Series 3 Best way to bleed brakes?

This site contains affiliate links for which LandyZone may be compensated if you make a purchase.
samc88

samc88

Drivels spiritual representative
Posts
2,838
Location
Anglesey, North Wales
My series had been having problems with temperemental brakes. Ev ery so often on a long uphill run the brakes would be binding. This was apparantly due to air in the master cylinder. It lost all its fluid when it blew a wheel cylinder the last time it did this so Ive replaced that cylinder and put new mintex shoes and proline drums all round.

Now then whats the best way of bleeding? Ive heard it should have the nose down so Ive backed it on the ramps but just wondering whats best for bleeding the master cylinder and what order to do the slaves. I've always done furthest to closest from master cylinder, having my dad manning the bleed screw whilst I push the pedal all the way down and checking the fluid every couple of pumps. Is that correct or is here a better way of ensuring all air is out the system?

Its a single line circuit with 10" drums with single wheel cylinders and a servo
 
Sam ideally a vac bleeder on a compressor for a series if your on your own. Trouble is air gets trapped doing them conventional way. Some back bleed with a syringe from slave cylinders burping out in master. You can also get a ratchet on the shoes to compress them in then do a regular 2 man bleed. But a compressor and vac bleeder is my recommendation for bleeding anything. One man job and so easy. But I do like gadgets!
 
samc88 said:
My series had been having problems with temperemental brakes. Ev ery so often on a long uphill run the brakes would be binding. This was apparantly due to air in the master cylinder. It lost all its fluid when it blew a wheel cylinder the last time it did this so Ive replaced that cylinder and put new mintex shoes and proline drums all round.

Now then whats the best way of bleeding? Ive heard it should have the nose down so Ive backed it on the ramps but just wondering whats best for bleeding the master cylinder and what order to do the slaves. I've always done furthest to closest from master cylinder, having my dad manning the bleed screw whilst I push the pedal all the way down and checking the fluid every couple of pumps. Is that correct or is here a better way of ensuring all air is out the system?

Its a single line circuit with 10" drums with single wheel cylinders and a servo
Click to expand...
its straight forward then ,order doesnt really matter but its worth doing a little at all first, the twin front cylinder systems are harder to bleed as nipples are on bottom cylinder, also leave car level
 
I just gravity bleed most of the time, if I am in a hurry I got this draper thing which is a plastic container and a tube with a no return valve in it so you can pump the pedal yourself. never had to do a master cylinder, only had to do wheel cylinders so far
 
Start at the wheel furthest away from the master cylinder and work back towards it. Air in the master cylinder will not cause the brakes to bind.
 
I thought you started on the closes to the master cylinder. I know I struggled to do the rears on mine when there was some air in the front, I got a cheap vacuum pump from Ebay that seems to do the trick for the odd time I need it.
 
Chockydogs said:
I thought you started on the closes to the master cylinder. I know I struggled to do the rears on mine when there was some air in the front, I got a cheap vacuum pump from Ebay that seems to do the trick for the odd time I need it.
Click to expand...
No furthest away and work towards it. To blow air out pump a pedal and hold it. Get your mate to release the bleeder. Lock bleeder, pump and pedal then do it again until air is gone. Remember to keep master cylinder topped up.
 
Chockydogs said:
I thought you started on the closes to the master cylinder. I know I struggled to do the rears on mine when there was some air in the front, I got a cheap vacuum pump from Ebay that seems to do the trick for the odd time I need it.
Click to expand...
I always start at the furthest from the cylinder. Works for me! :)

I like the vacuum pump on the nipple method myself! ;)
 
Turboman said:
I always start at the furthest from the cylinder. Works for me! :)

I like the vacuum pump on the nipple method myself! ;)
Click to expand...

I knew a girl with the same passion. There are different bleeding methods for different systems but on bog standard stuff like a Series it's furthest away first and work back. It's how i was shown as an apprentice and has worked for fifty years so must have some merit. :D:D:D
 
wammers said:
I knew a girl with the same passion. There are different bleeding methods for different systems but on bog standard stuff like a Series it's furthest away first and work back. It's how i was shown as an apprentice and has worked for fifty years so must have some merit. :D:D:D
Click to expand...
I always have done it like that, I too would have been shown by somebody, possibly my granddad.
For many years I employed the assistant method as you describe. Last few years I have gone to the vac extractor, method, works really well, the assistant is free to top up the reservoir as required, and I can see flow and quality of the extracted fluid through a clear section in the pipe.
 
Well its always nice to have a believeable excuse for the latex gloves, vacuum pumps, lubes and clamps etc.
Next time I will go round and just do them twice ! got to have the right order at some point !
 
Turboman said:
I always have done it like that, I too would have been shown by somebody, possibly my granddad.
For many years I employed the assistant method as you describe. Last few years I have gone to the vac extractor, method, works really well, the assistant is free to top up the reservoir as required, and I can see flow and quality of the extracted fluid through a clear section in the pipe.
Click to expand...

Lone bleeding is easily possible i just make up a bleed pipe from silicone tube with the end blocked and a slit in it as an NRV. Also have a Mityvac MV 8000 for those problem systems.
 
Chockydogs said:
Well its always nice to have a believeable excuse for the latex gloves, vacuum pumps, lubes and clamps etc.
Next time I will go round and just do them twice ! got to have the right order at some point !
Click to expand...

Now you is getting a little over the top. What sort of clamps do you use? :D:D:D:D
 
just plastic flexible hose clamps - less chaffing than mole grips...
SHMBO dosnt like it if I dribble fluid on the tarmac... and I seem to make a habit of taking an axle off recently....
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

M
What is the correct way to bleed a series 3 clutch?
Replies
2
Views
715
tottot
tottot
davidpurton
Brakes binding..
Replies
16
Views
1K
steve2286w
steve2286w
Paxmanmerv
These brakes have got me scratchiung my head..
Replies
19
Views
1K
yfo866
yfo866
andyfreelandy
Freelander 1 Front brakes still hot, new calipers and pins. Intermittent.
Replies
19
Views
610
andyfreelandy
andyfreelandy
A
Need help installing a new brake master cylinder
Replies
5
Views
1K
dag019
dag019
Back
Top