? about brake bleeding

ulrichd · 07-01-2011, 02:05 PM

About to do new rotors and Cool Carbon setup on my 128.

I have done a pad and rotor replacement on my Mini before and have not bled the system afterwards. Usually I take a bit of brake fluid out of the reservoir to keep it from overflowing when I push the pistons in. As long as I don't open the system (I keep the cap closed) no air will be ingested. Do I still need to bleed?

Thanks.

Focusedintntions · 07-01-2011, 02:14 PM

It's a good idea to bleed when doing pads b/c it's not just the air that gets in there...but brake fluid is hygroscopic meaning it collects water out of the air...you should bleed the fluid out once every couple years to ensure you don't get debris from the lines in there and cause calipers to seize.

DriveHard · 07-01-2011, 02:17 PM

Doing pad / rotor replacement will not required brake bleed. BUT you may want to do it if you track the car and its been a year or so since last time.

as far as the reservoir is concerned, if you have never topped it off, then no matter how far you push the pistons back, it will never overflow per-say..

I loosen the cap and leave it loose on top.

pixelblue · 07-01-2011, 02:22 PM

if you haven't bled your brakes so far, then you should. I would flush with new fluid if you are planning on tracking. also, if you close the cap you will never be able to push back the cylinders no matter whether you have removed fluid or not. you need to keep the cap open. get some motul RBF 600 and flush the brake fluid

ulrichd · 07-01-2011, 05:24 PM

Thanks for the info.

07-01-2011, 02:05 PM	#1
ulrichd Colonel 210 Rep 2,233 Posts Drives: 128i M-Sport Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (6)	? about brake bleeding About to do new rotors and Cool Carbon setup on my 128. I have done a pad and rotor replacement on my Mini before and have not bled the system afterwards. Usually I take a bit of brake fluid out of the reservoir to keep it from overflowing when I push the pistons in. As long as I don't open the system (I keep the cap closed) no air will be ingested. Do I still need to bleed? Thanks.
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07-01-2011, 02:14 PM	#2
Focusedintntions Colonel 105 Rep 2,696 Posts Drives: 2011 135i M-Sport :D Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: NoVA iTrader: (1)	It's a good idea to bleed when doing pads b/c it's not just the air that gets in there...but brake fluid is hygroscopic meaning it collects water out of the air...you should bleed the fluid out once every couple years to ensure you don't get debris from the lines in there and cause calipers to seize. __________________ Faster, faster, faster, until the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death… – Hunter Thompson
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07-01-2011, 02:17 PM	#3
DriveHard Colonel 117 Rep 1,998 Posts Drives: X1 and R58 JCW Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Long Island iTrader: (0)	Doing pad / rotor replacement will not required brake bleed. BUT you may want to do it if you track the car and its been a year or so since last time. as far as the reservoir is concerned, if you have never topped it off, then no matter how far you push the pistons back, it will never overflow per-say.. I loosen the cap and leave it loose on top. __________________ X1, R58 JCW, M2 in my future if planets align
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07-01-2011, 02:22 PM	#4
pixelblue Colonel 140 Rep 2,234 Posts Drives: the silver bullet Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: northern virginia iTrader: (2) Garage List 2010 135i [8.90]	if you haven't bled your brakes so far, then you should. I would flush with new fluid if you are planning on tracking. also, if you close the cap you will never be able to push back the cylinders no matter whether you have removed fluid or not. you need to keep the cap open. get some motul RBF 600 and flush the brake fluid __________________ "I would quote everything pixelblue said, but you've already read it. Take it from someone who's put the 1 through its paces"
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07-01-2011, 05:24 PM	#5
ulrichd Colonel 210 Rep 2,233 Posts Drives: 128i M-Sport Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (6)	Thanks for the info.
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