8 replies to this topic

[JonnyAlpha]

Well it was a mamouth task but I have just managed to change the front brake hoses Left and Right. I am now trying to bleed the brakes but I am having some trouble in doing so.

 

The car has been off the road for several years whilst I have been restoring it. The Rear Subframe (and brakes) were removed and all new rear brake lines fitted.

 

I am using a Vizibleed one person bleed kit and started with the rear Left Hand side. After fixing a leaking hose on the rear right, I seem to have been able to bleed the back Left and the the Right, old brake fluid was eventually expelled and then new clean stuff came through. I could not see the bottle whilst pumping the brakes but the plastic line on inspection was full of clear fluid, but air may have crept back up.

 

But when I tried the front left I cannot clear the air, I can see the bottle and can see the air moving in the tube but I cannot seem to pump the brake pedal fast enough to move the air down the tube.

 

I think the problem may be the Vizi Bleed kit and the difference between my front and rear Brake Cylinders. The rear are new and the bleed nipples are smaller. The rubber pipe fits completely over the bleed nipples on the rear but on the front it only goes over the end of the nipple. I think maybe air is leaking into the bleed tube?

 

I have used a bottle of Dot 4 already so need to get some more :-(

 

Any advice in case I am doing this wrong would be appreciated. 

[Carlos W]

If its not sealing, would a cable tie help?

[JonnyAlpha]

If its not sealing, would a cable tie help?

 

Did briefly try that but it was late, I was tired and didn't seem to work although the cable tie was too big and probably did not seal it. I think this is the problem - it's not sealing hence trying to chase the air down the tube !!

[JonnyAlpha]

Just had a look at the Vizibleed on the Internet to see if I could find any instructions and found out that it comes with a plastic gizmo for locking the pipe onto the Bleed Nipple!!! I'd better give that a go.

 

https://www.amazon.c...brake bleed kit

 

Incidentally does anyone know if this kit will fit a 1982 Mini Brake Fluid Reservoir?

[andyt]

Hi I also bled my brakes last week after eight years apart and lots of new pipe with a vizibleed and it works a treat if you use the white plastic piece as it clamps the pipe onto the bleed nipple sealing it completely.

 

Andy.

[neal]

The following information may not be relevant to your problem and hopefully as you say the pipe is just loose on the bleed nipple, but maybe worth considering.........

 

The 'one way valve' as I'm sure you are aware (which sometimes fail or leak a tiny amount) fitted to your kit stops air being sucked back up and into the caliper when you release the brake pedal, then the brake fluid in the reservoir should replenish the master cylinder......But have you ever considered that air can be drawn around the bleed nipple threads and back into the caliper and slowing down the bleeding rate?

 

Also when using an air vacuum bleeding kit is used the same occurs, air can also be sucked  from around the outside of the bleed nipple if loose in the threads (by undoing it too much) and back into the caliper, then travels out of the nipple whereby a constant stream of air is noticeable mixed in with brake fluid in the bleed pipe.

 

To stop air being drawn past the bleed nipple threads when using the above bleeding methods I tend to smear a blob of grease around the bleed nipple threads to stop this, but you can't beat the two person bleeding technique whereby the bleed nipple is tightened just before the pedal is released which eliminates any chance of this happening.

 

(There are other methods such as gravity bleeding , pressurised/forced bleeding and have known to jack a vehicle up at one end and place on axle stands just to aid flow.)

 

As I said this maybe useless info to you, but I have first hand experience of this when assessing apprentices on brake/clutch bleeding techniques.

 

Good luck

 

[JonnyAlpha]

Finally managed to bleed the brakes, they work but the pedal seems to have a lot of travel e.g. nearly to the floor?

[MacGyver]

The Easy-bleed kit will fit your 82 (I have a 82 city).
It uses a tyre to pressurise the master-cylinder so won't require pedal pumping, you may have to open the back nipple before pressurising it as otherwise it will lock.
If you decide to get this kit that is...
Good luck with the bleeding brakes. 🍀

Ps: you still have air in the system if pedal goes to the floor...

Edited by MacGyver, 13 October 2016 - 07:52 AM.

[nicklouse]

Finally managed to bleed the brakes, they work but the pedal seems to have a lot of travel e.g. nearly to the floor?

going to the floor is one thing. going to the floor and then pumping up is another.

 

could be poor adjustment or poor bleed.