[TR] Brake Bleeding & Adjusting

[Jeff Scarbrough]

Hi Bob,

At 07:55 PM 4/8/2008, you wrote:

>A couple of brake questions:
>1. I've installed a rebuilt servo, new m/c, rebuilt calipers, new rear
>cylinders (0.75" bore) new Kevlar pads and shoes, new clips & springs and
>new braided hose. So it's all new & now in need of fluif or fluid even. And
>I'm going with Castrol GTLMA DOT4.

Sounds good so far...

>  I've been told that the majority of air
>bubbles that you see after purging the initial batch of them is from air
>coming in around the threads of the loose bleeder screw. As a result, it's
>best to use some Teflon tape on the bleeder screw threads. Comments?
>Suggestions?

If I thought it was a problem, I'd use a dab of grease on the threads 
rather than futz about with tape.  But when the fluif is under 
pressure, you should be forcing it out around the threads, not 
drawing it in.  Thus, the bubbles probably are bubbles.  Try pumping 
a bit slower...three easy pumps to build pressure, then crack the 
valve to release.  Don't let the pedal get too low!  And don't run 
out of fluif - for some reason, it's easier in the TR6 than in any 
other car I've worked on...   Dunno why, so I stop halfway through 
each cylinder to refill.  Last time I did a complete overhaul, I 
wound up going around three or four times to get it all clear.

>2. Has anyone ever used this method
>(http://www.vtr.org/maintain/brake-adjustment.shtml)? Does it work on a
>newly installed system or is it just for adjusting after the initial old
>fashioned way of tighten, spin, tighten some more, back off etc.

I always adjust, then stomp the brakes.  Close it up one click at a 
time, stomping in between.  Eventually you will find a place it likes 
to be.  You could check with the handbrake method, but I'm not sure 
if there's any difference in the long run.  I've never sat down to 
compare shoe clearance vs. pedal travel...

Note that each of the above requires a patient assistant.  If you ask 
a significant other, be prepared to pay handsomely for their 
help.  If you lure a neighbor with a six-pack, get started early, 
before said neighbor gets too deep in the refreshments...


Jeff Scarbrough      75 TR6 x 1, 76 1500 x 2, 78 1500 x 1, 80 1500 x 0.5
http://www.fishplate.org/vehicles/  <<< Under Renovation!
Athens, Georgia         #354 


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