Bench Bleeding Master Cylinder
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville FL
Bench Bleeding Master Cylinder
I have no experience with brake master cylinder replacement so I was wondering if someone could guide me. Can the MC be bled without bleeder hoses? I thought I heard someone saying you can just put bleeder caps in the two holes and pump the rod until bubbles stop rising. Is this true? If not...where do I get bleeder hoses??
Thanks,
Ted
Thanks,
Ted
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 1,824
Likes: 55
From: Shawano WI
Re: Bench Bleeding Master Cylinder (love to drive)
I have never seen a reason to bench bleed a master cylinder. The only reason to do that is so you don't have to bleed the rest if the car. Not a very good idea, especially on a Corvette as sensative as they are to air in the calipers. If you are putting on a new master cylinder take the time to bleed all the brakes.
[Modified by Pete79L82, 2:39 PM 3/1/2002]
[Modified by Pete79L82, 2:39 PM 3/1/2002]
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 19,659
Likes: 34
From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Re: Bench Bleeding Master Cylinder (love to drive)
You can go to AutoZone, PepBoys or NAPA and they will have them if you tell them what you are doing.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,711
Likes: 43
From: San Antonio TX
Re: Bench Bleeding Master Cylinder (Pete79L82)
If you don't properly bleed the master cylinder, you will forever be chasing a spongy brake pedal that no amount of caliper bleeding will make go away. It is not possible to bleed the master cylinder by bleeding the calipers. Get the bleeding kit from your local autoparts story or from Harbor Freight (their kit has a variety of adapters that make it possible to bleed just about any cylinder you'll come across).
Failure to bleed or improper master cylinder bleeding is the cause of most Corvette owners brake woes. The tools to do it right are cheap and the technique is too simple to find alternatives.
Failure to bleed or improper master cylinder bleeding is the cause of most Corvette owners brake woes. The tools to do it right are cheap and the technique is too simple to find alternatives.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 18,126
Likes: 174
From: WI
Re: Bench Bleeding Master Cylinder (love to drive)
The new (rebuilt) master that i put on my racer last year came with plastic plugs and instructions to pump the piston slowly until the air bubbles inside stopped.
...redvetracr
...redvetracr
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville FL
Re: Bench Bleeding Master Cylinder (redvetracr)
Ahhh yes...this is what I've heard of doing. I'm getting all new calipers, hoses, lines, and MC in the mail and I wanted to be ready for the massive amount of air that will be in the system. I don't want to spend my whole day bleeding :)
Thanks,
Ted
Thanks,
Ted
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 1,188
Likes: 1
From: Saskatoon Saskatchewan Canada
Re: Bench Bleeding Master Cylinder (love to drive)
The way we use to bench bleed the master cyl after installing a rebuild kit is with two used brake lines screwed into the outlet holes on the master cylinder they were bent (formed) so they were redirected and submerged into the fliud in the master cylinder resovoir this allows air out but not back in as the ends are submerged in the fluid. This is very effective. Then when you installed the lines back into the cylinder all you had to do is bleed the calipers. I always kept old brake lines to make this tool. :)
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville FL
Re: Bench Bleeding Master Cylinder (paso)
I don't have any old brake lines so I may just pick up a bleeding set from Discount Auto. I'm gonna wait and see what the instructions say when the MC comes in.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,829
Likes: 14
From: Southeast La
Re: Bench Bleeding Master Cylinder (gerry72)
If you don't properly bleed the master cylinder, you will forever be chasing a spongy brake pedal that no amount of caliper bleeding will make go away. It is not possible to bleed the master cylinder by bleeding the calipers. Get the bleeding kit from your local autoparts story or from Harbor Freight (their kit has a variety of adapters that make it possible to bleed just about any cylinder you'll come across).
Failure to bleed or improper master cylinder bleeding is the cause of most Corvette owners brake woes. The tools to do it right are cheap and the technique is too simple to find alternatives.
Failure to bleed or improper master cylinder bleeding is the cause of most Corvette owners brake woes. The tools to do it right are cheap and the technique is too simple to find alternatives.
If you are replacing just the MC, while it's nice to bench bleed it, it's not totally necessary. You will always have some kind of residual air in the chamber if you do pre-bleed it. You will find yourself bleeding enough fluid to get the pedal you want anyway. My .02
Racer
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 382
Likes: 0
From: Long Beach CA
Re: Bench Bleeding Master Cylinder (topless68)
I got a MC bleeding kit from pep boys... I don't think it even cost $3, and consisted of some flimsy tubing and a few plastic nipples. Worked like a champ tho.
It is so cheap and so easy. When you have the MC and kit in front of you it will all make sense.
Jim
It is so cheap and so easy. When you have the MC and kit in front of you it will all make sense.
Jim
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 852
Likes: 0
From: Katy TX
Re: Bench Bleeding Master Cylinder (love to drive)
Last master cylinder I got had plugs and the procedure did not require hoses. Seemed to work as well as when I used the hoses in the past. Regardless, if you buy a new or rebuilt unit it should have the instructions and plugs or hoses necessary to do the job.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 543
Likes: 0
From: nyc ny
Re: Bench Bleeding Master Cylinder (love to drive)
Yes always bench bleed a new master before you place it on the vehicle, the plastic hoses that come with the master or buy the kit from local auto parts store is always the way to go. Do it Once Do it Right! :cheers: :smash: :cool: :flag
