Bleeding brakes for the first time, basic info needed

[Papagut]

Hi there,

I am about to flush out my brake fluid for the first time. I have a fairly good handle on the procedure, but have a few questions.

1) order: I understand it to be rear right, left rear, front right, front left - outside caliper of each first.

2) amount of fluid to draw out: my main question. When drawing the fluid, I have read a few posts saying it was sometimes difficult to tell when the new fluid was all the way through the system. I have a graded resevoir, so I was hoping someone would be able to give me an approximation of the amount of old fluid that will come from each caliper to ensure that the fresh fluid is all the way through. Please indicate how much from each wheel and then each caliper if you can - for example: right rear, pull 200 ml from outside, 25 ml from inside, second wheel... I have a liter of the fresh fluid.

3) any other locations to flush: I am planning to draw fluid from each wheel, but nowhere else.

4) pumping the brake: I am planning to draw the fluid through the system using a handheld pump at around 20 PSI refilling the resevoir after each caliper. I am doing the job by myself, so was not planning to pump the brake. Am I making a mistake and leaving a pool of old fluid in the system someplace?

I think that's it - I know its going to be pretty basic stuff for a lot of you, but this is new to me, and I want to do it right the first time. Thanks a lot.

[hahnmgh63]

I highly recommend the Motive Power bleeder, it has a pump on the resevoir so it will always keep your Master cylinder full and has a pressure gauge on it, around $50~$60. 20psi is max, closer to 15psi is probably better. Just use a clear piece of hose or a purpose made bleeder hose (available from many auto parts stores) on your brake caliper bleeder screw. You will see the fluid change from a dirty or brown/black color to a more clear or blue or ..... color depending on the fluid you use. Porsche has gone to a DOT 5.1 (not to be confused with the Silicone based DOT 5) fluid but any quality DOT 4 or Dot 5.1 fluid is fine, stick to a name brand: Motul, ATE, AP, Castrol, etc... I probably overbleed mine when I do the job and use close to 2qts, it can be done with less but they are big calipers and I hate to leave any dirty fluid in the system.

Edited August 26, 2012 by hahnmgh63