Two questions about the A2 brakes

dan_b

dan_b

A2OC Donor
Ok, maybe three :)

1. what's the capacity of the brake fluid system - ie. what's a reasonable volume of new fluid to bleed through when doing a fluid change

2. where are the bleed nipples on front and back, are they easily accessible?

3. I hate to admit this, but I've never actually stripped down drum brakes before, and mine need doing (squealing from parked, handbrake becoming harder to engage). How straightforward is it, any guides?

When i had the bonnet off at the weekend I noticed that the fluid looks a little grey and cloudy, so I'm going to do a fluid change, clean out the rear brakes, and then wait until the front pads wear down enough to warrant a front disc and pad change, probably not for a while yet, but I'll drop a set of Ferodo DS pads in the front when I do. Reckon I'll put in some ATE Super Blue Fluid - great brake fluid that, very high performance wet and dry boiling points, and it's coloured blue to make the fluid changes easier! Will dig out my trusty Gunsons EziBleed from the cellar too...
 
Hi,

Not for an A2 but for a Smart car I find this site very useful for such jobs, with clear step by step guides for jobs such as front and rear brakes.

www.evilution.co.uk

2 litre of fluid will be more than enough. I only used 1 litre when I did mine, but the fluid ran clear very quickly.

The Ezebleed kit has a simple guide too I believe.
 
Thanks!
I've done plenty of fluid changes on my S2, but that didn't have drum brakes - Brembo 4-pot calipers, much more fun!

So, 1 litre will be enough you think?
 
dan_b said:
Thanks!
I've done plenty of fluid changes on my S2, but that didn't have drum brakes - Brembo 4-pot calipers, much more fun!

So, 1 litre will be enough you think?
Click to expand...

Buy two 1 litre bottles. The you can return one if you don't need it.
 
You'll find that the front nipples are 11mm and the rears are 7mm - be prepared!

Cheers,

Mike

PS Don't forget the clutch too.
 
Different sized nipples? Clutch nipple/ Oh dear, Mr Scaramanga all is forgiven!

Where's the clutch bleed point then? What's the best bleed order? I was assuming right back, left back, left front, right front.
 
Yes, fronts and clutch (look above the gearbox for the nipple - facing towards the cabin) are 11mm and the rears are 7mm.

The manuals all suggest starting at the furthest point from the reservoir, but in practise, it's not that important - you'll see when you've done when the blue comes through. What is important to bear in mind though is that the first one you do will take longest, as you're not just bleeding the brake line, but emptying the reservoir too!

Cheers,

Mike
 
I'm planning on ordering the mintex shoes available on ebay for the rear drums, should I order any other parts for when I investigate the rear drums?
 
Dan, are you doing the rear shoes yourselves? I've never done drum brakes before and would be interested.
 
It's a bit of a hassle, but I'd open up the rear drums first and inspect to see what else might need changing. Though it's most likely that just the shoes will need changing.
 
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