Brakes worse after bleeding!

Mar 7, 2011
582
1
Plymouth
I have just tried to bleed the brakes with a vacuum bleeder and they are now worse.

The back left brake was drawing a lot of air and I have no idea why. I made sure the reservoir was full at all times.

I ended up resorting with bleeding the 2 man method and I still only have brakes about half way down the pedal.

I have taken the car for a drive and activated the ABS so the car can still stop.

I also noticed that if I pull the parking brake up it will stop at about 3 clicks. If I push the foot brake and then apply the parking brake it stops at about 10 clicks!

Also if I push and hold the brake pedal it slowly drops to the floor. It has always done this though, is that right?

Does anyone know what I am doing wrong?

It is a 2002 Right hand drive Seat Leon Tdi.
 

tom t

Active Member
Feb 12, 2011
365
1
at this rate im going to be giving this a go at the weekend is the gunson easi bleed the likes of halfords sell for about £20 up to the job? is that what you used bud?
 
Mar 7, 2011
582
1
Plymouth
Nah I used a vacuum bleeder from a friend at work, I gave up in the end and tried the 2 man method however the brakes are still bad and I only have brakes at half pedal.

I took the car out and got the ABS going to try and make sure there was no air in there and I will bleed using the 2 man method again this weekend.

Is it true that you should not push the foot pedal to the floor during bleeding or not?
 
Last edited:

Dan1720v

Active Member
Feb 28, 2010
1,928
2
Street, Somerset
It's true. You can either tear the servo diaphragm, or if you push too quick/return the caliper piston too fast you can flip the seals in the master cylinder.
 

Steely

semiskimmed cupra R
Dec 30, 2008
1,425
5
Doncaster
It's true. You can either tear the servo diaphragm, or if you push too quick/return the caliper piston too fast you can flip the seals in the master cylinder.

:p im living proof - dead servo'd about 2 years back, my own fault by pumping to the floor

you can pump the pedal to bleed, but only 60% travel, do not floor it!
 
Mar 7, 2011
582
1
Plymouth
This may be a little late however I have driven with it and the brakes still work and the fluid is not dropping. How would I know If the servo is damaged?
 
Mar 7, 2011
582
1
Plymouth
The brake pedal is still working (not stiff) so I might be in luck!

I have not bled the clutch yet either so I will do that later today.

Can someone tell me the exact order of what to bleed when please?
 

tom t

Active Member
Feb 12, 2011
365
1
Was gana say, you had me worried for a minute. Just done them yesterday
 

clarky5178

Guest
How do you bleed the clutch on these cars. Just the same as the rest of them crack it and pump the pedal in and out slowly?
 
Mar 7, 2011
582
1
Plymouth
Well I have been looking but decided to do it the old fashioned way with 2 people.

I made sure the person in the car did not press to the floor and I rebled the whole car following the following procedure.

1: Bleed the Rear Left
2: Bleed the Rear Right
3: Bleed the Front Left
4: Bleed the Front Right
5: Bleed the Clutch (Pump 10 times fast and hold, Open the bleed nipple and when it sinks to the floor lock the nipple, repeat this about 10 times)
6: Bleed the Master Cylinder

Job done. The pedal feels really sharp. It still moves a little before it begins to brake but at slow speeds you can feel it working and at high speeds the pedal is nice and firm and the braking ability now feels very good and confident.

Thanks for all the help, once again I could not have done it without the assistance. (I think bleeding the master cylinder is what did it).
 
SEATCUPRA.NET Forum merchandise