Bleeding Brakes

[Daeths]

Hi there. Posting on behalf of my father who has a W124 E280, 1994 (lovely car).

He is going to change the brake fluid in the system and my question is there anything specific to look out for, do you need anything specialist in terms of tools and will anything need to be reset.

Or, in short is a good old fashioned simple job of reservoir cap off, bleed kit attached and off you go.

Appreciate any thoughts.

Thx

Adam

 

[television]

Nothing special with the brakes, one liter should allow 9 pumps to the rear and 5 to the front.

Thats it

 

[Daeths]

Thx for your reply Malcolm. Less cash for the Stealer (hurrah for this forum !!)

Rgds

Adam

 

[kth286]

Standard proceedure unles it has ASR anti skid system.

Does it have ASR ?

 

[wireman]

As a little extra,
push back the caliper pistons with the bleed nipples open and change the fluid which actualy does the work of applying the brakes.
You should do the bleeding according to the correct sequence, rear first, LH front then RH front. If you have an emptysystem or air in the system you must follow the sequence or there may be a tiny air bubble left in the master cylinder, between its two pistons.

 

[Daeths]

Thx wireman, good tip. Will provide pops with the helping hand this weekend.

Rgds

Adam

 

[barch]

As a little extra,
push back the caliper pistons with the bleed nipples open and change the fluid which actualy does the work of applying the brakes.
You should do the bleeding according to the correct sequence, rear first, LH front then RH front. If you have an emptysystem or air in the system you must follow the sequence or there may be a tiny air bubble left in the master cylinder, between its two pistons.

LH? RH? Going to takcle this today and thought I'd look for advice but, which is LH? Offside or Nearside?
cheers

 

[television]

LH is the near side in the UK

 

[ianstaley]

I thought all mercs brakes were pressure bled?

 

[television]

I thought all mercs brakes were pressure bled?

One has the choice, pressure bleeding is much kinder to the master cylinder

 

[kth286]

LH? RH? Going to takcle this today and thought I'd look for advice but, which is LH? Offside or Nearside?
cheers

All references to left or right, should be as if sitting in the drivers seat looking forward.

 

[barch]

Foot to floor and very little braking is the result.
Mind you, y other half was dpressing the pedal, only very slightly so it would appear I've let more air in than out.

Will try again on monday.

 

[S.Speed]

Foot to floor and very little braking is the result.
Mind you, y other half was dpressing the pedal, only very slightly so it would appear I've let more air in than out.

Will try again on monday.

And it came to pass that God sent forth the pressure bleeding kit..
And God saw that it was good..

I think they are ****** good as well..
get one.. It will save your marriage !

 

[EmilysDad]

And it came to pass that God sent forth the pressure bleeding kit..
And God saw that it was good..

I think they are ****** good as well..
get one.. It will save your marriage !

Agreed ..... on all counts! ;-)

 

[S.Speed]

This is the exact gadget I have..
I have used it on all my Mercs and the VW's before them..
Fabulous piece of kit that makes bleeding braked very easy and drama free...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sealey-VS820-Clutch-Bleeding-System/dp/B000ROARTI/ref=cm_cr_pr_sims_t

You can get cheaper ones that connect to a spare tyre.. You have to deflate the tyre to a max of 20 psi first (Then re inflate afterwards !!).

 

[EmilysDad]

This is the exact gadget I have..
I have used it on all my Mercs and the VW's before them..
Fabulous piece of kit that makes bleeding braked very easy and drama free...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sealey-VS820-Clutch-Bleeding-System/dp/B000ROARTI/ref=cm_cr_pr_sims_t

You can get cheaper ones that connect to a spare tyre.. You have to deflate the tyre to a max of 20 psi first (Then re inflate afterwards !!).

I've never seen one of them before! Looks like the love child of a garden sprayer & a Gunson's brake bleed kit! (which is what I have)

 

[barch]

I had another go this evening. Really getting very little fluid out. I had the missus pumping slowly to the floor whilst I had the valve open. Tightened it and had here release the pedal. Lots of air in the system and after loads of pumping, still nothing or very little. So not sure whats going on. Should I just keep going unitl the fluid is horsing on thru?

 

[klenzza]

I had another go this evening. Really getting very little fluid out. I had the missus pumping slowly to the floor whilst I had the valve open.

your doing it wrong m8

 

[television]

I had another go this evening. Really getting very little fluid out. I had the missus pumping slowly to the floor whilst I had the valve open. Tightened it and had here release the pedal. Lots of air in the system and after loads of pumping, still nothing or very little. So not sure whats going on. Should I just keep going unitl the fluid is horsing on thru?

Why not buy a 1 man bleeding kit, only about £4, it a 1 way valve, you push the tube over the bleed nipple and put the other end in a jar with a little fluid in it, the just undo the bleed nipple and give the 4 pumps on each front and 8 on each rear and job done

 

[S.Speed]

IF.. I repeat IF you decide on a pressure bleeding kit then 1 thing to do that's recommended is that you drain the majority of the master cylinder reservoir of fluid.
The idea of this is that your reservoir is more or less full of new fluid that will push out the old fluid through the narrow tubes..

I think they are saying that the new fluid doesn't dilute with the old fluid in the reservoir..
I know when I do mine I press the brake pedal fully down just once and release slowly.. My thinking is that the new fluid will get everywhere and leave no hidden channels of old fluid..
I posted this advice once before on another forum and was greeted with "You will nacker your master cylinder seals blah blah blah"..
Errrr Wake up!.. What on Earth do you think you will be doing dozens of times if you bleed the old 2 man way ???