Want to know tubing size for bleeding brakes

**GTA** · 11-25-2015 01:57 PM

I've sifted through a lot of info but can't seems to find out the exact size of clear tubing needed to bleed my brakes. Basically looking for the Inside Diameter (ID) of the bleed nipple so I can get the proper clear tubing to manually bleed my brakes this weekend with my buddy. I know I can squirt it on the ground but I want to be enviro friendly as well as see how tainted the old stuff is.

I really don't want to lay out for a power bleeder (yet) so I'm doing it the old fashioned way with two people starting with the caliper farthest away from the Master Cylinder: Right rear, Left rear, Right front, Left front and then the clutch slave cylinder.

With this said, would 1L be enough to do everything including the clutch slave cylinder? Or do I need to get 2L from Audi?

Thanks in advance everyone.

**crazyquik22023** · 11-25-2015 02:28 PM

1/4" ID tubing will work fine. And you should get 3 quarts of fluid to be safe. 2 might be enough but I would definitely have at least 3 on hand

**Let it snow** · 11-25-2015 02:34 PM

I had to replace my brake booster a while back. So I had to bleed my system too. I did it manually without any problems. I think 1/4" ID is good. Whatever will fit tight over the bleeder valve. You don't want to bleed it to the ground you want to put the other end of the bleeder hose into a container and submerge it with brake fluid. This way you can sees the bubbles and it won't get drawn back into the system.

**GTA** · 11-26-2015 08:19 AM

1/4" ID tubing will work fine. And you should get 3 quarts of fluid to be safe. 2 might be enough but I would definitely have at least 3 on hand

From what I mostly read, usually 1L is good enough for the entire system. Or am I missing something? That stuff's expensive from Audi: CAD$36 per Liter - Ouch!

I had to replace my brake booster a while back. So I had to bleed my system too. I did it manually without any problems. I think 1/4" ID is good. Whatever will fit tight over the bleeder valve. You don't want to bleed it to the ground you want to put the other end of the bleeder hose into a container and submerge it with brake fluid. This way you can sees the bubbles and it won't get drawn back into the system.

So 1/4" ID it is. Am I correct in bleeding it out the 'normal' way? RR, LR, RF, LF and then the clutch slave? In other words, Bentley's suggests bleeding it out the nipples nearer the master first, which is the opposite of what I intend to do. Is it because Bentley's procedure uses a power bleeder? I'd like to know your procedure when you bled it out manually, Let It Snow?

**seanf86** · 11-26-2015 09:04 AM

when I manually bleed I start farthest away, I also don't use the $36L Audi fluid, I just get a reputable brand of DOT4 from the local parts place for much less, last time I think it was NAPA DOT4.

**GTA** · 11-26-2015 09:06 AM

when I manually bleed I start farthest away, I also don't use the $36L Audi fluid, I just get a reputable brand of DOT4 from the local parts place for much less, last time I think it was NAPA DOT4.

That is good to know sean. It sucks to be held captive to Cad prices, I'm sure you know

Holy crap! The Pentosin Super DOT4 is $60/L LOL! Almost twice the price of OEM brake fluid at $36/L. It's my stock daily driver and I don't track it. I'm just looking to use quality stuff equivalent to OE.

I've found a local supplier that sells Fuchs MAINTAIN DOT4 for $15/L which is a helluva lot more reasonable than the others. I've use Fuchs 'Oil Finder' on their website http://fuchs-eu.lubricantadvisor.com....aspx?Lang=eng and it specifies that I can use either their MAINTAIN DOT4 or MAINTAIN DOT5.1 products on my '03 A4 1.8T Q's Hydraulic Brake/Clutch System. I don't think this is a bad choice.

**Charles.waite** · 11-26-2015 12:11 PM

Pentosin is $12/L at my local parts store. What ripoff store are you getting your pricing from?!

Also 2L is plenty. You could maybe squeak by with 1L but it's better to have more than less.

