96 C280 Brake Bleeding

[Martineau Gauda]

Hi,

Need to bleed the brakes on 96 C280. Can this be done by pumping pedal as in normal bleeding. I can restrict the travel of the brake pedal so the the master cylinder piston will not extend into area where it may be damaged by any corrosion.

Also, if I invest in a suction or pressure bleeder which is the best for this car.

Thanks

[Kestas]

That'll work. Or use a pressure bleeder.

I made a suction bleeder device for naught. Too much air gets sucked in past the threaded portion of the bleeder, rendering the suction bleeder useless. Perhaps someone can recommend a compound I can put on the bleeder threads to prevent this?

[Martineau Gauda]

Thanks

Was the suction device hand operated or a venturi type of device that would provide continuous suction? A venturi suction may have helped with the problem with air getting past the threads.

Any other members with experence with suction type devices?

If there are proplems with suction perhaps I will restrict the travel of the master c piston and flush the old way.

Many thanks

[Ethan]

Do a search for Speedi-Bleed pressure brake bleeder.

purchased on for my C-class, I use it every two years, the two times I have used it probably equal what I would have spent at a dealership for the same work - assuming they would actually perform the work I pay for.

I thought I read that cars with ABS prefer a pressure bleed - is this true?

[Kestas]

Ethan, I believe pressure bleeding is recommended over vacuum bleeding for ABS systems for the very problem I mentioned. During vacuum bleeding, there is a danger that a small bit of air that gets sucked past the threads can remain in the caliper. This bit of air can cause problems with the ABS system. I believe manufacturers actually warn against using vacuum bleeding. Otherwise I don't see a big difference between pressure bleeding and manual pumping in ABS systems.

The suction device I use is home-made and resembles a hookah. I use suction with my mouth to produce the vacuum. I find it useful for other jobs such as removing brake fluid from the master cylinder or fluid from the power steering fluid reservoir. Without the vacuum, it works well as a collection jar for bleeding the brakes.

I think air gets past the threads regardless of the vacuum source.

[tvpierce]

I tried using a hand-held vacuum bleeder -- and it was useless. I ended up doing it the old fashioned way (pumping the pedal). I've since bought a pressure bleeder ($44 from www.************************ ) People in this forum, and in another that I frequent (for Volvos) rave about this product. BTW, the vacuum pump cost me $30, it didn't work, and it will probably just sit under my bench for the next 50 years.

Jeff Pierce