Audi A4 B6 Avant - Brake Bleeding - Handbrake On?

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Wed 10 Apr 2013 11:02
Audi A4 B6 Avant - Brake Bleeding - Handbrake On? - A3 A4

I am about to tackle the job of flushing the brake fluid in my 2002 A4 Avant, a job I have done on other cars and have the Gunson pressure bleeding kit.

The problem I have is that my drive is slightly inclined and when jacking the car to remove the wheels to gain acces to the bleed nipples I would be happier if I could leave the handbrake on, however the Haynes manual says release handbrake.

Would leaving the hanbrake on cause any problems in the bleeding process?

Any help or advice on doing the job gratefully recieved.

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Wed 10 Apr 2013 11:14
Audi A4 B6 Avant - Brake Bleeding - Handbrake On? - Cris_on_the_gas

Can you chock the wheels ?

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Wed 10 Apr 2013 11:17
Audi A4 B6 Avant - Brake Bleeding - Handbrake On? - A3 A4

I can and will, but was interested as to the reason for needing the handbrake to be released?

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Wed 10 Apr 2013 12:43
Audi A4 B6 Avant - Brake Bleeding - Handbrake On? - Collos25

Maybe the handbrake works of the rear disc pads.

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Wed 10 Apr 2013 12:53
Audi A4 B6 Avant - Brake Bleeding - Handbrake On? - A3 A4

It does, but is operated by cable not hydraulics?

Edited by A3 A4 on 10/04/2013 at 12:53

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Wed 10 Apr 2013 15:11
Audi A4 B6 Avant - Brake Bleeding - Handbrake On? - Cris_on_the_gas

Pretty sure the handbrake works on a hub brake on the rear wheels.

Can't see any problem with having thison while bleeding brakes. Might be more concerned if car on slope of getting all the air out of system for the lower calipers.

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Wed 10 Apr 2013 17:22
Audi A4 B6 Avant - Brake Bleeding - Handbrake On? - madf

I have never bled brakes with the handbrake on. I always chcok the wheels at the side not being jacked up and put the car in gear (manual) or Park (auto)..

With drum rears the handbrake on reduces wheel cylinder movement and impairs bleeding volumes.

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Wed 10 Apr 2013 18:13
Audi A4 B6 Avant - Brake Bleeding - Handbrake On? - Collos25

If it has got seperate drum rear handbrake cable operated then it will not make the slightest difference whether its on or off.

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Wed 10 Apr 2013 18:26
Audi A4 B6 Avant - Brake Bleeding - Handbrake On? - injection doc

use diagnostic equipment and set the ABS in bleed mode, thats the only way to change the brake fluid properly

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Thu 11 Apr 2013 10:46
Audi A4 B6 Avant - Brake Bleeding - Handbrake On? - scotmech

Regardless of whether it is drum or disc brakes, and hand brake on or off.

After bleeding all brakes go to each wheel again and give it 2 more bleeds with the brake held down (same pressure as an MOT brake test) open bleed nipple then close when brake pedal is fully down.

Wait 6 seconds with the brake pedal up for the master cylinder to recover the fluid that has been used, if you watch the master cylinder after you lift the pedal it takes about 6 seconds for the level to go down.

On some models the wheel cylinders and calipers can trap a small amount of air and normal bleeding can bypass this air.

Holding pressure on compresses this air and purges it out of the bleed nipple

use an assistant to press the brake.

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