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Author Topic: Bleeding brakes - DIY?  (Read 10256 times)

Offline JPC

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Bleeding brakes - DIY?
« on: November 02, 2009, 01:28:14 pm »
Hi Guys,

Just wanted to pick the brains of some of our more hands on members.
When it comes to my car, there is generally no expense spared when it comes to mods, if its a job is worth doing its worth doing right 100% first time round. So things like alignment after lowering etc is done no questions asked.

But, i myself, am pretty good as hands of stuff, as many of you know, my car is pretty modded (OEM+ style) and ive done most myself. Ive just recently changed all the beige interior headlining and ancillaries to Black GTi ones. So i consider myself pretty handy like that.

One thing though, that has daunted me and ive never looked into doing, is changing/bleeding my brakes. Mainly due to the consequences, but it would be so much handier for me to be competent whilst swapping the brakes on my car.

Ive got an ample working environment with my detailing unit.

Ive had S3 rears for nearly a year now and not fitted them.

I have heard its relatively easy, once your familiar with it. Im sure there are members on here that would be completely put off by doing a headlining swap, but could p1ss a brake bleed!

Oh and btw...its not completely foreign to me, I've bled my brakes on my downhill and XC bike.

any input is welcome, even if its "get someone else to do it"


 :pomppomp: :pomppomp: :pomppomp: :pomppomp:

Offline MAT ED30

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Re: Bleeding brakes - DIY?
« Reply #1 on: November 02, 2009, 02:37:30 pm »
go to halfords and get an easy bleed kit makes it easy for u  :smiley:

Mods yes but way too many to stick in this little box

Offline JPC

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Re: Bleeding brakes - DIY?
« Reply #2 on: November 02, 2009, 02:46:57 pm »
well, i was thinking about that, but id prefer to use a system that doesnt use a spare wheel. i dont mind paying a bit more.

Would this do?

http://www.tooled-up.com/ManProduct.asp?PID=109708&referrer=google&gclid=CMHUudzG7J0CFUtp4wodcmm3MA


Offline JPC

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Re: Bleeding brakes - DIY?
« Reply #3 on: November 02, 2009, 02:53:26 pm »
ive just had a look into this,

http://www.golfmkv.net/blog/archives/12

It seems pretty handy and informative.

I just wondered, is there any particular sequence i need to use (front drivers, rear drivers side etc)?

If i wanted to change the brake fluid, do i need to let it drain, then put new fluid in?

Offline gillm

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Re: Bleeding brakes - DIY?
« Reply #4 on: November 02, 2009, 02:56:50 pm »
thats what i have and its great i have used it twice on my mk5 and many times on other cars . 100% recomend
west tuned gt28 @ 340hp

Offline gillm

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Re: Bleeding brakes - DIY?
« Reply #5 on: November 02, 2009, 02:58:50 pm »
ive just had a look into this,

http://www.golfmkv.net/blog/archives/12

It seems pretty handy and informative.

I just wondered, is there any particular sequence i need to use (front drivers, rear drivers side etc)?

If i wanted to change the brake fluid, do i need to let it drain, then put new fluid in?



always work from the away from the m/c i.e rear pass then rear drivers then front pass then front drivers
west tuned gt28 @ 340hp

Offline JPC

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Re: Bleeding brakes - DIY?
« Reply #6 on: November 02, 2009, 03:00:23 pm »
cheers mate, do you know how much the system holds? i guess its about 500-600ml?

if so i guess ill be bleeding out 100ml or so on each brake caliper, i better buy a Litre of Fluid right? just to be on the safe side

Offline JPC

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Re: Bleeding brakes - DIY?
« Reply #7 on: November 02, 2009, 03:00:42 pm »
ive just had a look into this,

http://www.golfmkv.net/blog/archives/12

It seems pretty handy and informative.

I just wondered, is there any particular sequence i need to use (front drivers, rear drivers side etc)?

If i wanted to change the brake fluid, do i need to let it drain, then put new fluid in?



always work from the away from the m/c i.e rear pass then rear drivers then front pass then front drivers

thanks mate

Offline gillm

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Re: Bleeding brakes - DIY?
« Reply #8 on: November 02, 2009, 03:03:05 pm »
mine holds 2l i think . i aways use 1l and try to do 2 cars at the same time
west tuned gt28 @ 340hp

Offline JPC

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Re: Bleeding brakes - DIY?
« Reply #9 on: November 02, 2009, 03:04:51 pm »
ok mate, cheers, i guess that goes for topping up fluid?

whats the procedure with completely wanting to flush out old oil and use some proper brake fluid?

Offline JPC

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Re: Bleeding brakes - DIY?
« Reply #10 on: November 02, 2009, 09:34:27 pm »
 :sad:

Offline gillm

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Re: Bleeding brakes - DIY?
« Reply #11 on: November 02, 2009, 09:38:47 pm »
i syringe fluid out of the resiviour then connect the bleeder and bleed till its nice a clean
west tuned gt28 @ 340hp

Offline JPC

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Re: Bleeding brakes - DIY?
« Reply #12 on: November 02, 2009, 09:56:32 pm »
Ok mate, thanks for that.

Offline john_o

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Re: Bleeding brakes - DIY?
« Reply #13 on: November 02, 2009, 10:41:23 pm »
man of your talents a piece of P*ss  :happy2: just dont be scared of it.

cant say as Ive always got on well with these pressurised systems but then I'm old enough to know old school easibleed and old fluid that used to eat paintwork on contact  :signLOL:

when removing calipers etc a good tip is to remove the master cylinder cap , cover with cling film and replace  :happy2:, then almost no fluid is lost.

dunno if the mk5 is a diagonal split system (prob is) , so best to refer to manual for order of bleeding.

cleanliness is utmost
and dont do things like shaking the fluid bottle !
dont hit the brake pedal without anything between the calipers ......

just think twice before u do anything and youll be fine  :happy2:
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Offline JPC

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Re: Bleeding brakes - DIY?
« Reply #14 on: November 02, 2009, 10:56:02 pm »
Thanks for the pointers john, I'm sure I'll crack it when the time comes, it will be great when I do! Lol