How do you do brakes?

[the Teuton]

I drained a hell of a lot of fluid out the other day when I tore apart my strut.  Now, it's time to put more brake fluid in.  The line is still unattached and the screw still has the washer on it, but it is off the line connector.  I have killed a weekend stressing myself out over this car and now I want to get it done.  How do you refill the brake fluid and make sure no air is in the line?

[The Pirate]

Best article I've found on how to bleed brakes.  It's actually really easy, just be thorough, and follow the procedure exactly.


http://www.stoptech.com/tech_info/wp_howto_bleedbrakes.shtml

[S204STi]

That's a great article.  I would just add that since you probably have no fluid in the lines, go ahead and reassemble everything, fill the brake reservoir, and then crack open each bleeder sequentially and close each as fluid begins to dribble out.  This is known as a gravity bleed and is simply to save time with the final bleed. Otherwise the steps in the article would have to be repeated a ridiculous number of times until fluid even began to come out with each cycle.

[the Teuton]

Thank you much.   

[the Teuton]

The car is still inoperable.  I have hardly any pressure in my brake pedal, so I'm going to take more time with it tomorrow.

[Onslaught]

Usually when I want to do something I buy it wine or just inflate it.
That article seems to tell you what you need.

[etypeJohn]

Looks like you need to pressure bleed the things.? Make sure you keep the fluid reservour full when you are bleeding the brakes.? Let it get too low and you introduce air back into the master cyl. and you have to start over again.

[S204STi]

John's right.  Something I use that helps me at work is a vacuum bleeder.  You can get them at some auto parts stores, or at least they should know what you're talking about; they usually either have a relatively large tank with a long pump handle, or they connect to an air source such as a compressor.  The vacuum sucks the air out, while drawing fluid into the system from the reservoir.

The only downside is the cost...sometimes over $100 for one.

[southdiver1]

How do you do brakes?
First, I like to start off with a bit of Barry White and a few candles.....
yeah.

[VTEC_Inside]

John's right. Something I use that helps me at work is a vacuum bleeder. You can get them at some auto parts stores, or at least they should know what you're talking about; they usually either have a relatively large tank with a long pump handle, or they connect to an air source such as a compressor. The vacuum sucks the air out, while drawing fluid into the system from the reservoir.

The only downside is the cost...sometimes over $100 for one.

My hand pump version cost $80CAD.

The fact that it came with a bottle for bleeding brakes, etc.. was a bonus. I bought it to test shit on my Accord.

[etypeJohn]

John's right.? Something I use that helps me at work is a vacuum bleeder.? You can get them at some auto parts stores, or at least they should know what you're talking about; they usually either have a relatively large tank with a long pump handle, or they connect to an air source such as a compressor.? The vacuum sucks the air out, while drawing fluid into the system from the reservoir.

The only downside is the cost...sometimes over $100 for one.

I think Mity-Vac is a common one and generally costs about $50 US

[S204STi]

Cool, that's a lot better than I thought it was.

[the Teuton]

I'm going to be finishing them off tonight.  Now, it's time to call Auto Zone to see if I can rent one.

[r0tor]

speedbleeders are much cheaper and easier

[S204STi]

speedbleeders are much cheaper and easier

Are those the bleeders you install in place of the OEM ones?

[the Teuton]

I just picked up the OEM vacuum thing which I should be using tonight or tomorrow.  In any case, it cost $53 at Auto Zone with $50 of that refundable when I return it.  Not a horribly bad deal, IMO.

[JYODER240]

I can bleed my brakes without removing the wheel

BTW since I tend to drive rather spiritly, would it be a good idea to bleed mine?

[The Pirate]

I can bleed my brakes without removing the wheel

BTW since I tend to drive rather spiritly, would it be a good idea to bleed mine?

How many miles on the car?  It's probably not a bad idea.  I have my bled and new fluid put in once a year.

[JYODER240]

21k

[Soup DeVille]

I can bleed my brakes without removing the wheel

BTW since I tend to drive rather spiritly, would it be a good idea to bleed mine?

Miles are meaningless to brake fluid.

Once every three years.

[JYODER240]

Miles are meaningless to brake fluid.

Once every three years.

I'll probably wait untill next spring then since that will be almost 3 years.

[the Teuton]

I think I am utterly screwing up this "Teuton the mechanic" thing, but at least I've learned a hell of a lot.  I'm probably going to get back at it after I sell the old 1.8 liter engine sometime today (like noonish, hopefully).

[r0tor]

Are those the bleeders you install in place of the OEM ones?

...yup, simple but effective little check valves built into the bleeder screw http://www.speedbleeder.com/

[Raza]

Since I'm an idiot when it comes to doing mechanical things, where should I take the VW to bleed the brakes?  It's not the type of thing I can get done under warranty, is it?

[The Pirate]

Since I'm an idiot when it comes to doing mechanical things, where should I take the VW to bleed the brakes?  It's not the type of thing I can get done under warranty, is it?

No, but the dealer would do it.


Or grab a friend and do it yourself.  It's easy with two people.

[JYODER240]

Since I'm an idiot when it comes to doing mechanical things, where should I take the VW to bleed the brakes?? It's not the type of thing I can get done under warranty, is it?

It's rediculously easy with two people, but you need to the tools.

Any dealership will do it for you, and an independant shop will probably be cheaper.

[etypeJohn]

Call a brake shop like Brake Check and see what they would charge.

[Raza]

Call a brake shop like Brake Check and see what they would charge.

Never heard of them.  There's a local shop that's pretty good, I'll see what they can do.  Maybe I can schedule it the same time as my inspection on a Friday and I'll have to take the Box to work...

[the Teuton]

Never heard of them.  There's a local shop that's pretty good, I'll see what they can do.  Maybe I can schedule it the same time as my inspection on a Friday and I'll have to take the Box to work...

Oh that's right.  If I live in PA but still have my car registered in Ohio, I assume that means I don't have to have inspections, right?

[Raza]

Oh that's right.? If I live in PA but still have my car registered in Ohio, I assume that means I don't have to have inspections, right?

I don't think you'll have to.  But be advised that you'll probably get pulled over for it if a cop doesn't notice your out of state plates.