Cannondaleriders

Well... I'm beind a real moron now... to many things going on at once... I've been bleeding my breaks for 2 days!!!!,, accidently bought dot3 instead of 4... im assuming that wont fly?

I would try to flush out the DOT3 with some DOT4. It is not the reason you are haveing trouble bleeding them. I don't think the DOT3 will harm anything. the 4 has a higher boiling point both dry and wet. plus it Keeps any moisture suspended better to keep parts from corroding.

are you haveing trouble with the front or rear? on front brakes I find it hard to force the air down to the calipers. what I usealy do is, put a hose that fits tight on the bleeder and long enough to loop and come down into a bottle (clear is perferable). put enough brake fluid in the bottle so the end of the hose is submerged. fill the resevore replace cap then pump the lever fairly quick and make sure you don't run out in the resivore. you can keep doing this until the bubbles stop completely. or until you are getting mostly fluid out of the hose then do other side. then you can try the reguler way of pumping them up, hold and bleed. I usealy give the air a few minuts to seperate out and bleed again.

one thing I not sure of. is it possible to install the calipers on the wrong side? If so, you want to make sure your bleeders are at the top.

I dont understand the bottle.. do I or dont I put brake fluid in it?

you do.

I like doing it the easy way.Fill up resevoir.Leave cover off.Ziptie the lever tight to the bar.Crack open the brake banjo bolt till fluid runs out then close it.Do both.If none comes out dont fret.Pushing the pads all the way in helps.Then go in the house for the night or day and come out next day and see how it is.Most times it is perfect.

Do you think that way will allow the brake fluid to absorb water?

Thats the bad thing about brake fluid. I think it can absorb 1% per year in a closed brake system. so open for even 12 hrs if the humidity is high would be bad. Water drops the boiling point and decreases its lubricateing abilties, not to mention corrosion caused from moisture.

after thinking about it, I don't think you have to leave the lid off of the master cyl. I have used the zip tie method 27 talked about on our Banshee. When I couldn't qiute get all the air out but had a steady streem of fluid comming out of the bleeder. I would just rig the lever in the aplied position over night, then release and brakes were good to go.

I'm going to try that this year. My brakes have never felt as good as I think they should.

Alright i quit... I've been bleeding these brakes for 3 days!!! I dont think the dot 3 works??????????? going to get 5 tomorrow...I CAN"T EVENT GET THE SIMPLEST OF JOBS TO GO SMOOTH ON THIS THING!!!!!!!!