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Brake Bleed Question

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Old Mar 27, 2010 | 04:12 PM
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Default Brake Bleed Question

I am bleeding the brakes on my 1977 Corvette. Pedal seems to be low. No fluid leakage anywhere under the car and master cylinder is filled with brake fluid.
I started from the passeger rear and bled the inner bleeder first, then the outer bleeder.
Heres the problem. I am using a suction canister (not sure of the exact name) the inner bleeder had some air coming out at first but the air appears to have subsided.
The outer bleeder seems to have air coming out continuously. AND when I shut the bleeder valve, a few air bubble still seem to come from the center of the bleeder. At first I thought some air was leaking from around the hose, but it does not appear to be the case (the inner bleeder does not do this). Before I replace the bleeder, or what I was thinking was just get some speed bleeders and make everything easier.
My questions are:
Has anyone else ever experienced this?
Am I doing something wrong?
Does this indicate another problem?

Thanks in advance.

Last edited by Ooglie Googlie; Mar 27, 2010 at 04:30 PM.
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Old Mar 27, 2010 | 05:16 PM
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Get a pressure bleeder and save yourself a ton of aggravation! Motive units are very available, affordable, and get the job done very fast.
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Old Mar 27, 2010 | 05:22 PM
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I tried a vacuum bleeder one time and didn't have any luck with it. It was drawing air through the threads of the bleeder screw. No matter what I did, I couldn't get it to stop doing it. I ended up buying a pressure bleader and that worked great.
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Old Mar 27, 2010 | 05:24 PM
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Just ordered it.

Questions about the pressure bleeder:

Is there a chance of fluid leaking out from under the cap that covers the master cylinder? And what pressure do I pump it up to? And can speed bleeders be used with a pressure bleeder?

Last edited by Ooglie Googlie; Mar 27, 2010 at 05:28 PM.
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Old Mar 27, 2010 | 05:38 PM
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Originally Posted by Ooglie Googlie
Just ordered it.

Questions about the pressure bleeder:

Is there a chance of fluid leaking out from under the cap that covers the master cylinder?
Not if you seal it up tight. Depending on the "filler cap" you use, you can use whatever clamping you feel comfortable with. Some use chains, some c-clamps, etc.
And what pressure do I pump it up to?
I believe it's just a few pounds - but you should get a guide with it that will help.
And can speed bleeders be used with a pressure bleeder?
Sure, but you will use them like regular bleeders as there is no "pumping" - the pressure remains. Pump it up, open a bleeder until there is no more air, close the bleeder, pump it up, go to the next bleeder.
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Old Mar 27, 2010 | 05:54 PM
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Oh dont tell me that! Guess I will have to see what happens. The only thing I can think of that would cause that is a rough surface on the top of the MC.
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Old Jun 22, 2010 | 11:07 AM
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Default Update on brake situation.

Wanted to update everyone on the brake situation. Got the master cylinder installed, bled the brakes and had a good pedal. After driving the car for a few miles pedal went to floor again.

Now, did some research and I have checked the m/c by plugging the lines going out to the brakes. Actually only plugged rear opening from m/c because the other plug I purchased didnt fit. But the plug for the rear brake line did fit. So, with rear brake opening plugged AND front brake line attached the pedal was high and tight. Started the car just to see if the power booster was fooling me. Still high and tight.

So it appears that I have isolated the problem to the rear brakes. Tonight, I am going to check the rear disc runout. This is because when I was reading up on the problem, it appears that the pistons in the rear calipers can suck air if the discs are wobbling in the caliper.

Also, does anyone think that this might be an issue with the proportioning valve?

Thanks. I just want to resolve this issue once and for all.
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Old Jun 22, 2010 | 11:23 AM
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Originally Posted by Ooglie Googlie

Thanks. I just want to resolve this issue once and for all.
You'll have to sell the car to do that. (jk)
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Old Jun 22, 2010 | 11:23 AM
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Originally Posted by pws69
Get a pressure bleeder and save yourself a ton of aggravation! Motive units are very available, affordable, and get the job done very fast.

