Second day of brake restoration, started off rather well but went sour at the end. Borrowed a pressure bleeding tool to make the job a one man show, plus made sure that I had all the tools to do the job from the start. Turns out all you need for bleeding the whole brake system is a pressure bleeder kit, a waste bottle, 8mm and 11mm spanners and a jack. Don’t even need to take the wheels off (although it may help).
The rears bled OK, did drivers side first, then passenger, when to do the front drivers side and the bloody bleed nipple was rusted and rounded off but the previous mechanics. Whoever worked on this car before really wasn’t a good mechanic, when I find out who it was I shall name and shame them publicly. Have a suspicion which garages it could be…
Anyway, options now are to remove the wheel for better access, clamp the line and try to replace the bleed nipple with a new one in situ, but chances are it’ll have to come off and go on the work bench. I’ve refurbished calipers before so it’ll be no hardship to remove both the fronts and give them a total rebuild and possibly a lick of paint for looks.
Also discovered coolant dripping out from under the engine when jacked up, traced it back up following the damp trail and surprise, surprise it was coming front the thermostat housing! At least this wasn’t another job adding to the list as I was doing that job anyway. Chances are I’ll postpone any more work on the car until I can get it towed and into a proper workshop to get it up on 4 axel stands and properly stripped down (bumpers off, wheels and suspension off, the lot!).
Stay tuned for project “Teeth Cutting” restoration updates now, the dream of “Wheeler Dealer” style is over as there’s no profit left now.