Andy Hedin

I'm thinking about purchasing either a MityVac one-man brake bleeding pump or a different one offered by Griot's Garage (looks like a bicycle pump with a huge reservoir). I'm not happy with the clutch pedal feel in my A4 with ATE SuperBlue fluid (it's been in there since last August) plus my clutch is starting to squeak. Long story short, I believe the fluid may be the cause and I'd like to swap it out for some Valvoline SynPower DOT 4 brake fluid I picked up.

I've never bled my brakes before but I do consider myself mechanically inclined.

Here are my questions:

1) I've read tons of posts in the archives and it sounds like the ABS system needs to be "pulsed" via the VAG tool in order to flush the fluid out of the ABS unit. How important is this? I don't have access to the VAG tool so this won't be possible. Will I damage the ABS system if I don't flush the fluid out of the unit?

2) I've read that the clutch master cylinder shares the fluid with the brake system. I've also read that you should bleed the clutch master cylinder when you bleed the brakes. Is this true? Is there a bleeding nipple on the transmission housing for this? Does it look just like one of the brake caliper nipples?

I'd appreciate any and all comments.

Thanks much,<p><a href="mailto:andy_hedin@hotmail.com"><img SRC="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/AudiWorldPics/2000/A_Hedin_Sig.jpg" BORDER=0></a>

CP

The new fluid did a so-so job of fixing the rough clutch feel for me. But I did neither of these two things that you talk about. I did crank on my ABS a few times to get the new fluid into the system, but I may have it done properly in a few months...depends how the brakes/clutch feel at the end of the summer. I'm still working on getting my lines changed over to the ones from APR. Stripped a nut in the rear, so I'm working on replacing a hard line tonight. What's this vaccuum system you're talking about? Where'd you get it and how much? Thanks,<p>Cy...Pearl '97 1.8TQMS, APRv3, Neuspeed, H&R Sport, Neuspeed/Bilstein, AEZ Bimos, Yoko AVS Sports, ATE Powerdisc, Mintex, Valvoline SynPower, Autometer, K&N, Air Box Mod, Clears, PIAA, Alpine, Red Domes and Readings, Sport Grill, Aluminum Trim,

Alf Arkin

. . . it's not worth buying specialized equipment. It's a straightforward procedure with someone helping out, email me if you want a copy from the manual.

Andy Hedin

I'm considering either kit #6820, which sells for something like $45:

<a href="http://www.mityvac.com/kits.html#6820">Kit #6820</a>

Or their fluid extractor (kit #7200 and #7205), which Griot's Garage sells as one unit for something like $65.

<a href="http://www.mityvac.com/kits.html">Kits #7200 & #7205</a>

You'll have to scroll down the page to see these kits.<p><a href="mailto:andy_hedin@hotmail.com"><img SRC="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/AudiWorldPics/2000/A_Hedin_Sig.jpg" BORDER=0></a>

CP

just as well. And I don't believe this will solve the clutch cylinder or ABS issues that you mentioned. In effect, it sucks/pulls the fluid out of the system, whereas my method pushes the fluid out. Different means, same results. Although the Vac-whatever could come in handy for other tasks, like the ad mentions.

$45 compared to $3 for tubing that fits the bleeder and a container.

I'm still interested in the other issues, because the change to SynPower did improve the feel of the clutch but did not eliminate the roughness completely.

Good luck,<p>Cy...Pearl '97 1.8TQMS, APRv3, Neuspeed, H&R Sport, Neuspeed/Bilstein, AEZ Bimos, Yoko AVS Sports, ATE Powerdisc, Mintex, Valvoline SynPower, Autometer, K&N, Air Box Mod, Clears, PIAA, Alpine, Red Domes and Readings, Sport Grill, Aluminum Trim,

Jon C

The old brake pumping method is not good at all: it forces the master cylinder's piston beyond the normal travel area and is very likely to score the seals and result in a leaking master cylinder.

I have a MityVac and an EeziBleed (uses air from a tire to pressurize the system -- about 7-10 lbs. works well): I bled my '98.5 A4 with the Eezibleed and it worked very well, no need to pulse the ABS to get it to bleed cleanly and thoroughly. The Griot's pump also looks interesting.

but DON'T use the brake pumping method, it'll eventually/ probably cause some problems w/ your master cylinder.

Andy Hedin

...even though I probably won't use the tool that often, it will actually be cheaper than one hour of labor to have a shop do it for me. So I think the tool will pay for itself after a couple of uses. Plus, I'm a bit of a tool "junkie" so I can't resist a new toy ;-)

I too have read (in the archives) that the manual method of pumping the brake pedal can cause the piston to travel into an area that it normally doesn't travel and you could cause some damage to the seals.<p><a href="mailto:andy_hedin@hotmail.com"><img SRC="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/AudiWorldPics/2000/A_Hedin_Sig.jpg" BORDER=0></a>

Alf Arkin

The VAG bleeder also drops the pedal. The point is to not go beyond the pedal's normal travel. So when using an assistant to press on the pedal, you've got to use several small bleeds instead of one huge one.

CP

<p>Cy...Pearl '97 1.8TQMS, APRv3, Neuspeed, H&R Sport, Neuspeed/Bilstein, AEZ Bimos, Yoko AVS Sports, ATE Powerdisc, Mintex, Valvoline SynPower, Autometer, K&N, Air Box Mod, Clears, PIAA, Alpine, Red Domes and Readings, Sport Grill, Aluminum Trim,

Jon C

That's fine if they can positively not push the piston beyond normal travel; but you're still opening and closing the bleed screw several times for each caliper... w/ the EeziBleed you just open it once for each caliper and let it bleed til it's time to go to the next one...