Brake bleeding down to a science + track day pics.

[Jamaican_tuner]

I have seen feedback from people that have used the brake bleed (using Motiv bleeder) DIY posted by Anthony some years ago that even after following the process as documented they still have poor pedal feel. I was one of them.

I believe I have found the solution... have done it twice on my car and would like someone else to
follow these steps and report feedback.


The focus of my findings: The ever mysterious subject of cycling the ABS pump to perform a full bleed. There are many posts discussing it but none that I could find that fully explain how to use it to get the brakes 100%.

Here is the procedure I followed:


1- Drive car and do several aggressive stops (I did several 60mph to 30mph stops).
2- Park car in garage or workspace in preparation for bleed
3- Connect with Vagcom and connect to Brake and then Output tests
4- Execute the first output test which activates the ABS pump (I activated for 8 seconds then stopped).
5- Throw car up on jacks stands then follow the Brake Bleed DIY from start to finish. Note that through steps 4 reservoir is untouched bleeder not yet unboxed and all I am doing is the output test.

I did this twice last week in preparation for a track day. Since I had two large cans of OEM brake fluid and since it is cheaper than the Motul RBF 600 I figured I could experiment.

So with my street pad brake setup (hawk HPS) I followed the above procedure. Gained an inch of extra brake pedal feel!!

Two days before the track day I swapped to new rotors and new race pads, drove around for 30 mins doing some aggressive braking then pulled in to the garage for bleeding. This time with Motul RBF 600. Followed the same process as describe above and had truly mind blowing brake performance (albeit in the rain) at the track logging over 100 on track miles across 4 sessions.

Need someone to follow this procedure and report back your findings

Track Day pics

[niles]

When I get around to doing mine I'll try this out.

[rajuncajun37]

Great information and and awesome pictures. We love seeing the Golf R32 on a track with expensive luxury cars!

[Jamaican_tuner]

Great information and and awesome pictures. We love seeing the Golf R32 on a track with expensive luxury cars!

Got this pic from one of the club regulars. This is a pic of the intermediate run group on a Dry day

[adubya]

Did you do the clutch as well? They share the same reservoir , no? If you did, did it improve the feel?

Cheers

aw

[Jamaican_tuner]

Did you do the clutch as well? They share the same reservoir , no? If you did, did it improve the feel?

Cheers

aw

I did not do the clutch.

[SpclAgentD]

I'd try it if I had a Vagcom. I gotta change my fluid anyway...

[niles]

Did mine yesterday, didn't gain much feel (although it wasn't bad to begin with) in the brake pedal but my clutch feels better. also found out one of my bleeders in the rear was stripped (Dude at the local autozone gave me a bleeder off a reman caliper for free though )

running the output test for abs pump bleeding is listed on ross-tech's website as well.
http://www.ross-tech.com/vag-com/cars/absbleeding.html

[Jamaican_tuner]

Did mine yesterday, didn't gain much feel (although it wasn't bad to begin with) in the brake pedal but my clutch feels better. also found out one of my bleeders in the rear was stripped (Dude at the local autozone gave me a bleeder off a reman caliper for free though )

running the output test for abs pump bleeding is listed on ross-tech's website as well.
http://www.ross-tech.com/vag-com/cars/absbleeding.html

[Toffs]

Couple of Q's -

1) Why does RossTech say the wheels can't be touching the ground?

2) What would happen if you did steps 1-4 but didn't then bleed the brakes?

Ta

[lil_kano]

Hey bro I'd like to give this a try. I need to bleed my brakes anyway. May be sometime at the end of the month we can meet up and try it out. I need to buy some fluid.

Plus you can check out my new setup!

[schmuck]

I will try it next time I bleed mine as well. I have tried variations of this before, but with the motive attached.

[BIG DUB]

I'll have to give it a try

[mfbmike]

Homestead.

I need to get out there and run my R around some time.

[BIG DUB]

Diy worked like a charm

[CaptainQualude]

I have seen feedback from people that have used the brake bleed (using Motiv bleeder) DIY posted by Anthony some years ago that even after following the process as documented they still have poor pedal feel. I was one of them.

I have the same issue.

So with my street pad brake setup (hawk HPS) I followed the above procedure. Gained an inch of extra brake pedal feel!!

That seems to be what is missing between the way it was before & after bleeding. The brakes don't have the same feel they originally had before bleeding, & the comment about pedal position is accurate.

Couple of Q's -

2) What would happen if you did steps 1-4 but didn't then bleed the brakes?

Ta

The air wouldn't be expelled & would then try to find the highest point in the system it can reach.

[Jamaican_tuner]

Diy worked like a charm

As in the Brake bleed DIY or the ABS output test + the brake bleed DIY?

What changes have you noted in pedal feel?

[Jamaican_tuner]

I have the same issue.

If or when you try this procedure please report back your findings.

[Jamaican_tuner]

Hey bro I'd like to give this a try. I need to bleed my brakes anyway. May be sometime at the end of the month we can meet up and try it out. I need to buy some fluid.

Plus you can check out my new setup!

Deal

[Gti Fly]

Sorry to sound thick, I'm kinda lost on whats the procedure being described in this thread:


Please set me straight, this is how I'm reading into it so far


1) go out and drive like a nutter and get the ABS to come on a few times
2) connect up vagcom and activate the ABS test (no bleeding going on)
3) disconnect vagcom.
4) hook up a pressure bleeder and bleed brakes as normal one wheel at a time

5) enjoy a much better brake pedal...


Is that correct?

[Jamaican_tuner]

Sorry to sound thick, I'm kinda lost on whats the procedure being described in this thread:


Please set me straight, this is how I'm reading into it so far


1) go out and drive like a nutter and get the ABS to come on a few times
2) connect up vagcom and activate the ABS test (no bleeding going on)
3) disconnect vagcom.
4) hook up a pressure bleeder and bleed brakes as normal one wheel at a time

5) enjoy a much better brake pedal...


Is that correct?

Yes

This might all be possible by skipping step one but since I did it both times I added it to the procedure.

[Gti Fly]

Yes

This might all be possible by skipping step one but since I did it both times I added it to the procedure.

Many thanks

[Toffs]

Lol Fly, YOU woulnd't miss that step !

[ThatVdub]

from my memory, which isn't too trustworthy at this age...

supposed to press the brake hard, activate vag-com, it pushes up your foot, iirc.. and then you bleed when it says too...

that way led to my firm pedal feel, firmer than the brake bleed alone.

[CaptainQualude]

If or when you try this procedure please report back your findings.

Will do. It should be pretty soon. I picked up a set of Speed Bleeders a while back to try & solve the issue, so will be tossing those on also.

[Gti Fly]

Lol Fly, YOU woulnd't miss that step !