Brake Bleeding after 288 fitting

[mic_VR 3]

Question for all those with the 288 or 312 front brake upgrade using the callipers from the late mk3 golf (ATE callipers?)

 

Does anyone know what the piston seal size should be?

 

I'm refurbing mine at the moment but have two options for the new seals, 54mm and 57mm. I've measured the actual piston and it appears to be about 54mm diameter so Ithought that would be the logical size but ....... I'm also doing my rears (mk4 type) and the pistons on those are about 38mm but the seal is 40mm and the piston actually has 40mm stamped on it whereas the mk3 pistons don't have anything stamped on it......

 

Any help much appreciated as usual. :notworthy:

 

*edit* now a bleeding problem! :norty: :grin:

[Supercharged 2]

54 mate - should be stamped on the caliper...

[Jim Bowen 1]

i have a set of the seals etc bought for late mk3 golf vr, i said highline to them as well in the store, so they are the 288's

 

i added some info here

 

http://www.vagweb.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=7234

 

:D

[mic_VR 3]

i have a set of the seals etc bought for late mk3 golf vr, i said highline to them as well in the store, so they are the 288's

 

i added some info here

 

http://www.vagweb.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=7234

 

:D

 

nice one mate, and in your first pic you can clearly see 54 stamped on the calliper... doh! how did i miss that on mine? :cuckoo:

 

Repair kits now ordered. :D

[mic_VR 3]

For those wanting replacment calliper seals etc try here http://www.partsforvolvosonline.com/

 

I know they're Volvo suppliers but the ATE, Girling and Lucas callipers are the same and this company were on the money for service, rang at 1pm ish and just had a phonecall to say the parts will be with me first thing tomorrow. :D

[mic_VR 3]

Right I've finally got off my backside and spent the weekend fitting my 288's and mk4 rear (goodridges all round no less :wink: )

 

Everything is on, and all appears to be working fine except the brake peddle travels all the way to the floor when you try to brake. As such I've had to abandon it at my parents place as I need to be at work tomorrow and I thought I'd pic the brains of you lovely people.

 

Basically it feels like the system is full of air but I've bled the system TWICE today,

 

Firstly using the usual method with an ezibleed kit and the method recommended in the Bentley manual. A few bubbles of air but then just clear fluid (passed over 2 litres of Dot 4 through the system)

I have also bled the abs and master cylinder to no effect.

 

Then, having spoken to Mr Supercharged, I also rebled the system with the handbrake unattached and using a higher pressure on the ezibleed kit. A bit more air, couple of large bubbles, and the peddle felt nice and firm. But as soon as the engine is running I've got hardly any braking.

 

Basically, anyone got any ideas??

 

Cheers, Mic

 

p.s. Anyone know what position the rear bias valve should be in when it is completely open??

[oxfordpaul 0]

I'd like to see thoughts on this too after at least 7 attempts to bleed mine...

[Toad 0]

Have you bled the ABS pump and master cylinder? They make a massive difference. if you have.... Try standing hard on the brake peddle and get a chum to crack a nipple open, that might help move the air.

 

The bias valve is right up when it's fully open... basically the way the spring pulls it.

 

The air might work its way out the pipes overnight too. Whatever happens, get it fixed so we can start on the box early Saturday ;)

[CrazyDave 0]

As Toad said above really.

 

I had mega trouble getting all the air out of mine. In the end I had the ezibleed connected with a friend putting lots of pressure on the pedal, then cracked the calipers open until the pedal was down. The rush of fluid seems to clear the airlocks fine and it's amazing just how much air is left in. After a few goes the pedal was great. We had the whole car in the air on stands, was much easier in the long run.

 

It's even better now with the 288's on :D

[mic_VR 3]

So basically it looks like I've been a bit to fluffy with my bleeding? Need to get the ezibleed kit on and give the pedal a good pump? The corrado likes it rough eh! :?

 

The bias valve is right up when it's fully open... basically the way the spring pulls it.

 

The air might work its way out the pipes overnight too. Whatever happens, get it fixed so we can start on the box early Saturday ;)

 

Also looks like my bias valve is currently in the closed position....... bum! :|

 

And don't worry Toad, I'll be there with bells on.

