Bleeding brakes

[Jimmybid]

He y’all I’m trying to get my brakes bled I watched a few videos jacked the car up level and followed all the steps still really soft brakes so my 2 questions are 1 can I bleed them on the ground on a level surface jacking the car level was a pain in the ass and 2 my brakes were never very stiff to begin with does this just mean I need a new brake booster any info appreciated

 

[csstevej]

Did you use VCDS to bleed the brakes?
I have never leveled a car to bleed brakes.

 

[Jimmybid]

Idk I watched 2 videos and they did it that way and why would I need VCDS?

 

[J_dude]

Idk I watched 2 videos and they did it that way and why would I need VCDS?

Generally, when looking for How-To’s for my Volkswagen, TDIClub is my first stop, not YouTube. Just sayin

If you’re having trouble finding the info you need here on the forum, just do a google search with whatever you’re looking for, and include site:forums.tdiclub.com in the search bar. Works a lot better than the search function here.

 

[Zak99b5]

Yeah, no need to level the car to bleed brakes.

What method are you using? Gravity?

 

[snakeye]

I did a lot of bleeding the last few years, and what I found works best for me is simply to open a bleeder valve and pump away at the brake pedal until the desired amount of fluid has been flushed. Then leave that valve open for a minute, to let any air bubble that may have entered the caliper to escape and then close and go to the next one.

The open/close method is a huge waste of time. Used to do it until I realized that fluid really doesn't travel backwards at all when you release the pedal, and if you have air in the system, I think a few strong pumps in a row will do a better job of clearing it than a slow open/close process.

 

[csstevej]

Pressure bleeders work great too and are pretty cheap and handy….especially if bleeding by yourself.
You need Vcds to bleed the ABS pump , without it your not gonna get all the air out of the brake system.

 

[Jimmybid]

So I don’t need a master cylinder or brake booster

 

[csstevej]

Before you throw parts at it bleed it correctly first then see what you have then…

 

[BobnOH]

You only need VCDS to bleed the ABS, you only need to do that if the master cylinder fluid level drops below the top of the cylinder (it's at the bottom). Lots of methods to bleed/flush the system. I always used a helper on the pedal, a hose into a container, open, pump, close. But I wore out my helper and bought a Motive brake bleeder, makes it very easy. Even with that, occasionally I've needed to repeat the process. Don't forget the clutch, if so equipped. It's not terribly expensive to pay a good mechanic with a lift. Be sure to ask for a flush, to remove all the fluid and replace with new.

 

[benIV]

Ditto Bob and the others.
- For leveling I mean you probably want it level for safety, but I don't see how it being dead level matters that much.
- Get a helper if you can to either pump the brake or open/close the bleeder.
- Unless your vehicle is different, I was always told to bleed right rear, left rear, right front, left front
- Don't forget clutch.
- Don't forget to ensure the level in the cylinder doesn't drop too low.

Last time I did it I felt like I did it wrong at first too and redid them; they were good after that.

 

[mittzlepick]

Tappity tapping lines and hardware helps dislodge air. Also in extreme cases we have pumped fluid into the bleeder.

 

[Jimmybid]

So I had someone help me bleed them better w a power bleeder and they’re still soft do I need to upgrade my master cylinder to handle my gti front calipers?

 

[mittzlepick]

They look similar in size. My gdi/tdi has extra bits for asr/esp stuff. Bore and stroke should be in the googleverse somewhere. Id try more bleeding. Maybe cycle the abs pump with vagcom

 

[JackvasDeferens]

I have had the same spongy feeling and have gone to the extent of replacing all of the lines in both of my cars ('01 and '02 Jettas). I developed a methodology to bleed the brakes using information from the Bentley and from forum posts. The following is how I do it. I will say the brakes still feel a little spongy compared to my '05 and '13 F250s, but I feel safe driving the cars and the ABS will actuate when I slam on the brakes on gravel.

• MAKE SURE AND TOP OFF MASTER CYLINDER RESERVOIR SO AIR DOES NOT GET IN SYSTEM
• MAKE SURE TO HAVE THE MASTER CYLINDER CAP TIGHTENED DOWN DURING ALL OF THE FOLLOWING!

Bleed brake system in this order:

1. Bleed the ABS module
   1. In VAG-COM:
      1. 03 - ABS Brakes
      2. Basic Settings - 04
      3. Group 001
      4. Go!
         1. Depress pedal and hold brake pedal
            1. Press the pedal HARD. Seriously, pound the pedal like you're about to drive over a cliff. Remember to hold the pedal down until VCDS tells you to stop!
            2. The pedal will drop, the pump runs briefly, then the pedal comes back up.
         2. Take your foot off the pedal.
         3. Open the front right / front left bleed screws at the same time.
         4. Click the On/Off/Next button in the upper right hand corner.
         5. Then VCDS says to pump the pedal 10 times.
         6. Close bleeder screws.
         7. Click the On/Off/Next button in the upper left
         8. Repeat this 4 times topping up the reservoir each time!
2. Bleed the calipers by pumping up the pedal and holding, opening bleeder, then closing in this order (seems counter-intuitive, but that's what the Bentley says):
   1. Front left (driver)
   2. Front right (passenger)
   3. Rear left (driver)
   4. Rear right (passenger)
3. Clutch slave cylinder:
   1. Connect hose to slave nipple and put container down on driveshaft.
   2. Push clutch pedal in.
   3. Open bleeder
   4. Close bleeder
   5. Pull clutch pedal up (it won't come up automagically)
   6. Push clutch pedal in
   7. Open bleeder
   8. Close bleeder
   9. Etc. do this 4 times.