Brake question
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Brake question
I have a 74 convertible with brake issues. The pedal went to the floor and the brake light is always on. I bled the brakes twice and the pedal is still spongy, but stops better. The car now pulls to the left when stopping. It seems the only wheel that has brakes is the left front. When bleeding the brakes, I noticed a lot of air in the lines, but cannot find a leak. The air just kept comming when bleeding. Where is all this air comming from if the lines have no leak? If there is a leak why do I never find brake fluid on the garage floor? What would be my next step? What can I do to narrow down my search without replacing everything? HELP......
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Air can come in at the pistons in each caliper without fluid leaking out.If you have let the master cylinder go dry and it is old replace it with a rebuilt.Make sure you bench bleed it very very good until you see NO air coming from the little holes inside each reservoir.When you put it back on gravity bleed system tapping on all lines and fittings and calipers to help stubborn bubbles work their way out.In this order LF,RF,LR,RR be patient you probably have foamed the fluid.Bleed and wait for 15 min between bleeding again.After you do this you can determine what else you have to replace.If your rotor runout is over .005 you might have to correct that if your calipers are old and prone to sucking air.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,407
Likes: 2
From: Carmichael CA
Air almost always enters in the caliper. Air molecules are much smaller than brake fluid molecules so there is usually air leaking into the system way before there's fluid leaking out.
If you are bleeding a caliper and you keep seeing air then it's probably the caliper leaking...replacing it with a rebuilt unit should fix it. If you want to double check then attach the bleeder line to the brake line and bypass the caliper and see if you still get air there.
If you are bleeding a caliper and you keep seeing air then it's probably the caliper leaking...replacing it with a rebuilt unit should fix it. If you want to double check then attach the bleeder line to the brake line and bypass the caliper and see if you still get air there.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Originally Posted by Avette4me
get one - you'll never regret it...
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Brakes better, but still air. I'm going to replace the rear rotors and calipers, probably new brake lines too. It might be overkill, but she's my baby and she deserves it. The suggestion about bypassing the calipers was right on. THANKS
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