Im trying to bleed my brakes now. Caliper have been rebuilt. I have not switched to Stainless Steel Lines, as suggested by many, but wanted to test thing out. However when trying to bleed the brakes I do not seem to be able to build any pressure with at my brake pedal. I can pump. The fluid does seem to go down some and I refill. But the brake pedal still goes to the floor. Do I just keep pumping the pedal until the pressure builds up. I checked and do not seem to have any leaks any where. Any suggestions.
Brake Bleeding
- Thread starter kys911t
- Start date
Don and others, wondering what you think of this. I have a pressure bleeder and had some trouble bleeding the brakes on my E46 after I rebuilt the calipers. The shop I took it to said that they sometimes had to put the callipers on tight to prevent the seals from pulling the pistons back too far. The owner of the shop said that this was a practice they did on the 4 piston E9's back in the day. Anyway, after extensive bleeding did not give me the pedal feel I was after they did this on my E46 and the pedal travel is excellent. Ever heard of this?
Has anyone tried making a Pressure Bleeder. I found this and it seems very simple and easy enough to make. Any thoughts.
http://www.bmw-m.net/TechProc/bleeder.htm
http://www.bmw-m.net/TechProc/bleeder.htm
That is more or less my Bleeder, but I bought mine. I did use the Help part number for my cap as mine came with a Universal adapter that does not work on BMWs.
Yep, I made one of those. Could never get the cap to seal, threw it out. I bought a real one for less than $50.
johanaxelson
Well-Known Member
One more vote for a bleeder, makes life so much easier. Also helps with the clutch, or rather essential for the clutch. Difficult without it.
Also keep in mind the right order on the front calipers. I will not type it here in case I mix it up but you can search for it.
Also keep in mind the right order on the front calipers. I will not type it here in case I mix it up but you can search for it.
I know this may be a dumb question, but which model bleeder did you get?
The $55 one
If you don't have/want a pressure bleeder, I understand one has to bleed the master cylinder AFTER you have bled each corner. This means loosening each brake line one at a time at the master (depress pedal, look for bubbles, tighten connection, release pedal, repeat as necessary) to expel air trapped in the master. It's messy, and a PITA, but it has worked for me. Also a good idea to have a beer afterwards...
Before I make any mistakes. Are there anythings that I should look out for. I put the pressure bleeder and tested the system to 10psi. Does not seem to have any leaks anywhere. How much fluid is necessary to put into the tank of the bleeder, it says up to 2 qts but that seems to be quite a bit. The depressurizing and removal of excess fluid seems a bit tricky. Anything I should look out for, or I'm I make this a much bigger deal than it really is. Any suggestions are appreciated. Thanks
I tried bleeding this evening. Did the test to see if there are any leaks. Put the brake fluid in the tank and then got the pressure up to 15psi. Started at the right rear. nothing. I get nothing out of the bleed nozzels on the brakes. None except the right front. Any suggestions. It late now so quitting for the evening. Tomorrow I'm going to try disconnecting the lines from the brakes and see if there is any fluid at these points. Clogged brake lines. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Do you still have the original rubber brake lines on your car? If so, they could be constricted...over time (years) the fluid causes the lines to expand and ergo they constrict inside. Happened on my '74 a couple of years ago.
I bled my brakes a while ago with the original brake lines on back had very little flow - a trickle. Replaced recently with stainless steel lines and the fluid flows like crazy and the brakes work much better.