any tips?

[bill]

hi, back working on the car my daughter has been over from america. hope to bleed the brakes soon. has anyone any tips or things I should look out for when bleeding the brakes, do I start at the back? also is dot fluid ok . to use on the lancia braking system?

thank you.

bill.

[chugga boom]

silicone fluid is the best to use , i usually disconect the load compensating valve from the back axle and wedge it fully open ( move lever up) to give maximum fluid flow to rear brakes, most brake systems you start at the furthest bleed nipple from the master cylender (nsr) then osr then ns front and finish os front always worked for me, also sometimes if the system is completely dry its is possible that if left over night the pedal can become spongy again due to the fluid becoming airated when pumped through, dont panic just bleed 1 more time, hope this works for you jp

[lancialulu]

I agree with James - Silicone fluid is best but generally I only swop to it after reconditioning all the seals on calipers and master cylinder and fitting copper brake pipes.

James' sequence is good but it takes for ever for the fluid to get through to the back and not fast to the front, and if over keen on the brake pedal can get not pressure at all. I have been thinking about this so rigged up my own version of a Gunson's easi bleed with about 10psi air line connected to the master cylinder using an old plastic jerry can nozzel, and hey presto simple bleeding without need of the wife!

Tim

[ian]

Bled mine on my own with a gunsons, used a load of fluid, just to make sure that I cleared out all of the old. Had no problems, just be methodical. Can you mix silicone with the old stuff?  i just used the normal stuff and my brakes are great now .

[Neil Lewis]

I agree, the Gunson's Easibleed is a brilliant device.  Having an assistant to pump the pedal is bot inconvenient and can actually cause problems if not done exactly right.

Neil

[fay66]

Really great piece of kit, I've had mine about 40 years! just make sure the tyre pressure isn't too high, as I remember the plastic reservoirs bulging out like balloons a bit disconcerting to say the least.


Brian
8227

[Scott]

Yes, your brake fluid will be 'DOT' ... it's the number following it that's relevant.
The older DOT4 is a fluid based around glycol; the newer DOT5 around silicone. The two will not mix so don't go there.
Silicone is known to attack some older style rubber components - that is why Tim has made the valid suggestion of swapping seals.
Personally if you're just interested in bleeding rather than a complete brake system overhaul I'd say you should stick with DOT4.

I wholeheartedly endorse the Gunson's Easibleed. For little expense this saves a lot of effort if you're doing this on your own.

My only other tip is put penetrating fluid on the bleed nipples a good 24 hours before you think of doing this job. It's all too easy to round off the bleed nipples' small 'hex' profile - or worse 'sheer' off the nipple completely. You will then have to resort to drilling it out. Not wanting to scare you ... just passing on hard won experience!!!