Don't suppose anyone could do a quick 'idiots' guide could they?? My Focus is now sitting in the air with newly fitted braided hoses, cleaned/painted discs + calipers and obviously a very empty braking system. The last time I did this job was about 8 years ago on my Mini, with no abs or servo assistance, do the same principles apply?

Any help GREATLY appreciated.

 

Right, you helpful bunch of gits.........

Me and my 'assistant' have been pumping for a good hour and there appears to be no air coming out of the system. BUT the pedal is still spongy as fook.

When doing the fronts all seems fine BUT when doing the rear's (usual two man method) apparently the pedal is really stiff going down (with the nipple open obviously). Now, I'm doing it with the car in the air, it has been suggested to me that there could be a bias valve in the rear system which requires bleeding with the rear wheel's on the ground, but I've traced the lines and can't see anything.

Also, very worrying, when doing the o/s/r there's a funny noise with every 'flush', only way to describe it is it sounds like there's gravel in the lines , there's definately no crap got in the fluid before anyone suggests it.

I'm on my own now so can't do any more but any advice would be greatly appreciated for tomorrow, if not I'll have to take it to a garage, which I really don't wanna do.

 

 

If you get in a muddle mate - give Dad a bell - Your Dad has got his number

 

From "Cossie" on the FFOC:

You have four bleed screws one on each corner. Make sure you have got plenty off brake fluid in the resevior(keep checking it) start at the back the one furthest from the brake cylinder its best to have a bit of pipe (washer pipe or something similar approx 30cm long)and something like a milk bottle but it can be done without you need someone to sit in the car so they can pump the brake pedal for you. (Without pipe Messy way) Open the bleed nipple only half a turn or so get your helper to press the pedal slowly to the floor close nipple when the pedal is all the way too the floor and nothing more is coming out, some air should of come out or a mixture of air and fluid now get your helper to take their foot off the pedal repeat this untill no more air is coming out remember to check your fluid level do this on all four nipples your pedal should be hard not spongy it will move a bit but not exessivly if its still not good repeat the process. (With pipe and bottle) put a little bit off brake fluid into the bottle make sure the pipe is on the end off the nipple and is submersed in the fluid in the bottle, open the bleed nipple and get your helper to pump the pedal continuosly till no more air comes out just clean fluid do this on all of them remember to tighten up all bleed nipples and keep checking your fluid levels if the resevior runs dry you will have to do it all again as it will have drawn in air hope this helps ya


Hope it helps Nath

 

Dom, thats harsh

Kev, cheers for the very kind offer (on ya Dad's behalf ) my uncles got a garage in Swaffham I can go to if all else fails but at the mo it's in our workshop jacked up an I'd rather sort the problem here.

Bish, cheers for digging that up, have done all that though!