Bleeding the Brakes

[RobertK]

What is the best bleeder and order to use when bleeding my e30's brakes? I'm supposed to tackle this Sunday so I want to be prepared.

[nando]

I got the one from bavauto, they are pretty much all the same. as for the order, I believe you start with the brakes closest to the resivior and go from there (fr l, fr r, r l, r r)

[RobertK]

Does anyone have any experience with the hand bleeder pump thingy they sell at Pelican parts?

[KenC]

Just do it manually. It takes two people, but no special equipment and it's really easy.

And you start with the one furthest from the res

[RobertK]

I have heard it stated that you start furthest away from the res and closest to the res. Does anyone know what the reasoning is behind the two?

[KenC]

The one farthest has the most fluid in it (longer line). Bleed the farthest one when you're doing it manually. I've never used a pressure bleeder...

[SchnellerVert]

Bentley manual.....someone get him one or loan him one....

[RobertK]

I've got a Bentley manual and for the record 60% of it's pictured illustrations are horrible and about 50% of its descriptions are horrible and some of the instructions are flat out wrong (ie. the timing belt replacement instructions). I've recieved much better explainations and instructions on these boards and on bimmerdiy.com then the Bentley manual has ever helped me.

[JeffBij]

I've used the Motive bleeder for several years now. It's great when completely changing out the fluid (which I do before every track event).

Have still found that you need to do the 2 person "pump the pedal, hold, open the bleeder valve, pedal to the floor, close the valve, release the pedal" method to fully bleed the system.

Start from the right rear, to left rear, to right front, to left front.


Jeff B.
Roanoke, VA
1989 325i track prepared
2000 328Ci daily driver