SAFARI

BRAKES

BLEEDING THE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM

The process of removing air from the hydraulic pipe

line and cylinders is known as “Bleeding”, and it is

necessary whenever any part of the system has been

disconnected, or the level of fluid in the plastic

container has been allowed to fall so low that air has

been drawn into the tandem master cylinder.

PROCEDURE

Carefully clean all dirt from and around the filler

cap. Fig.35. Remove the filler cap, fill the reservoir

with fresh brake fluid to the lower edge of filler neck.

Before commencing bleeding at each bleed screw,

remove the dust cap and clean thoroughly.

The disc brakes are bled first because although they

are closest to the tandemmaster cylinder, the plunger

bore are much larger than drum wheel cylinder bores

therefore contain a great amount of fluid.

Attach the transparent (Vinyl) bleed tube to the left

front caliper bleed screw and place the other end of

the tube in a clean glass jar containing sufficient brake

fluid to submerge the end of the tube. Fig.36

It may be advantageous to bleed the entire system

with the engine running.

Open the bleed screws by 1/2 to 3/4 of a turn,

sufficient to allow the brake fluid to flow freely.

Depress the foot pedal slowly throughout the full

stroke of the pedal, and allow it to return to its stop

slowly.

It is always better to close the bleed screw at the

end of each downward pedal stroke to ensure full

recuperation of brake fluid in the system.

There should be an interval of 3 to 4 seconds before

making the next stroke.This action should be repeated

until bubbles of air cease to appear at the end of the

bleed tube. Close the bleed screw immediately after

the last downward stroke of the pedal.Whilst the pedal

is thus held, securely tighten the bleed screw and

remove the tube. Replace the dust cap on the bleed

screw.

Ensure that the fluid level in the tandem master

cylinder reservoir does not fall low enough to cause

air to be drawn into the system, throughout the bleeding

operation.

Fig. 35 - Brake Fluid Container

Fig. 36 - Bleeding the Front Calliper Brake