I enjoyed your video. I think you are doing a great service to youtubers. I will never loosen the bleed valve on any of my vehicles regardless, only because I have been doing this for years and never had a problem. That is just me. Thanks for your attention to detail however.
+Petie Wheatstraw I just changed my pads on 04 Passat and did not open the bleeder valve. BIG MISTAKE. Now my pedal will not return to rest position and the brake lights stay on. I am removing pads again to try and find the problem.
+Glyn L. Long same thing happened to me except i DID open the bleeder valve (but i think not opened it enough). i put an old 64oz juice bottle filled with water under the pedal to hold it up and keep that light off all night so it didn't kill my battery. Went to pick up kid next day (about 21 hrs later) and when i removed the bottle, brake worked at about 95%! it didn't come back a little, so i helped it it up with my left foot while i drove. don't know what to do at this point wither, so i'll try pumping or put the bottle back tonight and see what happens tommorow
On Passats Audi's you will run into air going back into lines causing spongy breaks . Just pulling the cap and suctioning extra fluid works for most but not these cars , suck !
+Vincent C I should note that I recently bled this car from all four corners too using a vacuum tool. I didn't notice any improvement in braking or additional firmness in the pedal, but... Supposedly brake fluid has a limited life and deteriorates like motor oil, so it is recommended to replace the fluid occasionally.
+hanoihancock that's really the only reason to bleed brakes most of the time. About 1.5 liters is sufficient but as German made brake fluid comes in 1 liter cans and it doesn't hurt to make sure everything is out of all the lines and use almost 2 liters. I did mine with a vac also - good stuff.
After posting this video, I went back to an older Chilton manual for a 5th generation Honda Civic. It recommends leaving the bleeder valve closed. It would seem older cars without ABS recommend keeping the bleeder valve closed while newer cars with ABS recommend compressing the piston with bleeder valve open.
Thanks +hanoihancock for this video. I watched this a few times before starting the job and also kept it handy, in case I ran into issues. '03 Passat 4Motion Wagon, I followed all the instructions, except that I didn't bleed the valves. Went real slow while using the caliper piston tool. I did rear first, and the brake fluid didn't overflow in the reservoir. But the fluid started overflowing while I compressed Front Caliper pistons. Makes sense, as the front pistons are larger. I rented the Caliper tool from Autozone (loan-a-tool) for free. After all 4 axles were completed , I got the brake system flush at a mechanic shop (just for a safer feeling). I appreciate your video and the number of people it has enabled to perform the work. I saved a lot of money by doing it myself. THANK YOU!!
I have to say.. One of the best instructional videos I've seen. Super thankful. After reading the other comments and your responses, I am a bit torn on whether to clamp and bleed the lines. I did my girlfriends Honda brakes and rotors today and it was a bit spongy afterwards, so I had to take it to the shop to get them to bleed it. Of course it was the first time the brakes had been changed, ever, and it's a 2006. Thoughts?
Spongy? Bleed'em. It's not hard. 'S'matter'fact, This video pretty much shows you how to do it. Once you have the tube attached to the bleeder valve, pump the brake a few times to move fluid through the system, and have a friend close the bleeder valve when you are on a down stroke of the brake pedal. Done. Brakes bled.
Yesterday when I had to replace my brake pads on my B5 I was terrified that my guidepins had no protection from dust, but seeing that you B5,5 has no guidepins rubber dust protection i relaxed.
Very good video I just want to ask you about the break pads which is left and which is right or doesn't matter because I bought the pads from the Vw dealer for passat 2004 and in the pads ther is arrow on each pad pointing to a different direction.thank you very much and looking forward to hear from you
Hello I have a 2003 vw Passat I replaced pads and rotor I didn't crack the lines. I noticed when I break one pad catches before the other one. Is that because I didn't bleed the brakes thanks for your time.
Jon Wilson I don't think so. If you didn't crack the lines, there should be no chance of any air getting into either side to affect the braking. My guess is that one of your calipers is a bit rusted/corroded where the pad meets the caliper. Did the new pads slide in super easy, or was it difficult to wedge them into place? If the later, disassemble and clean off the calipers with a wire brush wheel attachment on a drill. Works like a charm.
Thanks man. I did bleed the brakes. I'm going to try what you mentioned and check the rail when the pads slide on. One other thing I noticed is that the new pads and rotors r grinding sound. Maybe it is because they r new I guess. Thanks for your time
408skills. I'm no pro, but... I don't think cutting either sensor wire would result in sluggish breaking. One sensor is only used to engage ABS when both wheels aren't spinning at the same rate. The other sensor is used to warn you when your brake pads are worn. You don't really need either, but the lack of ABS is much more concerning than the lack of a worn brake pad warning sensor. Do you know which sensor is cut? DO you have a warning light on your dash? What happens when you brake really hard on a slippery surface like snow or wet pavement?
Hi! Also i´ve a 2004 passat 3bg, and i changed the front brake pads 2 years ago. I don´t know why you drain the brake fluid ( it may be perhaps to drain old brake fluids from calipers?), neither why you close ducts with the tweezers and open at the same time the cap. I ask out of curiosity, not for criticizing ( i read you are follower of Eric ;) ). I enjoy with your tutorials, and the next week i wan to change the rear pads, uff. Regards from Pamplona, Spain.