**GTA** · 11-26-2015 12:37 PM

I got a quote of CAD$59.95 for Pentosin Super DOT4 from Napa Canada over the phone and he insists it was for only 1L but I suspect it was for a jug for that price. That guy sounded like a douche.

Anyway, the Fuchs was back ordered and I've found a local garage selling ATE SL6 brake fluid for CAD$20/L tax in so I'm going with that instead. I ordered 2L and he has to order it in so I'll pick it up tomorrow along with a 5L jug of Motul Excess 8100 5W40 oil that he stocks for CAD$45 tax in.

Thanx for chiming in Charles.

**Charles.waite** · 11-26-2015 01:24 PM

No worries. Any decent DOT 4 fluid will work just fine for street use.

**GTA** · 11-26-2015 01:35 PM

I've heard that from other experienced members on this board. What concerns me are others suggesting the magnesium part of our braking systems can be damaged by using the wrong fluid. If what you say is true, then I can use Prestone synthetic DOT 4 fluid? It's only like CAD$11/L from Parts Source locally. That's a really reasonable price and it's a lot closer to me.

**seanf86** · 11-27-2015 06:56 AM

Originally Posted by GTA

I've heard that from other experienced members on this board. What concerns me are others suggesting the magnesium part of our braking systems can be damaged by using the wrong fluid. If what you say is true, then I can use Prestone synthetic DOT 4 fluid? It's only like CAD$11/L from Parts Source locally. That's a really reasonable price and it's a lot closer to me.

The prestone is what I've got in my garage right now and what I flushed my rear brakes with when I did B7 A4 rear brake swap last winter, did not have any brake fluid related issues this summer. If you're on top of your bi annual brake flushes I wouldnt worry too much as long as its not some no name fluid you got from the discount bin.

**GTA** · 11-27-2015 08:17 AM

I get what you're saying Sean, and I'm ashamed to say that I haven't been on top of my brake flushes. This will be the first time doing them since I acquired the car 3+ years ago. Who knows how long since it was last done as I can't find anything in the stack of receipts the prior owner handed to me.

I'll go with the ATE SL.6 since I promised the guy I'd pick it up from him (for good relations).

It seems to me that brake system flushing is one of the most neglected part of any service. I've been around the block and every time I mention it, I get a blank look from even mechanics. Obviously they're aware of this type of service (including cooling system flushes) but they never seem inclined to do it as regularly scheduled service.

I should mention this to my mechanic buddy and see what he thinks about regular brake flushes. Maybe he will get a proper power bleeder that I can take advantage of

.

Anyway, I hope my bleeding nipples aren't seized when I attack them this weekend.

**texasboy21** · 11-27-2015 08:30 AM

Originally Posted by GTA

I get what you're saying Sean, and I'm ashamed to say that I haven't been on top of my brake flushes. This will be the first time doing them since I acquired the car 3+ years ago. Who knows how long since it was last done as I can't find anything on the stack of receipts the prior owner hand to me.

I'll go with the ATE SL.6 since I promised the guy I'd pick it up from him (for good relations).

It seems to me that brake system flushing is one of the most neglected part of any service. I've been around the block and every time I mention it, I get a blank look from even mechanics. Obviously they're aware of this type of service (including cooling system flushes) but they never seem inclined to do it as regularly scheduled service.

I should mention this to my mechanic buddy and see what he thinks about regular brake flushes. Maybe he will get a proper power bleeder that I can take advantage of

.

Anyway, I hope my bleeding nipples aren't seized when I attack them this weekend.

Brake fluid should be flushed annually. It's even more critical for humidifier minutes.

**SJorge3442** · 11-27-2015 08:37 AM

Originally Posted by texasboy21

Brake fluid should be flushed annually. It's even more critical for humidifier minutes.

Its hard enough to get people to get their cars inspected yearly, let alone to flush their brakes. Before getting my Audi, I never flushed brakes. No one ever explained to me how important it was to do it. Now all the vehicles I work on/service, get a brake flush regularly. Hell, my a4 should get one soon as its been about 2 years since my clutch job when I bled everything last.

Time to add it to the list.

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