bleedin bloody brakes

["WEAZLECHIN"]

ive changed the front pads and replaced the long brake line to the rear brakes, i bled the sytem (twice now) all four wheels, but the pedal is still travelling too far on first push, if i push a second time immediately its good, the second push is how it should be. has anyone come accross this one, is there some order it should be done in(front to back etc)

[Horza]

Two things occur. The self adjusters on my rear brakes aren't particularly hot on self adjusting. I jacked up the back of the van, adjusted them up till they were on and then backed them off. With little travel on my rear brakes the pedal felt great and stopping was much better with less dive.

Secondly, after my brake pipes were done it took more than bleeding them twice to get all the air out. It was more like bleed them, bleed some more, drive, bleed, drive, bleed bleed, drive. There are sooo many places for bubble to get stuck. But I would imagine this only occurs when all the pipes have been taken off to begin with.

[dingleyhythe]

I have the same problem - started with a flexible hose bursting as soon as I used it after 18 months standing (didn't actually make it out of the garage). Changed the hose and associated rigid pipe, bled and pedal still felt bad, took O/S drum off and cylinders are weeping (peel back the dust covers and if they are damp inside with fluid the seals are on their way). I also noticed a massive wear step on the drum. Went to the other side and the drum was so worn it woudn't come off until I released the self adjuster and this side not only had an even bigger wear step but the working bit of the drum was unevenly worn and scored too. This explains the pants handbrake as well, however it had an MOT only 150 miles before the original engine blew. I should have a look in the drums next, I'm 'glad' I did despite the large order about to hit JK!

["WEAZLECHIN"]

ive had the drums off, adjusted handbrake play, thats good now , made the self adjusters loosen up, checked everything basically. but will try bleeding them again soon. i want to mot the damn thing..

[TechtroT25]

I used a easybleed kit on mine worked first time

[TOMMY THE CAT]

I used one of those 1 man one way valve kit things great but you will need to keep bleeding them a fair bit!
D

[Aidan]

Bleeding is good, replace all that crap old fluid and it will be much better. Be very careful about the level in the reservoir as you could reintroduce air when bleeding if not careful. One man bleed kit and a quality 7mm spanner are recommended - i found a nice snap-on one in the road when cyling : )

["WEAZLECHIN"]

all seems good now, went to gsf for a brake cylinder £8, fitted it bled it again and the pedal moves about as far as a brand new van. fingers crossed then.