Bleeding Broken Brakes

[AL16v]

I've seen posts along similar lines before but never really found a definitive answer.

Set up is as follows:
256mm fronts (from a '91 Jetta)
22mm master cylinder (new)
Standard rears (new discs and pads)

After bleeding the brakes several times (with load adjuster clamped in position and rear jacked up high) my pedal is still fairly spongey.  I have clamped the hoses in turn and isolated the problem to the rears.

I have had the calipers off and tried (best as I could) to follow the Haynes procedure for bleeding the calipers before refitting.

Any ideas for getting my pedal feel back ?

[golfvr6]

Jack the rear up as high as you can, pump the brake pedal about 40 times, then leave it to settle for half an hour then bleed the backs again. Do you keep get air bubble out of the back calipers when bleeding? or is the fluid clear?

[AL16v]

I'm not getting any air out at all - which is the problem.

The fluid runs clear (no bubbles) and is new.  ATE Dot4

I can only think that there is air trapped in the rear calipers - can they be bled upside down   or any other way ?

[golfvr6]

Try the trick i suggested.

[Gambit]

this may sound stupid, but you havent put them on back to front (upside down) have you? ie the right caliper rear on the left rear & vice versa?

the nipple is situated at the top when they are fitted yeah?

[golfvr6]

I don't think they would fit!

[AL16v]

Gambit - Calipers are the right way up (bleed nipple at the top).

I'll try the suggestions at the weekend.  The brakes work, it's just the pedal feel that doesn't inspire confidence.

Cheers

Al.

[golfvr6]

Are you using a pressure bleeder?

[mk1]

Clamp each flexi one at a time, check the brake pedal to see if improves. If it does, then that is were the air is, if no improvement, then the air is in the pipework or the m/cylinder. Had a golf once that I could not get a good pedal on, unbolted the rear calipers and put a old pad between the pads to stop the piston poping out, rolled the caliper around to let any air caught in the back of the piston come out into the caliper body. Then held the caliper so the bleeder was right at the top and hey presto, a good dose of air poped out. Re-fit and all was well, good luck.
Steve.

[AL16v]

Thanks guys, looks like I'll be busy at the weekend.