308 Break Bleeding

If you merely removed the caliper and put it aside (w/o cracking the brake line off the caliper) in the process of changing the wheel bearings then you shouldn't have to do any bleeding. However, if you cracked the brake line off the caliper to do the bearing then yes, you should bleed both front and rear. It's a dual f/r circuit system.

 

Just my opinion, but....as long as you've gone to the trouble of getting brake fluid on your hands, may as well just flush the whole system and put some new fluid in.

Yes, the brakes will work for a long time with old nasty fluid, but the system will end up rusted and need rebuilding like mine since nobody ever changed the fluid.

 

Understood. I think if you review some prior f-chat posts regarding bleeding these ferrari brakes, you'll find they have a reputation for being particularly difficult to gravity bleed, and often require a pressure or vaccum bleeder to do the job. I have both, and through the use of both have had good results, but it's a pain in the rear (and the front) no doubt....

Good luck!

 

If you "split" the calipers and did not replace the small o-rings then you might have a problem when you do a pressure bleed. Usually we would just remove the caliper and swing it aside on it's flex hose. It is a split system (front/rear) so when you bleed just do the standard right rear , left rear , right front and left front. Pretty simple process. I replaced all of my bleeder nipples with "speed bleeders" and do the bleeding is an easy 1 man job.

 

Whats a 'speed bleeder'

 

It's a special bleed valve/screw that allows for a one-man brake pedal bleed. It has a built-in check valve, so you just crack it open, attach your catch bottle tube, step on the brake pedal a couple of times, and go back and close the valve. No need for someone to be at the wheel opening and closing it to prevent bleed-back of air or old fluid.

Personally, I don't like them. I'd rather do it the old fashioned way, 'cause I know it works and I can see what's coming out as it is coming out. But for someone who doesn't have an extra person to help, it's an alternative.

 

sounds like a great invention.

Like you, I'll have to stick with the old fashioned way with 2 people. It's one of the few maintenance things I do on the car that the wife can help with. (makes her feel important)

 

Exactly!!! After the last time I did a brake bleed, my fiance bragged to everyone how she "helped work on the car." LOL

 

Yep, it puts them in a different class when the guys are standing around telling stories of their last car repair project. My wife even helps drop engines in cars and has even helped put bodies back on chassis

 

Some day, years from now, you're all going to end up buying a Motive brake bleeder or get one as a gift or whatever. When that time comes, I promise you'll realize you were wrong all along and you should have bought one years ago.

It's totally worth it. It makes this rotten job so incredibly simple.

 

I have the $20 suction bleeder from Harbor Freight. Works like a charm except that some air inevitably gets sucked from the bleeder screw threads/hose seal making it difficult to know when all the air is out. It's good to have a helper pump the brake in the traditional way to verify the air is gone.

However, If you don't break the brakes, you can do a flush in a flash.

dave

 

Great advise, this was a fun and easy one man project. Buy the motive bleeder some blue racing fluid and start at the left rear, right rear, left front, right front. When it comes out blue you know its new. While you are there, replace the pads there is another thread on "brake pads" that has a lots of advice and pictures I posted of the above referenced motive and brake products.

 

I use a pressure bleeder on my trailers, but gotta give the wife a chance to participate.

 

+100 for the Motive Bleeder. Makes the job incredibly simple and accurate. Don't bother with anything else.

 

I was looking into getting one of these as a Christmas gift for myself, but then I got the Griots catalog and saw this one.

http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/tools/specialty+tools/one-person+brake+bleeder.do?search=basic&keyword=Brake+bleeder&sortby=newArrivals&page=1

Any thoughts?

 

I agree the Motive bleeder makes things super easy. However, check Birdman's warning:

http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=279642

 

Good Point Birdman.

I use to have an AMMCO pressure bleeder from a former employer, it worked great, had lots of adaptors that I kept after the internal diaphragm burst. The one thing I remember is that is used a hydraulic hose from the pressure bleeder to the adapters.

 

Amen. With the Motive, you can literally bleed all 4 wheels in 20-25 minutes...super simple. To heed Birdman's warning, I did change all the hose on mine.