Brake bleeding and brake fluid

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Brake bleeding and brake fluid

Post by G-spot »

So, As some know I recently acquired a set of S3 brake calipers, discs and pads. I also bought a set of braided lines as well.

Being the DIY man that I am, I'll be attempting to do this installation myself. The mechanical part of it is pretty simple. But I have never completely removed and put back calipers before, Nor have I ever bled a brake system. So here it goes.

What would be the procedure to bleed the brake system on a polo, what is needed to do this.
I also take it ill have to replace most of the brake fluid, what would be the best to use and how much would I need?

what else did i miss?
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Re: Brake bleeding and brake fluid

Post by Black&White »

Hey bud. I beld my breaks this weekend. I'm not expert but something I do know is u should always bleed ur break furthest from ur "break fluid" pump or what ever. The polo's break fluid bottle sits on the right side of ur engine (steering wheel side). So in other words u should bleed ur left back, then right back, front left and last ur right calliper.

Also u should use DOT4 break fluid.

IMPORTANT: make sure ur bleeding nipple points upwards so that any air in the break lines can escape when being bled.

Need the bleeding procedure?

Anybody pls correct me if I'm wrong with anything, but I'm pretty sure that sound cover it except for the whole bleeding procedure.

Shot
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Re: Brake bleeding and brake fluid

Post by Sparkz0629 »

a little trick my buddy taught me to keep things clean...

Get a clear rubber tube that is slightly smaller than the bleeding nipple... then take a Purity (Baby food) bottle, and make a small hole in the lid, just big enough for the tube to fit through.

Make sue you cut the tube a decent length... then you can just slide the tube over the nipple, and all the brake fluid will go into the bottle instead of onto the floor when its being bled...

Sorry, not quite answering your question, but it helps :grin:
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Re: Brake bleeding and brake fluid

Post by Jetta2 »

When bleeding brakes, start from the wheel that is furtherest from the master cylinder and work forward.
So, left rear - right rear - left front - right front.
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Re: Brake bleeding and brake fluid

Post by Howie-WP »

Black&White wrote:Hey bud. I beld my breaks this weekend. I'm not expert but something I do know is u should always bleed ur break furthest from ur "break fluid" pump or what ever. The polo's break fluid bottle sits on the right side of ur engine (steering wheel side). So in other words u should bleed ur left back, then right back, front left and last ur right calliper.

Also u should use DOT4 break fluid.

IMPORTANT: make sure ur bleeding nipple points upwards so that any air in the break lines can escape when being bled.

Need the bleeding procedure?

Anybody pls correct me if I'm wrong with anything, but I'm pretty sure that sound cover it except for the whole bleeding procedure.

Shot
*brake :crazy:
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Re: Brake bleeding and brake fluid

Post by Neuk »

ROFL's at Howie :grin:

Relatively simple process, I had help when we did Fes' recently, I suggest getting help as it is a nightmare trying to do it yourself...
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Re: Brake bleeding and brake fluid

Post by Black&White »

Howie-WP wrote:
Black&White wrote:Hey bud. I beld my breaks this weekend. I'm not expert but something I do know is u should always bleed ur break furthest from ur "break fluid" pump or what ever. The polo's break fluid bottle sits on the right side of ur engine (steering wheel side). So in other words u should bleed ur left back, then right back, front left and last ur right calliper.

Also u should use DOT4 break fluid.

IMPORTANT: make sure ur bleeding nipple points upwards so that any air in the break lines can escape when being bled.

Need the bleeding procedure?

Anybody pls correct me if I'm wrong with anything, but I'm pretty sure that sound cover it except for the whole bleeding procedure.

Shot
*brake :crazy:
Ahhhh **** me. Can't believe I did that. This blady boertjie. MY BAD
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Re: Brake bleeding and brake fluid

Post by Duck »

If you have a VAG Com Cable you can bleed the brakes using the ABS pump. I did it this way on my SL. Otherwise get someone to sit inside the car pump the brake pedal hold, then you open the bleed nipple. It does not matter which wheel you bleed first.
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Re: Brake bleeding and brake fluid

Post by Torker »

When I did the brakes on my GT I had nobody to help me bleed it so I concocted the below out of an old Gardena spraybottle. the cap goes onto the reservoir, you pump up the pressure, open the bleed nipple and the old brakefluid comes out. Works a charm.

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Re: Brake bleeding and brake fluid

Post by VWicked »

Easy to do dude, let me know I will help you
Have you had your bottle of Hatorade today?

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Re: Brake bleeding and brake fluid

Post by Neuk »

That looks bloody useful...
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Re: Brake bleeding and brake fluid

Post by Neuk »

VWicked wrote:Easy to do dude, let me know I will help you
This isn't a CitiGolf, are you sure you can help?
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Re: Brake bleeding and brake fluid

Post by Sparkz0629 »

Neuk wrote:
VWicked wrote:Easy to do dude, let me know I will help you
This isn't a mk1, are you sure you can help?
fixxored :lol: :moon:
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Re: Brake bleeding and brake fluid

Post by joggiep »

Neuk wrote: I suggest getting help as it is a nightmare trying to do it yourself...
Or go to Midas and pay R80 for a little simple tool called an easy bleed !.. Works like a charm and one man opperation :wink:
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Re: Brake bleeding and brake fluid

Post by 2226cc »

Also need to do this at some point.

http://faculty.ccp.edu/faculty/dreed/ca ... /index.htm
http://www.instructables.com/id/A-DIY-P ... e-Bleeder/

You can get bleeders like this from retail or tool suppliers. They cost a stupid R1,500 for something like the Motive bleeder. Can get a decent pressure sprayer from most garden centres or hardwares for around R100 or even cheaper. I was even thinking just a container, a valve and bicycle pump would be fine to pressurize the bottle. I think don't overdo on the pressure though, it might affect seals, etc.

