Bleed kit recommendation

[Chiveroni]

Hi all

The list of improvement in Villanelle are slowly getting worked on. Anti-roll bar / drop link bushes about to get replaced along with leaky coolant header tank and front parking sensor.

Next up are my brakes. The pedal is quite spongy with a very long play. Maybe that's normal for a GTS but it's not reassuring. Inspection showed no problem with the mechanics so I'm wondering if it's air that needs to be bled. Does anyone use a pressure bleed kit that they would recommend before I go and buy one "unsighted"?

Thanks!

 

[jasst]

Clarke CHT857 Brake and Clutch Bleeding Kit - Machine Mart - Machine Mart

www.machinemart.co.uk

Works for me

 

[Sam McGoo]

Hi all

The list of improvement in Villanelle are slowly getting worked on. Anti-roll bar / drop link bushes about to get replaced along with leaky coolant header tank and front parking sensor.

Next up are my brakes. The pedal is quite spongy with a very long play. Maybe that's normal for a GTS but it's not reassuring. Inspection showed no problem with the mechanics so I'm wondering if it's air that needs to be bled. Does anyone use a pressure bleed kit that they would recommend before I go and buy one "unsighted"?

Thanks!

The pedal travel on these is very long (a bit too long I feel) but also nicely progressive. Unlike some other manufactures where it is like an On/Off switch! Somewhere in-between would be nice though.

It's something I wanted to change, but without going into master cylinder replacement etc, you're very limited on options.
I have found that a set of braided hoses with RBF600 fluid to firm the pedal up a bit , along with Ferrodo DS2500 Pads for a better initial bite, has given me more confidence and much prefer how it feels now.

Word of advise - make sure you put some penetrating fluid on all your calliper bleed nipples, especially the inner ones, well in advance of attempting to bleed them. And have a couple of spare replacements at the ready.

 

[allandwf]

I have something similar, as I am in the process of fabricating new brake lines for my 3200. (Bleed nipples all good, I think the rubber boots they have fitted helped.) I will let you know how I get on.

 

[urquattrogus]

I hate nearly all of them, I’ve had pressure bleeders, vacuum bleeders etc etc

Then what ends up being the best bleeding method after all of this faffing? Two people, one on the brake pedal, and the other collecting the fluid with something like an old milk bottle!

Pressure bleeder wise Sealey offer some good quality ones.

 

[allandwf]

It appears, getting a suitable cap/seal is an issue for some makes or variants of vehicles.

 

[Chiveroni]

The pedal travel on these is very long (a bit too long I feel) but also nicely progressive. Unlike some other manufactures where it is like an On/Off switch! Somewhere in-between would be nice though.

It's something I wanted to change, but without going into master cylinder replacement etc, you're very limited on options.
I have found that a set of braided hoses with RBF600 fluid to firm the pedal up a bit , along with Ferrodo DS2500 Pads for a better initial bite, has given me more confidence and much prefer how it feels now.

Word of advise - make sure you put some penetrating fluid on all your calliper bleed nipples, especially the inner ones, well in advance of attempting to bleed them. And have a couple of spare replacements at the ready.

Can you recommend a source of replacement bleed nipples? I'm guessing I don't need to go to EuroSpares and finance by selling my left kidney?

 

[conaero]

Bleeding brakes, yes, they should not be spongy.

We have a Sealey Pressure bleeder, we put it at 12-15psi then undo the furthest bleed nipple inner first then do the outer. Then the next furthest and so on.

If at the end you still have a spongy pedal you need to increase the pressure to 20 psi and have someone 'slowly' half press the pedal in tandem with the pressure bleeder and closing the nipple each time before the pedal is released. Again, half pedal and do it slowly.

We are always amazed at the amount of air that finally works its way out and how firm the pedal really should be:

Sealey VS820 Brake & Clutch Bleeding System | Euro Car Parts

Sealey VS820 Brake & Clutch Bleeding System at the lowest UK prices from Euro Car Parts UK’s No.1 for Car Accessories, Car Styling & Car Care. Buy today Online, In store or by Phone + Branches Nationwide – Next Day UK Free Delivery.

www.eurocarparts.com

 

[RodTungsten]

I wonder if putting the new fluid under vacuum for a while might help out-gas any lurking air?

 

[Sam McGoo]

Can you recommend a source of replacement bleed nipples? I'm guessing I don't need to go to EuroSpares and finance by selling my left kidney?

I had a couple of genuine brembo ones in my garage anyway and can't remember where they came from now.
But if I remember rightly they are brembo M10x1 bleed nipples, so have a Google and take your pick.

 

[Geo]

Bleeding brakes, yes, they should not be spongy.

We have a Sealey Pressure bleeder, we put it at 12-15psi then undo the furthest bleed nipple inner first then do the outer. Then the next furthest and so on.

If at the end you still have a spongy pedal you need to increase the pressure to 20 psi and have someone 'slowly' half press the pedal in tandem with the pressure bleeder and closing the nipple each time before the pedal is released. Again, half pedal and do it slowly.

We are always amazed at the amount of air that finally works its way out and how firm the pedal really should be:

Sealey VS820 Brake & Clutch Bleeding System | Euro Car Parts

Sealey VS820 Brake & Clutch Bleeding System at the lowest UK prices from Euro Car Parts UK’s No.1 for Car Accessories, Car Styling & Car Care. Buy today Online, In store or by Phone + Branches Nationwide – Next Day UK Free Delivery.

www.eurocarparts.com

That’s the same unit I used when bleeding my Maserati brakes and clutch.