[T3] bleeding brakes question

[Dave Hall]

You can still get into trouble if the air gets round the bleed screw thread
itself - the less you need to open that, the better!

Dave
UK VW Type 3&4 Club
=================== 

-----Original Message-----
From: type3-vwtype3.org-bounces at lists.vwtype3.org
[mailto:type3-vwtype3.org-bounces at lists.vwtype3.org] On Behalf Of Know One
Sent: 02 August 2011 15:28
To: type3 at vwtype3.org
Subject: Re: [T3] bleeding brakes question

> I'm a little confused on the gravity
> system.  How do you get the air bubbles out?  Please explain the 
> procedure in a little more detail. I've always used a helper.

Have been a terrible brake bleeder in the past I finally found a process
that works for solo brake bleeding.

The key is to run the drain line from the bleeder -up- and then down to a
container. By having it up hill of the bleed valve, bubbles go -up- and away
from the valve. Bubbles at the end of the valve will be sucked back up into
the cylinder if the tube runs directly down.

By doing this you can press on the brake pedal without the need for a
helper.

I have confirmed this on my '64 Ford truck (which has lots more clearance
than a VW). I was under watching what happened when my son pressed on the
brakes and released with the bleeder tube heading up. It works great, there
is very little drawback into the cylinder on the pedal return, but it draws
fluid not air since the bubble went up and away from the valve. You do have
to wait a little for the bubbles to move up.

Be sure to keep an eye on the master cylinder reservoir.

Jeff '67 Sqbk - with great brakes, but a gas leak! however I'm on vacation
in Montana, so won't get to fixing for at least a week.
For those asking about the parts I found at a VW show, I won't have access
to anything until I return home.
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