Bleeding brakes...

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Aug 10, 2007 | 10:25 AM

Me80C3

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Bleeding brakes...

Do ya start at the left front, or the rear? Closest to the res or furthest?I've heard both. "Old School" tells me to start at the front.

Aug 10, 2007 | 10:35 AM

Z-man

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From: Foxfield CO 1970 Convertible

Usually, farthest to closest - starting at passenger rear ending up at driver's front. Don't forget the inside bleeders in the rear.

Aug 10, 2007 | 10:47 AM

crazywelder

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From: Yooperville MI

The Vette procedure differs among different publications (GM, Chiltons, etc). GM manuals suggest that you start at the nearest wheel to the master, not the furthest. Chiltons suggests starting at the left rear, etc. Even if you do it in a different sequence than GM including starting at the furthest, it will work.

When bleeding the rears, start with the inner bleeder, then the outer. It sometimes helps to tap the top of the caliper with a rubber hammer to break some of the bubbles loose and speed up the process.

If you are doing the pedal method, make sure your helper doesn't release the brake pedal while you have the bleeder open.

Aug 10, 2007 | 11:43 AM

69camfrk

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From: GA "When I grow up, I'm gonna get a Trans Am and run from the cops". Direct quote from my 4yo son.

Do yourself a favor and get a power bleeder. My manual (Haynes) says drivers rear, pass rear, drivers front, pass front. And yes inner bleeder first on rear brakes if it is a '78-'82.

Aug 10, 2007 | 11:50 AM

Tecdiverfl

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From: Delray Beach FL

I vote also the power bleeder. I spent 2 days could not get the air out of the back. Power bleeder did it in 20 minutes

Aug 10, 2007 | 03:13 PM

TPI BOY

Burning Brakes

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From: STANTON CA

Aug 10, 2007 | 03:42 PM

gliot1

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From: Buckeye, AZ

St. Jude Donor '12-'13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Z-man

Usually, farthest to closest - starting at passenger rear ending up at driver's front. Don't forget the inside bleeders in the rear.

This won't work very well on a C3. I have seen it tried a number or times. most cars this is the preferred method. but on C3s you may bleed until you are blue in the face. LR, RR, LF, RF

If you do it by the Chevy shop manual order as above, you will get a hard pedal in one pass. I had an agruement with a seasoned stock car builder bleeding a Vette who said it is always farthese to closet. I let him go about three or four passes and then politely asked him to humor me and do it per the shop manual. Voila! First pass. On mine I spent a few hours scratching my head, until I pulled out the manual....volia! One pass.

Last edited by gliot1; Aug 10, 2007 at 03:45 PM.

Aug 10, 2007 | 05:11 PM

Z-man

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From: Foxfield CO 1970 Convertible

Actually, I can bleed mine in any order and get great results. I've got speed bleeders on all 4 calipers, so it's only a matter of a minute or so per wheel. Evidently, there is much controversy as to what the correct order is, and even what the manuals say. These guys say the Vette manual states front then back! I'll check my shop manual tonight just for kicks...

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...r+bleed+brakes