Ray,

I believe the bently recommended procedure is to open the cap on the resivoir
behind the speedometer under the plastic dash lid. If the fluid is low enuf I just
squeeezed the piston with a pair of channel locks to allow for the extra room for
the new brake pads; however if the brake fluid resivoir isreally full you may have
to siphon(carefully and be very clean) some fluid out to avoid the overflow
running down inside the dash.
They are self adjusting after a few pumps of the pedal way before you get to the
stopping point to allow them time to adjust. make sure you do both at the same
time for even braking. check the wheel bearings while you are in there and inspect
the upper control arm bushings if you have the time.
If you don't have a Bently "official" VW Service manual you should think about
investing in one if you are going to wrench on your own bus.
I have never needed to touch the bleed valve during a normal pad replacement.

Good luck and I hope this helps some.

Mike

87 Westy
87Wolf W/E
89 Jetta

Ray Tubbs wrote:

> Attempting to replace front pads but the piston in the caliper won't budge.
> Decided to open the bleeder valve to reduce the pressure and nothing happened.
> Took the valve out completely and still nothing.  When you peer inside it
> looks dry with a tiny spot of rust.  Time for new calipers?