300M: Bleeding brake system

Is it ok to bleed fluid out the bleeder screw while someone is
pressing on the brake pedal (and tighten the screw before they let up
on the pedal) and repeat it 1/2 dozen times, and do this on all 4
wheels - or is there more to it then that?

What about back-feeding new fluid through the bleeder and siphon the
excess out of the master reservoir?

 

Just make sure to add fluid to the reservoir as needed so you don't
introduce new air into the lines. Push a clear plastic tube (dumping
into a jar) onto the bleeder and keep doing it until it runs clear.

The books say to start at the longest line and work your way to the
shortest (or is it the other way around), but I'm not sure why that
would make a difference.

Not familiar with that - someone else can comment on that.

Bill Putney
(to reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
address with "x")

 

Getting a small jar and hose is so cheap and easy, so why not do it the
right way?

 

Thats the way to do it. Get a brake bleeder kit from the "HELP"
section at your parts store (just a piece of hose and a bottle
really). Don't let the master cylider run dry and you'll be fine.
Start passenger rear then driver rear followed by passenger front and
driver front.

Steve B.

 

Since no one has mentioned it,, watch how far you press on the brake pedal,,
you don't want to go past your normal pedal travel when braking ie.. don't
push way down and let up,,... Lots of junk gets built up at the end of the
normal master cylinder braking travel. If you decide to push it all the way
down in your efforts, you will probably be replacing the master cylinder in
short order as all that gunk will scratch up the rubber and the cylinder
walls..

Be prepared this takes a lot more fluid than you think a couple wheel
cylinders and some brake line,, it will surprise you. I don't have an idea
of how much your car will hold perhaps someone else could comment on that.

Get some help,, take your time.

Ted

 

One more thought: Only use fresh previously un-opened containers of
brake fluid. Containers that have been previously opened and sitting
can collect moisture just like your car's system - which is one of the
main reasons you're flushing it now. IOW, one of the steps in
preparation are to buy probably two medium size containers of fluid (or
one large one) - it's pretty inexpensive.

Bill Putney
(to reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
address with "x")

 

This can also be accompished by using a hand operated vaccum pump(mityvac
etc.).