Bleeding brakes...an update.
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Bleeding brakes...an update.
Not sure if Im supposed to carry on from last post or just post again so here is a link to my original post, http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=2011098
Basically have replaced a couple of brake lines and need to bleed through the system. I was going to try the gravity method as I have no one who can help me right now.
I filled the MC to the top, left the top off and cracked the bleed nipple furthest from the MC, passenger rear. Connected a rubbler hose to the nipple and waited...nothing. Sucked a little on the pipe and it began to drip, then stopped. After 3 hours, nothing has happened.
I have just found a small hand held vac pump. Can I use this to suck the fluid down the lines? I guess those speed bleeders would be ideal in this situation.
Basically have replaced a couple of brake lines and need to bleed through the system. I was going to try the gravity method as I have no one who can help me right now.
I filled the MC to the top, left the top off and cracked the bleed nipple furthest from the MC, passenger rear. Connected a rubbler hose to the nipple and waited...nothing. Sucked a little on the pipe and it began to drip, then stopped. After 3 hours, nothing has happened.
I have just found a small hand held vac pump. Can I use this to suck the fluid down the lines? I guess those speed bleeders would be ideal in this situation.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 6,399
Likes: 1,226
From: Tampa Florida
Not sure if Im supposed to carry on from last post or just post again so here is a link to my original post, http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=2011098
Basically have replaced a couple of brake lines and need to bleed through the system. I was going to try the gravity method as I have no one who can help me right now.
I filled the MC to the top, left the top off and cracked the bleed nipple furthest from the MC, passenger rear. Connected a rubbler hose to the nipple and waited...nothing. Sucked a little on the pipe and it began to drip, then stopped. After 3 hours, nothing has happened.
I have just found a small hand held vac pump. Can I use this to suck the fluid down the lines? I guess those speed bleeders would be ideal in this situation.
Basically have replaced a couple of brake lines and need to bleed through the system. I was going to try the gravity method as I have no one who can help me right now.
I filled the MC to the top, left the top off and cracked the bleed nipple furthest from the MC, passenger rear. Connected a rubbler hose to the nipple and waited...nothing. Sucked a little on the pipe and it began to drip, then stopped. After 3 hours, nothing has happened.
I have just found a small hand held vac pump. Can I use this to suck the fluid down the lines? I guess those speed bleeders would be ideal in this situation.
Dave
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 397
Likes: 0
From: Warren IL
Yes you can use a vacuum bleeder. Just make sure you have some fluid in the jar before you start. Normally when I gravity bleed I will leave all four bleeders open and close them as fluid starts to come out. The order doesn't need to be followed for gravity bleeding.
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Thanks guys...
Today I started using the vac pump on the furthest caliper. Just as fluid began to flow nicely, the pump failed so I was back to gravity!!
The furthest caliper took around 3 hours of gravity to finally stop spouting air bubbles. The drivers side too about 10 seconds!!! hope Ive done it correctly. Used about 1 1/4 quarts of fluid so far.
Adjusted the emergency brake and will bleed the front tomorrow. Hopefully should be out for a run this weekend.
Today I started using the vac pump on the furthest caliper. Just as fluid began to flow nicely, the pump failed so I was back to gravity!!
The furthest caliper took around 3 hours of gravity to finally stop spouting air bubbles. The drivers side too about 10 seconds!!! hope Ive done it correctly. Used about 1 1/4 quarts of fluid so far.
Adjusted the emergency brake and will bleed the front tomorrow. Hopefully should be out for a run this weekend.
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Why me????
Got my son to help with the bleeding again today. Decided to go for the 2 man way.
Finished bleeding the furthest rear, lots of air was still in there. Moved to the other rear and bled that down. Just as we were finishing this caliper, I heard a suck from the MC and it had run dry!!!
Bled it all through again from this caliper and am hoping I wont need to remove the MC and bench bleed it.
Moved to the front...more air in this circuit than the rear? wtf?
Not sure how we managed it but the MC sucked on this one as well! Bled till I was out of fluid, just small bubbles coming now.
Funnily enough, with one caliper still to bleed completely and this one with a little air in it, the pedal feels quite good!
Back on her again tomorrow. Keep all those pinkies crossed for me!
Got my son to help with the bleeding again today. Decided to go for the 2 man way.
Finished bleeding the furthest rear, lots of air was still in there. Moved to the other rear and bled that down. Just as we were finishing this caliper, I heard a suck from the MC and it had run dry!!!
Bled it all through again from this caliper and am hoping I wont need to remove the MC and bench bleed it.Moved to the front...more air in this circuit than the rear? wtf?
Not sure how we managed it but the MC sucked on this one as well! Bled till I was out of fluid, just small bubbles coming now.
Funnily enough, with one caliper still to bleed completely and this one with a little air in it, the pedal feels quite good!
Back on her again tomorrow. Keep all those pinkies crossed for me!
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 12,694
Likes: 329
From: Scottsdale Arizona
Sounds like you're making progress. Remember to do the inner bleeder first on the rears, then the outers. The manual says the order is driver's side first, but at least half the people that post an opinion here will say to do the passenger (farthest) side first. I doubt it makes any difference.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Tell me about it!
Anyway, bled out the system and it seems to be good!
Small air bubbles still coming out of front but only just before pedal reached the floor....
Bled through another 2 quarts and exactly the same so gave up. Put it all back together and pedal is firm! Drove around the block a few times and brakes are working well.
Thanks all.
Anyway, bled out the system and it seems to be good!
Small air bubbles still coming out of front but only just before pedal reached the floor....
Bled through another 2 quarts and exactly the same so gave up. Put it all back together and pedal is firm! Drove around the block a few times and brakes are working well.
Thanks all.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 19,347
Likes: 654
From: Tampa, Florida
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 396
Likes: 3
From: Buffalo New York
Sounds like you're making progress. Remember to do the inner bleeder first on the rears, then the outers. The manual says the order is driver's side first, but at least half the people that post an opinion here will say to do the passenger (farthest) side first. I doubt it makes any difference.