I was also looking at vacuum bleeders recently, but I understand there is plenty possibility of sucking air past the bleed nipple which will then head back into the system.

I tried easibleed, still got air in the lines, but that was when the drum brake cylinder popped apart as I removed the shoes. Might just have been my own rush-job stupidity.
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Re: Brake bleeding and brake fluid

Post by VWicked »

Neuk wrote:
VWicked wrote:Easy to do dude, let me know I will help you
This isn't a CitiGolf, are you sure you can help?
kwaa, lame response from a lame Catt...
Have you had your bottle of Hatorade today?

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Re: Brake bleeding and brake fluid

Post by Neuk »

VWicked wrote:
Neuk wrote:
VWicked wrote:Easy to do dude, let me know I will help you
This isn't a CitiGolf, are you sure you can help?
kwaa, lame response from a lame Catt...
You cut me deep, real deep...

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Re: Brake bleeding and brake fluid

Post by joggiep »

2226cc wrote:I tried easibleed, still got air in the lines, but that was when the drum brake cylinder popped apart as I removed the shoes. Might just have been my own rush-job stupidity.
IIRC you can adjust the little one way valve ... Might also be your issue.. mine works perfectly .. Used it om both the Jetta and the caddy .. have used it a few times to do the Hydro clutch on the Jetta.
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Re: Brake bleeding and brake fluid

Post by 2226cc »

joggiep wrote:
2226cc wrote:I tried easibleed, still got air in the lines, but that was when the drum brake cylinder popped apart as I removed the shoes. Might just have been my own rush-job stupidity.
IIRC you can adjust the little one way valve ... Might also be your issue.. mine works perfectly .. Used it om both the Jetta and the caddy .. have used it a few times to do the Hydro clutch on the Jetta.
The real problem is actually me trying to rush the job. These jobs always happen on a weekend and usually with more than one thing needed doing and all to be done by the next morning, etc, etc, etc. :roll:
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Re: Brake bleeding and brake fluid

Post by G-spot »

Gents, Thanks for the replies

What brake fluid should I use, I was told to use Ferodo Dot5 fluid, Apparently its a racing brake fluid??? Is this a good idea? Its about R100 a 500ml bottle and was told I would need 2?
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Re: Brake bleeding and brake fluid

Post by 2226cc »

No dot5 is silicone based. Do not mix with dot4.

I understand if you do want to use it you will need a complete brake system flush.

Use a good dot 4 or I think dot 5.1
I recall 3, 4 and 5.1 use the same base but 5 is completely different.

Maybe try and find ATE Super Blue DOT 4 racing fluid. It's on my wish list.
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Re: Brake bleeding and brake fluid

Post by mk2-phreak »

G-Spot wrote:Gents, Thanks for the replies

What brake fluid should I use, I was told to use Ferodo Dot5 fluid, Apparently its a racing brake fluid??? Is this a good idea? Its about R100 a 500ml bottle and was told I would need 2?
no

Use dot4 fluid
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Re: Brake bleeding and brake fluid

Post by G-spot »

mk2-phreak wrote:
G-Spot wrote:Gents, Thanks for the replies

What brake fluid should I use, I was told to use Ferodo Dot5 fluid, Apparently its a racing brake fluid??? Is this a good idea? Its about R100 a 500ml bottle and was told I would need 2?
no

Use dot4 fluid
Reason being? whats the difference between 'racing fluid' and normal? just the boiling temp?
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Re: Brake bleeding and brake fluid

Post by Torker »

G-Spot wrote:
mk2-phreak wrote:
G-Spot wrote:Gents, Thanks for the replies

What brake fluid should I use, I was told to use Ferodo Dot5 fluid, Apparently its a racing brake fluid??? Is this a good idea? Its about R100 a 500ml bottle and was told I would need 2?
no

Use dot4 fluid
Reason being? whats the difference between 'racing fluid' and normal? just the boiling temp?
Pimped from here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DOT_5
DOT 5 is one of several designations of automotive hydraulic brake fluid, denoting a particular mixture of chemicals imparting specified ranges of boiling point.

DOT 5 is a silicone-based brake fluid (contains at least 70% by weight of a diorgano polysiloxane[1]).

Unlike polyethylene glycol based fluids, it is hydrophobic. Its chief advantage over other forms of brake fluid is that silicone exhibits a more stable viscosity index in extreme temperatures. It is widely used in the antique automobile arena as well as it does not damage paint.

Using DOT 5 in a DOT 3 or DOT 4 system without proper flushing will cause damage to the seals and cause brake failure. DOT 5 brake fluid is not compatible with anti-lock brake systems. DOT 5 brake fluid absorbs a small amount of air requiring care when bleeding the system of air.
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Re: Brake bleeding and brake fluid

Post by lawrence »

I have been running with dot 5.1fluid in the polo for a long while now.

I survived a track day at Hesketh with no brake fade, running Ferodo premiums on standard diam vented and slotted discs, with braided lines so something 's got to be working.

They work hundreds in my normal every day traffic commute too.

I suppose the 'upgrade' is worthwhile if you intend on a lot of heavy braking?

Just my 2c


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