Brake bleeding

I had a wheel brake cylinder leak on my 1996 peugot boxer unfortualey the brake pipes broke when trying to undo them ,and then garage ordered wrong part ,so I lost a lot of brake fluid even though I covered top of reservoir . Will the whole system ie front and back need bleeding or are they on separate circuits . Am just worried these bleed screws will just snapped when trying to undo them .

On a '96 van it will almost certainly be a split system. However, I would take the opportunity to completely flush out the whole system with new fluid, so you know there is no chance of an airlock lurking somewhere.

I can understand your worry about the bleed screws but... brake fluid is meant to be completely changed on a regular basis, so it's a problem that will have to be addressed eventually! Sometimes you can't win against a corroded part, but if you use a top quality tool and avoid sideways loading on them, the bleed screws will probably shift. I can recommend putting a small amount of Copperslip or equivalent on the thread (only) when you put them back - you will be glad you did the next time it comes to doing the job.

Hi mojo thanks for your reply .unfortualey the bleed screw on RHD wheel cylinder not would undo and start rounding .its now mangled ,so I,looks like I am replacing the other cylinder now .i know you are supposed to change in pairs anyway ,but like everyone else money tight right now .ahh well at the mercy of buses to get to work this week ! Hope it's a heatwave next weekend when I do the van, not the gale I have been working in today .

If the hex has been rounded you can sometimes get away with it by finding a slightly smaller spanner in say imperial if the hex is metric or vice-versa, & 'tap' it on with  hammer! Sounds drastic, but I've done just that oodles of times, also, try & wire-brush the * Inappropriate Word * away, somehow 'get above' it & drip a little penetrating fluid onto the exposed thread, not WD40, but penetrating, a day before is ideal, then hopefully, it'll have soaked well in, also, if you CAN get the spanner on tight, tap it with the hammer whilst attempting to undo it, acts like an impactor.
Again, I've done this very thing many times & always managed it, you may well have to re-new the pipe-nut however.

Thanks for replies ,already tried with smaller spanner etc,have decided to replace cylinder ,as I sure I would probably end up doing in future anyway .time to bite the bullet .

Plynch2002 wrote:Hope it's a heatwave next weekend when I do the van, not the gale I have been working in today .

You have my sympathy - last time I had to do the rear cylinders (on a Transit), one of the bolts that held the cylinder to the backplate rounded, and I had no choice but to lie under the van in the rain for 30 mins grinding the head off it! Hope you get better luck than that. BTW, Modelman's "tap it with a hammer" is the technique I use too...

Lucky for me cylinder bolts came undone ok ,but have had to cut metal brake pipe to undo brake pipes. Ahh well two new cylinders and new rear brakes pipes,at least won't fail mot on them .some days just wish I could. Buy a new camper .i can dream on

Are there any special techniques with regard to bleeding the X2/50's brakes?

Is replacing the fluid simply a matter of bleeding until new fluid emerges?

Tips from others who have done it would be much appreciated.

G

If is quite simple and I would suggest you buy a simple bleed pipe with a non return valve in it from local auto spares shop or eBay such as item number [url=tel:251361954307]251361954307[/url].

Get her in doors or someone to operate the brake pedal for you.

Start with the cylinder furthest away from the master cylinder which is normally rear offside and then each getting closer. Put the bleed tool on the nipple and open nipple enough for fluid to flow and then get assistant to pump steadily until clean fluid flows then close off nipple on down stroke of pedal. Repeat for each cylinder. MUST ensure the reservoir does not empty though.
You can also buy a simple bottle with a valve that goes onto the reservoir to keep it full.  

Thanks, Jaytee.

No different to the average car, then.

G

Have now changed rear cylinder and metal brake pipe along axle ,blead brakes but still hardly any presure so presume front ones need bleeding .did rear brakes after work tonight so now pitch black ,when I spun front wheels to find bleed screws it looks via torchlight there are two on each one .is this correct .many thanks for all help received...

Hi don't round these bleed screws.Make sure you have a ring spanner or socket for a good tight fit.
regards

mike

Plynch2002 wrote:Have now changed rear cylinder and metal brake pipe along axle ,blead brakes but still hardly any presure so presume front ones need bleeding .did rear brakes after work tonight so now pitch black ,when I spun front wheels to find bleed screws it looks via torchlight there are two on each one .is this correct .many thanks for all help received...

All the brakes i have bleed had one bleed screw per brake cylinder.
Look in daylight.
regards

mike

If it is the type with a piston each side of the caliper it will have two bleed points. One each side but I don't know what type you have fitted so cannot advise further.

I'm sure a Boxer of this age will have a single leading shoe drum system on each of the rear wheels, with a single wheel cylinder on each wheel. Each cylinder will have a single bleed screw. It will not be any kind of disc brake system with one or more calipers. Mine's a somewhat later 2001 Symbol on a 1999 Boxer and mine still has drum brakes on the rear wheels. Checking on the workshop manual, rear discs are only from VIN 16194400.

Rgds

Mikebro   

Hi Mike ,I hope not too ,just bought penetrating oil on way home from work,although just started pouring down here,so will have to wait until tomorrow .
How many bleed screws has each caliper got ,is it two .

i would bet money on it being one.
The main point is you will have to bleed all 4 wheels.
Remember you must have a good fitting ring spanner or socket to avoid damage.
regards.

Mike

I must admit I have ever seen one on calipers before ,will have proper look when it's sops raining and daylight at same time ,.could be a while