Rear brake nipple -what size spanner please?

[Andrew S]

Hi Julian

Thanks for your feedback and comments re over adjusting. I feel they can as well but just cant get my head around as to how. I mean, normally you would adjust a drum so that the shows were as close as you dare and then you have minimum play when you apply the brake pedal. This was all I was doing using this tool which would take up another notch on the adjuster.

Cheers
Andrew

[wilf]

Andrew - a word of caution about silicon brake fluid. Yes, it doesn't ruin paintwork, and yes it is not hygroscopic, but therein lies the problem. Any water in the system (and there will be some) will clump into larger droplets, and can cause corrosion, plus if it does the clumping anywhere near high temps, can boil off and voila! no brakes. And of course, some seals don't like it and can swell.

Silicon brake fluids are for race cars where very high brake temps can be seen, and where systems get drained and refilled on a regular basis. Personally I would recommend a DOT 4 or 4.1 fluid as being perfectly good enough for a road car.

Just my humble, but borne out by experience. Trouble is now you have it in there, you will have to keep it as the system seals won't like re-exposure to "normal" brake fluids. Just don't think that it doesn't ever need changing simply because it doesn't absorb moisture.

[Firept]

Andrew.
I have never had any problems with the silicone fluid but it does need some tlc after use for some time so be aware.
interesting point I have just found whilst rebuilding the engine I know that I have a very slight weep of silicone fluid into the brake servo as I am loosing about 1/32" to 1/16" level in 500 miles and its not leaking anywhere else but the effect has been to completey clean the inlet valves there was not a speck of crud on them compared with the others. Perhaps I ought to set up a bleed of silicone into the inlet manifold to keep the engine clean who knows!

Paul.

[87bor]

I went out and bought both 1/4" and 7mm and found the 7mm a perfect fit. Bleeding the brakes is proving to be a pain though. Rear brakes finally bled up OK after a bit of patience but no go on the front. There is fluid in the calipers but pumping the pedal produces little fluid and air. May need a vacuum kit to suck the stuff out. Or maybe it's boy wonder (Son) who pumps the pedal like he's at the gym pumping iron and as a result getting air back into the system.

Barry

[73stagman]

1/4 AF and also I discovered that fish tank airline fits on the bleeders just lovely!

[73stagman]

I also managed to reset the PDWA valve by just and so cracking open one rear bleed nipple and very gently pushing the brake pedal with the ignition on.... the very bright PDWA fail light went dim and there was a distinct feel through the pedal as the valve reset.
And I have used Silicone fluid in the brake and clutch system

[dasadrew]

I went out and bought both 1/4" and 7mm and found the 7mm a perfect fit. ...

Barry

I have a sneaking suspicion that Andrew has bled the brakes now since he asked about the size in January 2012!

Drew

[Rubce]

I have a sneaking suspicion that Andrew has bled the brakes now since he asked about the size in January 2012!

Drew

you think!

[Andrew S]

Yes, it was a while ago, but guess what, I am going to do them again soon as they have gone back to how they were and not happy