C3 Brake problem
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
C3 Brake problem
Let me begin by saying that my entire brake system is four years new. Whitepost restoration rebuilt my master cyllinder.
A couple months ago my left rear caliper sprung a small leak...no big deal right? I bought a new one then proceeded to r & r the old one. Everything went smooth as everything is pretty new. Then we started to bleed the system...HUH?
NO PEDAL! Ok - we'll use the mighty vac. Well needless to say we pulled thru two quarts of DOT 5 ($$$) and still NO PEDAL.
Common sense told us the master cyllinder must be the problem...well we pulled it apart last night and everything looks great. Nice and clean, no rust just a little black residue. I'm thinking I may have a bad hose.
Now for my questions:
Has anyone had problems with DOT 5 breaking down seals in their braking system?
Other than master cyllinder failure what would make the pedal go to the floor?
Help! Frustrated in Jacksonville.
A couple months ago my left rear caliper sprung a small leak...no big deal right? I bought a new one then proceeded to r & r the old one. Everything went smooth as everything is pretty new. Then we started to bleed the system...HUH?
NO PEDAL! Ok - we'll use the mighty vac. Well needless to say we pulled thru two quarts of DOT 5 ($$$) and still NO PEDAL.
Common sense told us the master cyllinder must be the problem...well we pulled it apart last night and everything looks great. Nice and clean, no rust just a little black residue. I'm thinking I may have a bad hose.
Now for my questions:
Has anyone had problems with DOT 5 breaking down seals in their braking system?
Other than master cyllinder failure what would make the pedal go to the floor?
Help! Frustrated in Jacksonville.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 609
Likes: 0
From: Ontario
Let me begin by saying that my entire brake system is four years new. Whitepost restoration rebuilt my master cyllinder.
A couple months ago my left rear caliper sprung a small leak...no big deal right? I bought a new one then proceeded to r & r the old one. Everything went smooth as everything is pretty new. Then we started to bleed the system...HUH?
NO PEDAL! Ok - we'll use the mighty vac. Well needless to say we pulled thru two quarts of DOT 5 ($$$) and still NO PEDAL.
Common sense told us the master cyllinder must be the problem...well we pulled it apart last night and everything looks great. Nice and clean, no rust just a little black residue. I'm thinking I may have a bad hose.
Now for my questions:
Has anyone had problems with DOT 5 breaking down seals in their braking system?
Other than master cyllinder failure what would make the pedal go to the floor?
Help! Frustrated in Jacksonville.
A couple months ago my left rear caliper sprung a small leak...no big deal right? I bought a new one then proceeded to r & r the old one. Everything went smooth as everything is pretty new. Then we started to bleed the system...HUH?
NO PEDAL! Ok - we'll use the mighty vac. Well needless to say we pulled thru two quarts of DOT 5 ($$$) and still NO PEDAL.
Common sense told us the master cyllinder must be the problem...well we pulled it apart last night and everything looks great. Nice and clean, no rust just a little black residue. I'm thinking I may have a bad hose.
Now for my questions:
Has anyone had problems with DOT 5 breaking down seals in their braking system?
Other than master cyllinder failure what would make the pedal go to the floor?
Help! Frustrated in Jacksonville.
I replaced the whole system on my '69-new MC, new stainless lines, new rotors, rebuilt calipers-I filled the system with DOT5 and bled with a pressure bleeder. A couple of days later the MC was half empty!
But no leaks. I refilled the MC then it was OK.
Some guys recommend that you boil the DOT5 before you use it to remove the air. Not sure if that helps.
Dave
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,575
Likes: 1
From: Tuttle OK
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
if the master was ok when you started, it likely is still ok.
if you bought a rebuilt caliper, it could be the culprit. i went through 3 once. just enough leak to **** ya off.
i finally got a set from vbp...
also, bleeding made easy --->
if you bought a rebuilt caliper, it could be the culprit. i went through 3 once. just enough leak to **** ya off.
i finally got a set from vbp...
also, bleeding made easy --->
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,589
Likes: 5
From: Salisbury Maryland
It sounds like the "black residue" in your system could be the problem. It may be the flex lines failing from the inside where you can't see it. You may also have problems at the other calipers, particularly the other rear. I had a similar problem. Replaced MC, flex lines and all four cailipers, bled with Mity Vac = problem gone. We had to bleed each bleeder several times after letting it sit and drain all the old fluid out. Don't forget to drain out ALL the old fluid.
If that still doesn't fix it, then you more than likely have a leak somewhere. Either sucking air in, or letting fluid out. The caliper seals can fail on these C3's just from sitting. In fact, I'll get in and pump the brakes a few times every couple of days through the winter just to prevent the seals from forming memory.
Good Luck!
If that still doesn't fix it, then you more than likely have a leak somewhere. Either sucking air in, or letting fluid out. The caliper seals can fail on these C3's just from sitting. In fact, I'll get in and pump the brakes a few times every couple of days through the winter just to prevent the seals from forming memory.
Good Luck!
