P38 Brake Bleeding

Hi All,

I am about to change a brake pipe or two on my 1997 P38 4.6. The manual is fairly indepth so I can see the bleeding is quite involved. My question is: Has anybody tried bleeding a P38 using one of the remote bleeding systems? Using air or handpumping to force or draw fluid out. Does this work OK or can/does it louse up the ABS etc?
Thanks for any advice

personally-they are ****e. I use a length of clear silicone tubing that came with my oil extractor

i used an easy bleed,the type where you use the air from a spare wheel,and it worked ok for me,brakes are nice and solid,after a nice fluid change

I have used both methods and find the pressure kits messy.

With 2 people, the good old fashioned, up, down method is just fine.

So apart from the mess, using a pressure bleed was ok with regards to the ABS etc? It just seems easier to open the bleed nipples in order and watch it flow! + last time in a rangie classic I spent most of the day swimming in brake fluid from knocked over jam jars!!

after you changed your brake pipe undo the bleed nipple, turn on the ignition and put slight pressure on the brake pedal, the system pressures and the fluid flows all on its tod, nice and easy.

I always use a pressure bleeder. You get a constant pressure and you can do it single handed. Indispensable method of bleeding awkward clutch & brake systems. Whilst you are at it you may as well replace the fluid in the system as I'll bet it's past it's best and not been done for years.

My brakes are as soft as ****e. So soft, when bombing down to a nearby roundabout on the motorway I have to double-press, the first to stiffen up the peddle and the second to brake. My pads are very worn (but not dangerously so) and I'm about to fit replacements.

Do you reckon it's so soft because of the low pads, or do I need to bleed it?

Been like this for a year, not getting any worse.

Jock

Hiya Jock...irrespective of whether the pads are worn or not, the pedal should be positive and not require a second "Pump". What you write is a strong indication that there is air in the system and the brakes need bleeding

Well bled them today, now the peddle is nice and hard plus the ole bus stops on a sixpence! I did them via the handbook method. Involved or what, includes hacking away a load of insulation foam from the back of the master cylinder to get to one of the three! bleed nipples on the thing. Oviously the main dealers didn't bleed that one in the past did they.