Solo Brake Bleeding Options

[EdwardBlume]

I have a spongy brake pedal that firms up upon pumping. No visible leaks, I think the brakes just need bleeding.

Any good how to descriptions, especially how I can do it by myself? What equipment is needed to fill fluid?

Thanks,
Rob

[smj]

I've used the Motive pressure bleeders for years. You can probably get a firmer pedal with good execution of the two person methods, but it was good enough when I was doing 20+ DE days in a season and lacked a helper..

With that setup, a liter was generally enough to flush a 944S - might need less with the 914. It was certainly enough for my /4 the other day.

And I would alternate between Ate Super Blue and Ate Gold (Typ 200) fluid for the kind of easy visual check Rich mentioned, but I think I heard/read somewhere that only gold/yellow fluid was legal now in the States... (Ah, in 2013 according to Hooniverse - though I see links for it from US retailers via Google Search)

I've still got the original 17mm master cylinder in the /4, and I'd describe the performance as: Meh. If bleeding doesn't help, check the MC and lines - and you probably already know that upgrading to the 19mm MC is very popular...