[me73]

TBH, I have found that you cannot effectively vacuum bleed the lines in these cars for the reasons you stated.

I would think it's a problem on any car.

 

[hans001]

Man! All this brake bleeding talk has me wondering if I bled my brakes right last time. And as little as I drive her, I may need to go for a test and tune run, which Im sure local law enforcement will understand. So what was it again; 100mph and slam on the brakes?

 

[JMack77]

100mph and slam on the brakes?

I note that I was able to induce ABS on a deserted paved road at 80mph when I was dealing with the soft pedal issue after my SS line installation in 2024. Don't think you need to get all the way to 100mph. 🤷‍♂️

 

[S260Sport]

I personally like vacuum bleeding or old school peddle pumping with a one way bleeder bottle.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/aaf-all11017?seid=srese1&ppckw=pmax-tools&gclid=Cj0KCQjw0NPGBhCDARIsAGAzpp36_cutZaT6iub7-NFFrO1JiegS075GI1rN6yDUmdPHMrtNzqTumsYaAtQ8EALw_wcB

Pulling vs. pushing. I have never been a fan of the pressure technique, but everyone's experience is different.

I have owned one Elise ('05), one Exige S ('07) and now an Exige 260 ('10). Each one has had a certain amount
of peddle movement prior to feeling the brakes apply. I have never had a dealership use their ABS tool to open the chambers and bleed.
Just home "shade tree" work that has all yielded very similar peddle feel and operation.

 

[itsagoodday]

For me - turning the calipers over while bleeding allowed the last bit of air to get out. I know it sounds wacky. But it worked for me. once there's air in the lines it always rises to the top. I had to remove the calipers, turn them upside down, bleed them and put them back. After that I got 85% of my brake firmness back. I still haven't tried the ABS trick to go after the other 15%.

On the Elige inverting the front calipers is something I needed to do as well. The cross over point of the front brakes can trap air.

I use pressure bleeders to start but always finish with conventional bleeding. The force generated by the pedal and quick release of the bleeder moves air that would otherwise just hang out. We do a lot of bleeding while racing. (every time the car goes out). We always have to finish with conventional bleeding to get last bits of air out of the lines.

But definitely try to see if you have bubbles trapped in the caliper. The flipping upside down and tapping the calipers cured it for me one time I was having a very stubborn time with and Elise.

 

[Certified Lotus]

Who did you have to kill to get a Lotus scan tool?

Good to have friends😎

 

[Certified Lotus]

And, Why did you move so far away???? 🥴

Completely moved from sports cars to back to boating. It’s a good thing😎

 

[carbuff]

Completely moved from sports cars to back to boating. It’s a good thing😎

So, instead of pouring your money into a hole in the pavement, you throw it into a hole in the water?