JoeC427

Hello,

I replaced all of the brake components on my 75 during the past week. Master Cylinder (manual no power booster) Rotors, Pads, Stock Calipers, Hard Lines, Proportioning Valve, everything that came on the car stock. The issue I've been having is I still can't get the pedal feel back to where is was when I started. I've been using a mighty vac to bleed the brakes, but still no go. The brakes are working, but the pedal goes to the floor. I did a search and found a lot of folks have run into similar issues. Has anyone tried the Russell Speed Bleeders? What about a Motive Pressure Tool vs. what I have now? Any advise would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Joe

Gordonm

I have tried just about all of the tools for this. The motive is about the best. That being said thier plastic plate is terrible. I know use my own system and have probably 20 plus complete brake jobs with my own. I have a steel plate with a pliable rubber pad. I drilled and tapped an air fitting in this. I fill the master up with fluid and C clamp the late and gasket down. Hook it up to about 15 to 20 pounds of air pressure. I can open the bleeder for about 15 to 20 seconds and still have a decent amount of fluid In the cylinder. It takes about 2 total fills to completely bleed a dry system. I can do the total bleed process by myself in about 15 minutes. It has always provided a rock hard pedal.

All those vacuum pumps and plastic bleeding tools to me are a waste of money. The Motive system is very good if the plastic plate was a better design. The Chain clamps are worthless. My .02

gjohnson

The only thing thats ever worked for me was the old fashioned gravity bleed.

ignatz

My wife "loves" this job and I haven't found anything that works better.

Jeff_Keryk

I have done brake jobs on dozens of cars. Generally it is pretty darn easy; brakes are simple. I have done brake jobs on 3 C3's. Pain in the butt. I consider a brake system that is not simple to bleed a bad design. The only way I could get a hard pedal was using the Motive Bleeder. Remember to bench bleed your master cylinder. I hook up the Motive, pressurize it to 10 psi, and go around twice. Viola - a hard pedal. Easy money...
This is my experience.

JoeC427

Thanks for the reply's so far. This is Freakin crazy! I ordered the speed bleeders from Summit tonight. Going to give those a try. I also may go ahead and get the motive pressure tank. I can't believe they don't offer a better master cylinder cover. What if I just installed a later model calipers. I hate to just keep throwing money at this thing. I need to be a 100% sure she's going to stop at the end of the quarter mile. I'm not to keen on the aftermarket stuff. The C3 brakes have always worked well with no issues. That what I get for replacing these 40 year old parts. Just frustrated at the moment

Any other techniques out there for bleeding this system?

tonak

I replaced my MC and used speed bleeders to great effect. Pedal was hard. Years later, I just replaced my MC again and can't achieve a hard pedal. I have a motiv but only the usual adaptor plate which is worthless in my hands anyway. Speed bleeders are ok but I think you need to see what's going on so you are back to two people. I do have a lower vacuum from engine due to a new cam so I wonder if that's part of my issue. Like I said , speed bleeders can work well but I think it helps to watch what's going on, otherwise you are just guessing if you pumped enough

JoeC427

Do you recall which motive bleeder you have?

There are two listed on summits website....

JoeC427

JoeC427

Thanks man, Did you get the 2 quart or the 4 quart Motive Pressure Bleeder?

Brass Pass

Last time I had to bleed brakes I used the speed bleeders and they worked well, or so I thought. Unfortunately, my brakes are acting up again so I bought on of these off Amazon:



I haven't tried it so I can't throw my 2 cents in on if it works or how well it works yet.

JoeC427

Thanks for the input. I saved the link. Just went ahead and order the Motive Pressure Bleeder based on feed back from the other guys. I'm going to need another tool box just to hold all the brake bleeding tools, which I may only use once every couple of years. Oh well, if it works I'm happy. I can always send one out to another forum member who may need some help. Keep you guys posted on how it goes.

1969RAY

Original question...Russell Speed Bleeders...they have worked great for me. And you did bench bleed your master?

PeteZO6

I have the same tool! I bought it from Harbor Freight for about the same price. I haven't used it yet, but friends who have used one said it works well. It seems less messy than a power bleeder to me. I'll report back in a couple of weeks when I bleed my brakes after a caliper replacement.

Pete

alconk

Man have I ever been through the troublesome of bleeding my brakes. Ended up replacing everything and used my Motive setup with the aluminum plat and a C-clamp and still could not get a hard pedal. Ended up having the wife pump the pedal which I finally got a hard pedal but now it's extremely touchy??? Good luck.

Brass Pass

I'll be very curious to hear how it works out. It will be at least a couple of weeks for me also after I finish up my Vintage Air install and interior refresh.

Maybe I'll see you around town one of these days.

Jeff_Keryk

When I bought mine, you could order the bleeder and any master cylinder adapters you wanted. Things have changed and prices are up. Something like this should work:
Be sure and get the adapter tight on the master cylinder. Check for leaks as you pressurize the bleeder.

80-Vette

Speed Bleeders worked great for me. It was the easiest brake bleeding I have ever done.

CWerner

Motive pressure bleeder but I added their aluminum plate instead of the plastic one. Worked like a charm.

biscuitville

I have a Motive unit and the clamping chain system sucks.
Added an aluminum plate on top and use a big C-clamp.
Works great.
Good luck.