I have the Motive....make bleeding brakes almost fun ! And GREAT results too !
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Old Jun 22, 2010 | 11:26 AM
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Originally Posted by Ooglie Googlie
Wanted to update everyone on the brake situation. Got the master cylinder installed, bled the brakes and had a good pedal. After driving the car for a few miles pedal went to floor again.

Now, did some research and I have checked the m/c by plugging the lines going out to the brakes. Actually only plugged rear opening from m/c because the other plug I purchased didnt fit. But the plug for the rear brake line did fit. So, with rear brake opening plugged AND front brake line attached the pedal was high and tight. Started the car just to see if the power booster was fooling me. Still high and tight.

So it appears that I have isolated the problem to the rear brakes. Tonight, I am going to check the rear disc runout. This is because when I was reading up on the problem, it appears that the pistons in the rear calipers can suck air if the discs are wobbling in the caliper.

Also, does anyone think that this might be an issue with the proportioning valve?

Thanks. I just want to resolve this issue once and for all.
We call that "pumping air" and rotor runout WILL cause that...I had that problem myself and can testify that it's real ! LOL...
Keep at it....my C3 brakes kick butt now....took a while - but now they rock...(all stock)

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Old Jun 22, 2010 | 11:39 AM
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Originally Posted by Tom454
You'll have to sell the car to do that. (jk)
Yea I know!!
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Old Jun 22, 2010 | 11:41 AM
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Originally Posted by MrJlr
We call that "pumping air" and rotor runout WILL cause that...I had that problem myself and can testify that it's real ! LOL...
Keep at it....my C3 brakes kick butt now....took a while - but now they rock...(all stock)

Thats my idea. Im determined and doing the work is fun. The more I work on my car the better I get to know it.

Im going to check the runout tonight.
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Old Jun 22, 2010 | 12:45 PM
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well, i finally fixed mine once and for all... i replaced EVERYTHING but the hard lines... Willwood M/C, Hydro boost, 4 new calipers, SS lines... and 20 years of crappy brakes..... but they are now finally fixed!

Good luck....
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Old Jun 22, 2010 | 02:44 PM
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Originally Posted by Ooglie Googlie
Thats my idea. Im determined and doing the work is fun. The more I work on my car the better I get to know it.

Im going to check the runout tonight.
THAT is the perfect attitude....it IS fun...and ya learn....
You master your C3 brakes....and you can do ANY brakes..!
Keep us posted...you might learn something we don't know yet !
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Old Jun 22, 2010 | 05:26 PM
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Originally Posted by MrJlr
THAT is the perfect attitude....it IS fun...and ya learn....
You master your C3 brakes....and you can do ANY brakes..!
Keep us posted...you might learn something we don't know yet !
I'll keep you posted. Thanks for the compliment. It is fun to fix something on my car that I never had before. Its even better that its not my everyday car and I can fix it at my leisure.

When I was younger I drove older cars as my primary car. One car, a 1969 camaro, had a problem with the transmission. It was an m-20. For some reason it would get stuck in both 1st gear and reverse. Ive taken that tranny out and put it back in so many times that I could of did it in my sleep. But I needed the car to get to work the next day so I was forced to do it.

Actually I should of been an auto mechanic. I was when I was 20 years old. But when I put a torch to a exhaust pipe on an old nova that had a carb that was dumping fuel (didnt know this) plans changed.
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Old Jun 23, 2010 | 08:10 AM
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Maybe I did something wrong. But I measured only .006 of runout on the drivers side wheel. About the same on passenger side.

Am I doing something wrong?
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Old Jun 23, 2010 | 08:54 AM
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I think .006" is a little high.....get yerself some lug-stud shims (they look like little THIN washers) and try to shim the rotor until you can't get it any better - then try a little more (LOL !).

The only other idea I have is getting O-ring style calipers. The lip seal style (factory) tend to pump air MUCH more than the O-ring style...

Try shimming.....cheaper !

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Old Jun 27, 2010 | 03:17 PM
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Ok. Pulled the calipers off today to acess the rotors which I think are stuck. Left caliper seems to be weeping fluid around pistons. Rubber seal around piston is wet with fluid. Left caliper is dry.
Unfortunately, at this time I cannot afford to purchase new or rebuilt calipers. Would it be possible to rebuild them? Is it difficult?
Thanks!!
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