Handbrake issue 1.4tdi 90

I'll try bleeding again...I'm a complete novice on this and it may be that I waited on the fluid flow stopping before I tightened which is incorrect I believe? I should tighten with the fluid coming out to avoid air in the system?
 
Tighten the bleed screw with the reservoir top off and the brake pedal held down.


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Not going to argue with that as I'd say the same tbh. I've avoided trying to tackle certain jobs in the past and this is one of those but I'm having to be braver as the jobs pile up. I'm simply trying to keep the car viable and tackle jobs where I think I can...however I will admit when tackling brake calipers I may have bitten off more than I can handle. My rear brake was seized so quite frankly the way I look at it is that I've attempted it but I'm in no worse a position.

Thanks all for input.
 
It's the only way to learn and quite frankly what this forum exists for, helping us all keep our motors on the road and avoid horrendous garage bills!! Well done for trying, I feel your very close to success just revisit the bleeding stage, gravity alone is often not enough
 
So trying to bleed with the vizibleed kit and had limited success - spongy pedal combined with not very much in the way of brake fluid movement into the vizibleed from the newly installed caliper. Its starting to move then goes back in.

Is there something i can do to improve things or have I potentially introduced a new issue - ie master cylinder?
 
You are a braver man than I am Scott. I did the brake fluid change and looked at the master cylinder and then got frightened and just left it alone…

Good luck. You can do it!!!


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Howey said:
Pressure bleeder
Click to expand...

Any recommendations on what i could try? Or maybe someone could lend me one for a quick shot?

Graham suggested I may be able to try and use the servo if I'm VERY careful not to push the brake pedal beyond normal operation and limit presses...I'm not overly happy doing this but I could try this as a last resort method I guess.

For sure I've bled from the opposite side wheel without issue so I'm guessing there's quite a bit of air at that side i need to expunge.
 
Pressure bleeders can be had for around £30 so first brake fluid change they pay for themselves.

If you don't want to buy one you could ask a local garage if they could do it for you
 
Howey said:
Pressure bleeders can be had for around £30 so first brake fluid change they pay for themselves.

If you don't want to buy one you could ask a local garage if they could do it for you
Click to expand...
I've not got an issue spending 30 on the right kit just I'm finding pricing and detail varies massively. I dont want to spend the money then find what I've bought isnt much better than what I bought already :)
 
cheechy said:
I've not got an issue spending 30 on the right kit just I'm finding pricing and detail varies massively. I dont want to spend the money then find what I've bought isnt much better than what I bought already :)
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Sealey vs820

First result came out at £26! Its the tool of the trade!
 
Howey said:
Sealey vs820

First result came out at £26! Its the tool of the trade!
Click to expand...

Excellent cheers - although I cant find one either in stock or below 50 quid :) i think you may have found an adapter for the vs820 rather than the vs820 itself :D

I'l have a search around and see what i can dig up - I guess even at 50 it may be a worthwhile investment
 
My dadinlaw(ish) swears by the Gunson Easibleed. Spare tyre supplies the pressure, screw on the right size of adaptor cap and away he goes…

I’ve never tried it myself but he seems happy with it.


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cheechy said:
Excellent cheers - although I cant find one either in stock or below 50 quid :) i think you may have found an adapter for the vs820 rather than the vs820 itself :D

I'l have a search around and see what i can dig up - I guess even at 50 it may be a worthwhile investment
Click to expand...
Sorry yes I am a fool!!

Although ebay has one with collection bottle for £43.59 so pretty good still!
 
Howey said:
Sorry yes I am a fool!!

Although ebay has one with collection bottle for £43.59 so pretty good still!
Click to expand...
No worries thanks for the steer - I do now think though its time to stop. I'll rebuild the old OEM caliper and let a mechanic take over as I think I made a mistake by clamping the rear pipe not knowing it was rubber coated steel - i think I've caused the issue by restricting fluid flow.

I've learned and can confirm on Alex's question above - the fine line has been crossed firmly in this instance :D
 
ok so I lied. I kept going and did a few things:

  1. Refurbed the original caliper with new compression seal, boot and piston.
  2. Reinstalled said caliper and replaced non-OEM one that had a malfunctioning handbrake....it just wouldnt engage. I had thought there was an issue with the handbrake cable itself but reinstalling the original caliper fixed it right away.
  3. I bled the whole car again front to back this time and flow to the back left increased but not great so decided to take the car for a spin
  4. I got a lot of the servo back but brake was still spongy...took decision to emergency brake so that ABS would kick in and free air as I was convinced that I had air trapped in there. After this I had to nurse the car back to the drive as air had been released back into the brakes and the rear back left seized back on again!
  5. Bled the brake from back left round in order to front and got great fluid flow from all and lots of air.
  6. Brakes appear fixed - pedal feels better than ever.
Next job is to bleed the slave cylinder..and I'll plan in rear brake pipe change. Possibly track someone down local with full VCDS to ensure all air is out of the ABS but i dont really think this bit is 100% necessary tbh.

Went round car again and I dont appear to have any leaks or weeps anywhere - at least so far.

Just to say massive thanks to everyone who chipped in with help - particularly @audifan who must have spent a long time replying and giving me advice via PM in the background. In reality I didn't really want to be doing this work as I have to admit not feeling massively confident on this level of brake work but given the nature of the brake failure and potential for calling in mechanics who wouldnt be able to fix the brakes there and then I felt I had to give it a go.

Lots of lessons learnt on the way!
 
You were always going to give it another go!

Audifan and others have been a real source of valuable information to many - no shame in asking for help. Look at ALL my posts.

Congratulations you tenacious devil!


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