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Brisbane- Beetle Brakes - help needed to bleed
psimitar - February 21st, 2011 at 11:21 PM

Can someone please come and figure my Beetles brakes out.

Brand new brakes all round including dual MC and solid brake lines, wheel cylinders etc.

The Pedal goes hard but the wheels can still be turned with only moderate brake drag being felt. I've done everything I can think of and need someone knowledgable in VW's to get it to work.

Will pay for your time.

Cheers,
Mike

68AutoBug - February 22nd, 2011 at 12:35 AM



Hi
Once You have drained the brake circuit on a beetle , You can have lots of problems....
I have heard of people bleeding the master cylinder on the bench?? How You do this is beyond Me.. lol

it took Me probably 4 bottles of brake fluid when i did My brakes... maybe more... lol

You need to have the rear brake cylinders above the master cylinder so all the air will flow to the back and out the bleeders - let it sit for 1/2 an hour or so..
so, I've been told by a brake mechanic...

also, bleed the master cylinder.... air will go to the top or will stay in a crevice etc... or near a brake switch....

maybe pressure bleeding will work better..??

flowing brake fluid should take air with it...!!

best of luck

LEE

ian.mezz - February 22nd, 2011 at 02:51 PM

if you didn't replace the rubber hose they are probably blocked with shit.
or your master cylinder push rod is over adjusted.

66brm - February 22nd, 2011 at 03:01 PM

Ok first off, adjust your brakes so they drag a touch with the park brake off,bleed both circuits of the master cylinder then start bleeding from the rear left, then rear right, front left and front right. Use the pressure method, regularly check the fluid level and top up. Adjust your hand brake, then take it for a slow drive if possible to bed in the new shoes, when you get home adjust your brakes again, they will be out a bit due to the shoes moving and bedding into the drums.

Aussie Dubbin - February 22nd, 2011 at 04:17 PM

Make sure you use a one way valve on the nipple end. saves any bleed back issues.

grumble - February 22nd, 2011 at 07:30 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by ian.mezz
if you didn't replace the rubber hose they are probably blocked with shit.
or your master cylinder push rod is over adjusted.

x2. Normally we bleed the master cylinder prior to fitting and also the wheel cylinders,fit them to the car,open the bleeder with a tube going up above the cylinder,let the fluid gravity flow and then a bout 6 slow strokes,hold the pedal down and close the bleeder.continue to the next wheel.Usually the longest line and consecutive to R/H/F.If you still have trouble you you can block 3 lines with line crimps to isolate the wheel with the problem & bleed accordingly.