One man brake bleeding

[graham.hilder@xxxxxxxxxxxxx (Graham Hilder)]

Regarding the recent posts about brake bleeding methods, here's
a scheme I've used for years which I don't think I've seen
mentioned yet.  It's not a pressure bleed but it is a one-man
system, and it avoids that endless open-nipple-push-pedal
close-nipple-release-pedal performance.  It also avoids messing
around with bottles of fluid for bleed tubes to be immersed in, and
it bleeds the whole system in one hit too.

I just push a good length of clear tube onto every brake nipple on
the car (usually 4, but 3 for Alfasud), and run them upwards a
good few inches before letting them drape down onto the ground. 
Loosen every brake nipple, then just relax in the car and pump
the pedal, stopping now & again to top up master cyl as usual.
Fluid will be pumped out of every nipple, all going well, and since
all are open at once, you are assured of full pedal stroke even on a
dual circuit system.  Because the bleed tubes are running upwards
a good few inches from the nipples, if anything is drawn back by
the pedal upstroke it will only be fluid and not air. So, no need to
cycle the bleed screws open and closed, and no need to immerse
tubes in jars of fluid on the ground, and no need for two people.
Same method goes for clutch bleed.

You can do a full fluid change in no time, this way. It usually
works well,  although sometimes there seems to be one rogue
caliper in the bunch which takes ages for new fluid to emerge,
after all the others have well finished.  I should also say that I
haven't had any luck doing a 105 car this way (or any other
blimmin' way, for that matter!).  But it's been great for the Alfetta,
numerous Suds, and sundry non-Alfas I used to have (before I
saw the light).

Regards,
Graham H,
N.Z.

   

------------------------------

End of alfa-digest V7 #39
*************************