Hi,

Hopefully a quick one. My bug seems to have developed a strange brake problem, air in the lines. I can't seem to work out why though. I bleed them and they're fine for a while and then they need bleeding again. No lose of fluid, no leaks that I can fine. Any ideas??

Cheers
Steve

Steve I don't know if this helps but I had a similar problem on a guys car I was fixing. In the end after lots of head scratching it turned out to be that rear brake slave was pushing out to far on the rear due the that fact the the shoes were adjusted incorrectly (and on there last legs) If you were to stop the pedal the car would pull up but if you were to keep your foot on the pedal then it would sink to the floor as the fuild weeped out the slave. Anyway best of luck

Have you tried changing the fluid? Are you sure it is air, and not water?

Check all your fittings and tighten if necessary, some times they suck air and wont allow fluid to escape...

where is your fluid reservoir

Thanks for the replies. First up I'm pretty sure there is no water in the system. I do get air bubbles when I bleed it. I'm going to replace the blled nipples as they're old and crappy and could possibly be leaking around them enough to let air in. I'm also going to replace the front lines as they're cruddy and may be the cause although I doubt it. I'll check everything else you guys suggested. Oh, and the reservoir is in the standard position for the 62, spare tire wheel. Rear shoes are pretty new but I'll check the wear anyway.

Cheers
Steve

Comments appreciated.

Steve

check to see if you have the small washer with and elongated hole in it under the rubber plug from the reservoir line

you have a single circuit master cylinder for a standard brake set up on a pre 67 beetle ??

I'm currently running disks on the front, 4 stud conversion on link pin beam. Drums on the back, again 4 stud. I still have the single circuit master cylinder (obviously not ideal with the disks) and that was to be the next step, swap this out for the dual circuit and add/modify the lines as required. I'll check on that washer in the meantime though. I think maybe the best solution right now is to go to the dual circuit, I defiantley will if it turns out to be a master cylinder problem.

I think my first step is to check everything you guys have said and if anything needs replacing go straight to the dual setup.

Cheers
Steve

Same prob. apparently as the brake lines get older, the rubber starts to collapse, and can swell, eventually leading to a bizarre valve-like effect. it can suck air, without leaking! i changed master cylinder, rear cylinders, front cylinders, and eventually the whole rear drums. seems the pulsating effect of having out of round drums added to my probs, cos now it's sweet. also had some lines replaced, damn. i hate sqwishy brakes.

I have had this problem on my 56...
i never solved th eproblem i just put the old brakes back on and it went away

I think that air is sucked into the system from the hose fittings cause there not tight enough.

I was replacing the Makio brakes on my car