No brake pedal
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
No brake pedal
OK I have tried everything I know to fix the brakes on my 81 Vette, replaced the 2 front calipers, master cylinder and bleed the system about a dozen times and still no pedal. When I bleed the brakes I do not get any air from any of the calipers, still no pedal. I do notice that when I bleed the back brakes the pedal only goes about half way down when I open a bleeder. The front brakes go to the floor when I open a bleeder. On a very short test drive it doesn't matter how many times I pump the brakes they will not stop and the pedal is spongy, Help I just want it to STOP!
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 18,729
Likes: 2,579
when you bleed the brakes do you start with the right rear, both bleed screws, left rear, both bleed screws, right front and then left front? Do you tap the calipers to dislodge any air pockets? Did you bench bleed the master? Has the proportioning valve been tripped, is the brake light on?
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Not to state the obvious, but do not drive the car until you've gone back through the brake system.
This is your first post. Do you have any previous experience with the C3 brake system?
This is your first post. Do you have any previous experience with the C3 brake system?
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
I did bench bleed the master cylinder, actually did it twice.
I have not replaced the rubber lines, I did read in one of the forums that they can collapse? Can you tell just by feeling the hose to know if they are bad? Also if they are bad it seems like you wouldn't get any fluid out when bleeding
I have not replaced the rubber lines, I did read in one of the forums that they can collapse? Can you tell just by feeling the hose to know if they are bad? Also if they are bad it seems like you wouldn't get any fluid out when bleeding
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
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Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
when you bleed the brakes do you start with the right rear, both bleed screws, left rear, both bleed screws, right front and then left front? Do you tap the calipers to dislodge any air pockets? Did you bench bleed the master? Has the proportioning valve been tripped, is the brake light on?
Pro
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 523
Likes: 4
From: Calgary Alberta
Our cars have brakes that are difficult to bleed, especially once air has entered into the system.
I replaced all four calipers and the master cylinder with Wilwood calipers and a Wilwood MC.
When I went to bleed the brake system I could not get it to work.
I tried gravity bleeding, bled the MC, and two person bleeding and nothing would work.
I finally purchase this system.
http://www.speedibleed.com/
Spent about half an hour with the system and my brakes were hard as a rock and no spongy pedal.
I have heard the Motive brake bleeder also works but the Speedibleed system was available here in Canada and ended up being cheaper for me to purchase and get shipped.
Give one of these systems a try and it should work for you.
I replaced all four calipers and the master cylinder with Wilwood calipers and a Wilwood MC.
When I went to bleed the brake system I could not get it to work.
I tried gravity bleeding, bled the MC, and two person bleeding and nothing would work.
I finally purchase this system.
http://www.speedibleed.com/
Spent about half an hour with the system and my brakes were hard as a rock and no spongy pedal.
I have heard the Motive brake bleeder also works but the Speedibleed system was available here in Canada and ended up being cheaper for me to purchase and get shipped.
Give one of these systems a try and it should work for you.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,018
Likes: 9
From: Winston Ga.
I just ordered the motive system this week. I am going to replace my hoses and do a complete fluid replace this weekend hopefully.
Then to keep things simple I am going to replace the pads after all that is done. that way I dont introduce too many variables at once in case I have an issue.
Then to keep things simple I am going to replace the pads after all that is done. that way I dont introduce too many variables at once in case I have an issue.