77' Brakes Failed while driving!
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Crofton MD
77' Brakes Failed while driving!
Good morning yall! So while driving I had my front right brake caliper's retaining pin snap the retaining pin, and brake pad moved up and out of the caliper allowing the pistons to fully come out of the caliper.
Brake fluid spewed everywhere, and I was able to roll to a stop safely.... whew.
I have since bought two new front calipers with brake pads and replaced them. I bled the front brakes with the car off, and got a nice hard pedal. As I turned the car on, the brakes then go to the floor with minimal stopping power. Turn the car off, pump the brakes I get a hard pedal back... sorta.
Any thoughts? Or do I just need to re-bleed my brakes?
Do I need to bleed the rear brakes as well? (I don't think I need to because of the dual chambers feeding from the MC)....?
Thanks you guys
Brake fluid spewed everywhere, and I was able to roll to a stop safely.... whew.
I have since bought two new front calipers with brake pads and replaced them. I bled the front brakes with the car off, and got a nice hard pedal. As I turned the car on, the brakes then go to the floor with minimal stopping power. Turn the car off, pump the brakes I get a hard pedal back... sorta.
Any thoughts? Or do I just need to re-bleed my brakes?
Do I need to bleed the rear brakes as well? (I don't think I need to because of the dual chambers feeding from the MC)....?
Thanks you guys
Last edited by StangRay; Mar 24, 2014 at 11:03 AM. Reason: More information
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,503
Likes: 33
From: McGrady NC
St. Jude Donor '15-'16
You apparently picked up a lot of air in the front brake circuit. Bleed it. You may need to bleed the master cylinder since you seemed to have drained the front brake system with the issues you described. I'd try to bleed the calipers well first.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Crofton MD
When I do bleed the brakes, should I do it with the Master Cylinder cover on or off, or does it matter? With it off, fluid jumps up and out, so I just put a clean rag over the top of it to watch the fluid levels as I'm bleeding the hoses....
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Crofton MD
I know to bleed fatherest away from the MC, so order would be right rear, left rear, right front, left front. I do remember there being two bleeders in the back, but I haven't ever bled them.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,520
Likes: 11
From: Hinckley OH
No need to bleed the rears because they are two separate systems. It's a safety feature so you don't lose all braking.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,520
Likes: 11
From: Hinckley OH
You probably still have air in the system. My neighbor had a problem bleeding his brakes one time and he asked me to come over to help after he spent all day bleeding and couldn't get a firm pedal. When I got there I took one look and he had the calipers on the wrong sides of the car. They will bolt in that way but it puts the bleeder screws on the bottom and the air is at the top. Make sure the bleeder screws are at the top.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
I would agree with all of it.
Make sure the calipers are on the right side. Like said bleeder always goes on the high side.
MC could have torn seals from the pedal going full travel.
Bleed them and bleed them.
Something that has worked well on my truck is to bleed them, drive it. Even if it's to the end on the driveway and back a couple times. (not a long driveway 40'/50' something like that.)
That will push air down to the caliper, bleed again.
Make sure the calipers are on the right side. Like said bleeder always goes on the high side.
MC could have torn seals from the pedal going full travel.
Bleed them and bleed them.
Something that has worked well on my truck is to bleed them, drive it. Even if it's to the end on the driveway and back a couple times. (not a long driveway 40'/50' something like that.)
That will push air down to the caliper, bleed again.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Crofton MD
Alright guys! Thank you for the tips, I will bleed them again when it stops snowing here, hopefully for the last time this winter!
How would I check the seals of the MC piston? Or visually know that the seals are shot?
How would I check the seals of the MC piston? Or visually know that the seals are shot?
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,305
Likes: 2
From: Lewisburg WV
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Crofton MD
I did not... It wasn't the retaining pin that snapped it was the flimsy cotter pin. The drivers side one was intact but super small gauge. The replacements were heavy duty pins.
So once the cotter pin wiggled free or snapped the retaining shaft/pin slid free...
So once the cotter pin wiggled free or snapped the retaining shaft/pin slid free...
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 18,695
Likes: 2,572
Master Cylinder
Cover all painted surfaces near the master. With the cover off step on the brake pedal and you should see two small spouts of brake fluid, front and rear of master.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 6,930
Likes: 843
From: melbourne florida
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
put a rag under the master loosen the front line on the master and give the pedal a small push , that will clear the air out. take the top off the master and open both front bleeders leave them open till they run clear and your done. this bleeding far to close stuff really isn't necessary.