 

Cheers for the info guys, I'll let you know how it goes tonight. :notworthy:

[Jim Bowen 1]

what disks and pads did you get for the front?, i should get mine on really

 

but still need to get bits, where your calipers from a golf? what hoses do you need to order?

[dinkus 10]

And don't worry Toad, I'll be there with bells on.

 

Sounds like I might be coming along to "help" a bit too... have you got all the parts you need and/or want me to get you anything from TPS?

 

what disks and pads did you get for the front?, i should get mine on really

 

I'd go for VAG disks and some Mintex C-Tech (M1144)s.

[Jim Bowen 1]

if i order from gsf is it? is that VW stuff?

[dinkus 10]

if i order from gsf is it? is that VW stuff?

 

Er, don't think so. The disks from VAG are £40+VAT from VAG, £30+VAT if you've got a TPS account.

[mic_VR 3]

Right I'm off home to try bleeding this car again, hopefully for the last time! :)

 

3corsameal, I'll be doing a whole write up for the 288 conversion and mk4 rear conversion with part numbers etc.... if they'll let me! But basically mine are mk3 golf calipers and I got plain brembo discs from gsf for £28+vat each and some Redstuff pads :D

 

Dinkus, looking forward to our weekend exploits. Think I've got everything but hopefully I'll be speaking to Toad later just to confirm exactly what we need, then I'll be in touch if needs be.

 

Lastly, just rolling things around in my mind, i've been bleeding the ABS and master cylinders just using the ezibleed.... should i be pumping the peddle as well?

 

(this is the worst car I've ever bled! :lol: )

[dinkus 10]

I know nothing about bleeding brakes, but um... aren't redstuff pads for track use only? I'm sure they need to be rather toasty before they do anything useful so might be a bit hairy first thing in the morning! :?

[steve @ 0]

Red stuff pads are fine, its the yellow stuff which are track pads.

[KADVR6 0]

with the ezibleed make sure you have loads of air in the spare tyre your using, you will notice how much easier it is when you put 40psi in the tyre.

[dinkus 10]

Red stuff pads are fine, its the yellow stuff which are track pads.

 

Ahh ok, my bad.

[mic_VR 3]

Right, well having spent about 2.5 hours trying to bleed this car again this evening I now have 'some' brakes. The bite and stop the car ok ish but there is still loads of travel in the pedal and I certainly don't want to drive it to far like this. :(

 

So my next plan is to leave it for a few days with a vw specialist in northampton owned by a friend of mine and he is going to have a look at it using the proper vw pressure bleeder.

 

I know nothing about bleeding brakes, but um... aren't redstuff pads for track use only? I'm sure they need to be rather toasty before they do anything useful so might be a bit hairy first thing in the morning! :?

 

Don't worry Dom, Dangers my middle name! 8)

[Toad 0]

Don't worry Dom, Dangers my middle name! 8)

 

Msn me up Danger... I need to find out what bits you need....

[Jim Bowen 1]

i'd like to know the outcome, and what the problem turns out to be. Am going to attempt mine this month and have been put off now :(

[oxfordpaul 0]

My garage suggested a leaking master cylinder caused by the seals becoming inverted - due to the fact that he used a high pressure bleed system which forces fluid into the reservoir and back through the system in thw wrong direction. Does this sound possible and would bad seals give a soft pedal similar to air in the system?

[mic_VR 3]

Well my dad got it back from the garage this evening and apparently it 'ok' but not perfect. Great, that'll help as I'm hurtling towards the kid thats just stepped out from behind a car! :mad2:

 

So what's next? as oxfordpaul has suggested I guess the next step is seeing if it's the mastercylinder..... if it is that it was fine saturday morning when I started.... :(

 

Going to pick the car up tomorrow night so I'll be able to tell just how bad it is then and I'll have to make the decision as to whether I'm happy driving it around or not.

 

Can the mastercylinder be repaired or is it a new item??

[Supercharged 2]

Mic, i'd try and drive it round a bit if you can, as I said on the phone it will feel a bit strange if you have changed pads and discs all round at the same time...