BMW 2002 FAQ - Pressure Bleeders / brakes

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Thread Topic: Pressure Bleeders / brakes

Date: 7-23-08 03:36
From: Gaillimh

Subject: Pressure Bleeders / brakes

Hello,
this is my first post, I joined about an hour ago. I bought a 1972 2002 last year. I didn't drive it much during the winter and this spring the brakes went. Very mushy with no stopping power. I brought it to a 'friend of a friend' who has restored a 2002 in the past. He said the master cylinder needed replacing and he changed it out. He changed out some other bits as well.
He says the brakes need to be bled with a pressure bleeder.
My question is, are pressure bleeders necessary it can it be done another way? The reason I ask is he has tried to find one but it seems very hard. He wants to trailer the car and drive a few hours away to have them bled. I have to think there must be a easier way.

thanks
Steve

Date: 7-23-08 04:00 From: dtortoise9 Subject: Re: Pressure Bleeders / brakes
Here you go:http://www.bavauto.com/shop.asp

Date: 7-23-08 04:03
From: MAD02 in the rusty 02

Subject: Re: Pressure Bleeders / brakes

Welcome to the addiction Steve! When I replaced my brake calipers on my 02 I tried to bleed them by pumping the brake pedal and letting the fluid out. Didnt work all to well. Its also not good for the master cylinder. I then purchased Bavauto's pressure bleeder and it made a world of difference. I was also able to bleed the brake system myself, with no help. Yes, its alittle pricey, but it made the job very easy and mess free. Good luck!

http://www.bavauto.com/shop.asp

Date: 7-23-08 04:48 From: Jerzy Subject: Do-t-youself bleeder -
Under $25- http://www.bmw-m.net/TechProc/bleeder.htm

Date: 7-23-08 04:49 From: Grover in El Cerrito, CA Subject: Re: Pressure Bleeders / brakes
The pressure bleeders are indeed nice, but people survived for many years without them. Without one, the job is much easier if you have an assistant who can either do the pumping or the opening/closing of the bleeder screws. Do you have a 2002 maintenance book?

Date: 7-23-08 05:09 From: Gaillimh Subject: Re: Pressure Bleeders / brakes
thanks for all the links and advice. I think I may have a book or two, and the fella doing the work should as well. Maybe I should ask him!

Date: 7-23-08 06:13 From: jgerock in Alexandria, VA Subject: Re: Pressure Bleeders / brakes
I have used the Silverline Mityvac brand aluminum vacuum tester/bleeder available from The Eastwood Co. with excellent results (on my VW). Next up is the 02. _________________ Jim Gerock BMWCCA # 381868 73tii "Celeste" # 2764081 71 VW Bug

Date: 7-23-08 06:51
From: BillWilliams in Maryland

Subject: Old skool way

pump brakes three to five times and hold pedal down.

Assistant opens bleeder screw for a few seconds, tighten, repeat process. The pedal will move towards the floor as you loosen the bleeder screw.

To avoid fluid spills, attach a clear tube over screw with the other end in a bottle of some sort. You can see the bubbles pass through the top part of the tube, repeat until bubbles go away.

Work from the brake screw furthest away from the master cylinder towards the master. Right rear, left rear, right front, left front, clutch slave.
_________________
1972 2000tii Touring
1972 2002tii with A4 system
1972 2002tii found a motor
16' Mad River

Date: 7-23-08 07:42 From: 2002Targa in Kodiak, AK Subject: Re: Pressure Bleeders / brakes
does the bavauto bleeder pressurize the reservoir with new brake fluid or just air?? TK _________________ Life's a garden baby, dig it. My web album 75 Fjord 73 RHD Targa

Date: 7-23-08 07:51 From: John_in_VA in Leesburg, VA Subject: Fluid goes in BavAuto unit, not air. (nt)
(nt) _________________ John in VA '74 tii "Juanita" '85 325e "Ol' Blue" '86 535i "M-POSSTR" '00 328i "Fern"

Date: 7-24-08 11:25
From: TobyB in Seattle

Subject: Re: Pressure Bleeders / brakes

Actually, you can bleed the brakes using gravity- IF you have hoses in decent shape.

I use a piece of tubing from the later BMW's windshield washer system,
attach it to the bleeder nipple, open the nipple.
and let it drain into a drinks bottle or similar.

It will usually take 2 or 3 tries, with a gentle rapping on the calipers between
goes, but I did that for years before I started using a pressure bleeder.

t
_________________
I have a car disease. There is no cure.
I'm not even managing the symptoms very well...

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