[Vwdiesel] bad brakes on 2001 Jetta

[Arkady Mirvis]

I also always remove the bleed screws, clean them and do apply nickel based 
Chesterton " NO SEEZ ) compound onto the thread.
My experience recommends against using vacuum. Once the screw is backed off, 
vacuum tool sucks air from the outside the system via the bleed screw 
thread. Pressurizing master cylinder with 10 - 15 PSi makes brakes bleeding 
faster and getting air totally. But watch the fluid level in the reservoir!
Ark

-----Original Message----- 
From: William J Toensing
Sent: Saturday, July 13, 2013 1:41 AM
To: VW Diesel Fans
Subject: [Vwdiesel] bad brakes on 2001 Jetta

I am no brake expert, have never worked on any VW brake system because I 
haven't had to -yet. However just finished replacing front pads on our 1995 
Olds Cutlass Sierra as the left front pad was down to the metal & scored the 
brake disk. Was told by the local machine shop the L F disk was too thin to 
resurface which would have cost $15 to resurface. However, new disks were 
only $16 each & you can easily guess where they were made-China despite 
being a major USA brand, Wagner or Raybestos, don't recall which.

The brake fluid looked like crud so I replaced the fluid with Dot 3, as the 
Haynes manual & the GM factory manual recommended this as the Olds has ABS. 
The manuals recommended against Dot 5 silicon fluid, which I prefer, & 
didn't mention Dot 4. Why Dot 3 & not Dot 4 or Dot 5? I used a one man brake 
bleeder which somehow uses an air compressor to create a vacuum to suck the 
brake fluid out of the brake cylinders & lines. Was able to get the air out 
at all wheels except the left rear what made me not trust the system so 
re-bled the system using someone to pump the brakes for me inside the car. 
Got good air free flow from all but the left rear. However I did flow from 
the left rear, first air & then fluid after pumping the old fashioned 2 
person way. I shared my experience with a professional mechanic who said he 
always removes the brake bleed screws & cleans them before bleeding the 
brakes, something I will do from now on.

It was interesting that the Olds had a diagonal braking system like the Saab 
which GM must have copied when they owned Saab. I thought dual master 
cylinders were, except for Saab & possibly Volvo, were connected separately 
to the front & rear brakes.

Bill Toensing, Nevada City, CA
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