41 replies to this topic

[nicksuth]

Spent most of today wrestling with converting a 98 MPi front brakes to MG Metro 4 pot caliper and vented disc - it sounded so easy and straight forward?????
After pouring nearly 3 litres of brake fluid through the system I still have a spongy brake pedal, anyone got any ideas?
I'm sure I have the calipers on the correct side (as per Metro manual) with the single bleed nipple at the top and the other two below but with nipples pointing "up"?
The one thing I'm not sure about and could not find any instructions on was which brake pipe fits up against the caliper?
I have the main brake pipe flush with the caliper on the bottom connection and the link pipe on the outside of the main pipe which is then connected to the other top inlet. Tried the other combination of link pipe on the inside but couldnt get it flat to caliper as it fouled agianst the caliper.



Brakes bled in accordance with manual (back n/s, back o/s, front n/s top, front n/s middle two, and front o/s top and front o/s middle two) and afte 3 litres fluid looked clean and "bubble free".

Even tried taking it for a quick (and carefull) spin to bed everything in but still spongy???

PS - it does "pump up" with about 3 pumps but then drops away again (sounds like air but god knows where it is)

[luke6040]

What method are you using to bleed them, are you using one of those easy bleed things http://www.minispare....aspx?pid=33522 if not may be worth a try they make life very easy and tend to push the hard to get bubbles out.

[nicksuth]

I have an easy-bleed system but was using someone in the car to "up/down/up/down/up/down etc. etc. etc.",

How does the easy-bleed work (not opened the box to read instructions yet).

I know you connect the spare wheel to the system to use air pressure to bleed but do you still need to press the pedal or just lock the pedal in the down postion with a piece of wood?

[luke6040]

I have an easy-bleed system but was using someone in the car to "up/down/up/down/up/down etc. etc. etc.",

How does the easy-bleed work (not opened the box to read instructions yet).

I know you connect the spare wheel to the system to use air pressure to bleed but do you still need to press the pedal or just lock the pedal in the down postion with a piece of wood?

you just huck the cap onto the fluid tank in the car and put the other end on your tire, then open the nipple on the caliper no need to touch the brake. It really makes life easy.

[nicksuth]

Okay, thanks.

I've just found the bix, it's a "Gunson Easi-Bleed" but I guess the idea's the same???

Job for next weekend when all my cuts, grazes have healed and the hydraulic fluid has been replenished (if I could wring my hands out there's probably 1/2 a saturated into them???)

[luke6040]

Okay, thanks.

I've just found the bix, it's a "Gunson Easi-Bleed" but I guess the idea's the same???

Job for next weekend when all my cuts, grazes have healed and the hydraulic fluid has been replenished (if I could wring my hands out there's probably 1/2 a saturated into them???)

Thats the one i use. Well recommended

[roofless]

I had this problem on mine - turned out I had them the wrong side - left on the right, right on the left - for some reason this stopped the system pressurising properly. once swapped over they were fine.

then the wheel bearings started to fail and you could pressure the brakes up fine, but within a mile they went as soft as poop again.

[nicksuth]

Anyone used a similar brake hose kit (with the link pipe)?

I'm just not 100% sure I have the pipes the right way around?

I know the main pipe goes to the lower connection but which pipe banjo goes up against the caliper? Main pipe or link pipe?

Anyone got any photos of their's???

[Ethel]

The calipers are the right way up. Are you using a Metro hose? It will be a bit long on a Mini, watch they don't kink, get trapped, or hang low enough to snag. If it pumps up it will most likely be trapped air. If you open the bleed screws you can push the pistons back to expel air from the calipers.

Ignore the Metro hose bit it obviously is a shorter hose...

I've got the Minispares braided kit, I'll take a piccy tomorrow if needs be, I think it's set up much as yours.

Edited by Ethel, 13 July 2008 - 11:10 PM.

[nicksuth]

The pipe kit is for converting Metro Calipers to a Mini so I guess it should be okay? I did try lock to lock and while it looks too long in compressed lock it's correct in extended lock (if you know what I mean?).

The calipers have been rebuilt with new stainless pistons and new seals but I did have to push them all the wa back to flush to get the pads in on the inner (outer only about 0.5mm clearance, I actually wondered if it should have had a shim in between the caliper mount and the hub to get the correct offset but it would only be 0.25mm so I guess it' just a nominal fit?)

[nicksuth]

I had this problem on mine - turned out I had them the wrong side - left on the right, right on the left - for some reason this stopped the system pressurising properly. once swapped over they were fine.

then the wheel bearings started to fail and you could pressure the brakes up fine, but within a mile they went as soft as poop again.

So did you have the single bleed nipple at the bottom?

I downloaded (from somwhere, minimania maybe) some instructions and it referred to "bleed 2 nipples at the top simultaneously and the one on the bottom" = now that's upside down surely????

[luke6040]

i think roofless means same way up but on the other sides.

[nicksuth]

But if there on the wrong side they would have to be upside down wouldn't they (as they are left and right handed) or have I had too much John Smith's tonight ????

[luke6040]

i cant get my head around it to be honest....but i think they can fit on either side but the top bleed niple will be at the front not at the back.
Maybe we need a picture of roofless's setup lol

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Edited by luke6040, 13 July 2008 - 11:30 PM.

[nicksuth]

I tried them on each side and the top nipple defo goes to the bottom when on the wrong side - see pics.