How easy to change brake fluid?

[Doggy]

'Nitric' has fairly spongy brakes.

I could try bleeding the system, but as I'm thinking of keeping it for a while and have heard others in our exalted community recommending this practice, thought I'd enquire.....

Merci d'avance.

[steve_earwig]

I always used to bleed mine, in the old days using the two man uppy downy technique, later using an eezybleed but to be honest I hate doing it, brake fluid is paint stripper and I spend the whole time worrying about what's on my hands and what I've touched so I end up with OCD washing my hands every minute. It's a relief these days that I have someone with the right kit that I trust to take it to.

I think you can bleed it using PP2K, there's some sort of test mode you can put it into and it tells you which wheel to go to next. I'm not sure if it tells you when you need to tip more into it though.

[boombang]

I always use an EZBleed but never put fluid in the reservoir. Instead run it down to the min through the furthest caliper, top up to the brim and go again until bleeds clear. Then go round the other three calipers, topping up between each one.

Depending which car it is I am bleeding, once done I'll go out for a drive and activate the ABS a few times. Then come back home and bleed through again. Only do this once every couple of years, but I bleed every year otherwise.

When fitting new pads / discs, I don't do the ABS and re-bleed until fully worn in.

If you have dealer diagnostic/service kit (guessing with Pug is PP2K, with Vauxhall is Tech2), then you can activate the ABS pump whilst doing the bleed, saves having to rebleed to make sure the ABS system is flushed.

[Doggy]

Corr! That's well clever.

I shall investigate PP2k later....

Thanks people.

[boombang]

Biggest issue I've found is normally undoing bleed nipples.

I always use shock and unlock on the nipple before even trying to undo. This is a penetrating lubricant with an additive that evaporates rapidly, cooling the metal and hopefully cracking any rust. Then use a 6 sided socket to avoid any rounding, and very minimal pressure.

If the nipple doesn't undo easily, I next try to do up very slightly, again with very little pressure. If that doesn't work I'll try some heat, followed by more shock and unlock.

Generally if this doesn't undo it you're pretty stuffed, can try more heat and more cold, but most nipples will shear off if stuck. Can help yourself for next time around by replacing the nipples.

[Doggy]

That's a timely reminder, thank you - I'll treat them to some http://www.chsinteractive.co.uk/electri ... -shock.htm
before trying to undo them

[Bailes1992]

Buy some new bleed nipples if I was you.

They should come undone fine but if you are changing the brake fluid then you might as well replace them.
When you fit the new bleed nipples, there is nothing wrong with putting copper grease on the threads to stop them seizing in the future!

I use an EZ Bleed system, it uses the pressure off the spare wheel to pull the fluid through. Start at the furthest wheel and keep the reseviour topped up right until the fluid starts coming out clear.

I just done the Mondingo and I started bleeding using the uppy/downy method, once you start bleeding gravity did the rest! Was quite impressed.

[Doggy]

Well, looky here....



I tried running through the sequence, seems to tell you which one to open, activates the pump, then asks you if it's OK.......