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any tricks on bleeding the breaks?
Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 6:57 pm
by neb_scot
Im definitely going to have to bleed my breaks soon. Its not a problem to bleed them in general - my problem is getting the darned bleed nipples to turn. Ive never, ever had luck with any car doing this. Its always resulted in having to replace the cylinder or caliper.
So, prior to jumping in to that fun, I thought I would reach out and see if any more experienced guys would happen to have any knowledge to impart...
I have no idea how long its been since the would have been serviced. The previous owner did nothing to the B2 the entire time he owned it - except top the fluids...
Re: any tricks on bleeding the breaks?
Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2009 4:49 pm
by clem
start soaking the penetrating oil to them a day or so before you go to bleed them, a little heat may help just remember , just a little!

Re: any tricks on bleeding the breaks?
Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2009 5:13 pm
by neb_scot
so here comes my dumb question - Ive never heard of "soaking the penetrating oil". Maybe my UK heritage is limiting me in understanding this? I thought the only fluid the nipples come into contact with is the break fluid. Are you talking about soaking the nipple with WD40?
Sorry if Im way missing the point here - feel free to smack me
Re: any tricks on bleeding the breaks?
Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2009 5:26 pm
by tekatlarge
What ya do is go get a spray can of PB Blaster, a penetrating lubricant. You spray the lube around the outside of the screw where it goes into the caliper or cylinder. Let the lube soak in for a day or two. Then use a six point socket or a box end wrench on the bleeder screw.
Re: any tricks on bleeding the breaks?
Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2009 1:14 pm
by clem
My redneck English, sorry. A friend just moved here from England and we hit little language barriers all the time. I should be more clear, Tekatlarge translated well. Thanks

Re: any tricks on bleeding the breaks?
Posted: Thu Mar 19, 2009 1:44 pm
by chucknti
Ive always found pb blaster to work the best for me it helped me get rusted exhaust bolts out.
Re: any tricks on bleeding the breaks?
Posted: Thu Mar 19, 2009 2:16 pm
by neb_scot
yeah, I went and got a tin and have started spraying the nipples regulary in preparation (I keep having to put off the actual event...)
I was ASTOUNDED at how quick it got the crap out! In all my time in the Scotland I never saw an off the shelf product like that....