Gravity Bleeding new system trouble
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 175
Likes: 9
From: Plainfield IN
Gravity Bleeding new system trouble
I just installed a complete new/rebuilt brake system on my '72. New lines, hoses, distribution switch, distribution blocks and I rebuilt the calipers, and rebuilt the master cylinder and bench bled. Gravity bled the front lines with no problem. Attempted to gravity bleed the rear but can't get fluid out the bleeder valves. Fluid drips out both line ports from the M/C so it appears it was bled properly. If I attempt the "pedal bleed" method, is it likely I will cause the distribution switch to activate and give my more grief?
Any suggetions?
Thanks for your help
Any suggetions?
Thanks for your help
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
Likes: 201
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
It's a long way to go and it goes up and over the frame too, I had to use a hand vacuum pump, couple of pumps to get it started was all it needed 
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
One thing you can try to get the flow going is to go to the LR caliper and open the bleeder,push in one brake pad compressing 2 pistons on 1 side,close the bleeder,release the brake pad , if you have stock calipers with springs behind the pstons the pistons will return pulling a small amount of fluid with them. Sometimes this is enough to start the gravity bleed.
If you do the pedal method push very slow and only go 1/2 stroke just to get the gravity bleed started.
If you do the pedal method push very slow and only go 1/2 stroke just to get the gravity bleed started.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 175
Likes: 9
From: Plainfield IN
Gravity bleeding new system trouble
I went to Auto Zone today and borrowed a hand vacuum pump. A little teflon tape around the bleeder valve to keep it from sucking air around the threads and a few pumps later I had brake fluid to the rear calipers. I was so excited, you would have thought I won the lotto.
Thanks for taking the time to read my post and responding.
Thanks for taking the time to read my post and responding.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 306
Likes: 0
From: Riverside CA
do you have an air compressor?
get a spare master cylinder top, drill and tap a hole to screw in an air fitting.
I did this to my old top and got a new chrome cover.
set the air to about 5 to 8 psi and connect it to the new master cylinder lid.
then open each caliper and watch the fluid flow.
this is what i did on the corvette and it worked great!
get a spare master cylinder top, drill and tap a hole to screw in an air fitting.
I did this to my old top and got a new chrome cover.
set the air to about 5 to 8 psi and connect it to the new master cylinder lid.
then open each caliper and watch the fluid flow.
this is what i did on the corvette and it worked great!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 1
From: Europe, France
As he said, it's a long way to go, very long horizontal pipes, so much slower than front calipers
You can try to remove the bleeder screws totally, it can help if you're using the gravity method, but it'll still be long...
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Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
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From: Dayton, Ohio
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
They were doing 7-10 per hour. Most of us only do one a year.
Yes. Chassis Line - note master cylinder is already plumbed.
Note tanks in the background stenciled "Brake Fluid"
...So how did that work,was the master cyl with the chassis and the booster was on the body?...
Note tanks in the background stenciled "Brake Fluid"
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
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From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
I can just see GM paying a couple of assembly line workers to gravity bleed the brakes, bad enough in dealership but a least they charge for it
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 1
From: Europe, France
I like seeing them too, I wonder if there are any pics of the genius engineer that decided to put the booster nuts on the inside of the firewall
I can just see GM paying a couple of assembly line workers to gravity bleed the brakes, bad enough in dealership but a least they charge for it
I can just see GM paying a couple of assembly line workers to gravity bleed the brakes, bad enough in dealership but a least they charge for it