flushing ("changing") the fluid on my '81, hence my comment re: "bleeding" vs "changing" fluid shown in Bentley and query re: '86 callipers.

If one has the early style callipers, according to Bentley, if changing the fluid there is a specific bleed sequence that includes use of the lower drain screw at each calliper. How crucial that detail is, I don't know.

My trusty old home made pressure bleeder worked great. I pushed 1 litre of fluid through brake and clutch lines.

The bleed screws on the last set of callipers were really poorly matched (loose) to thread ID on calliper when opened. So when bleeding fluid, depending on how screw was positioned, it might let air in which would show up as bubbles in bleed hose. Frustrating. These "newer" callipers have good machine at those parts which made the job easier.

Neil.
_________________
1981 Westy DIY 15º ABA

1988 West DIY 50º ABA

VE7TBN