Pressure testing brake system
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 222
Likes: 4
From: Cameron Park California
Pressure testing brake system
I just installed new brake lines / calipers and would like to pressure test the system before putting the body on as I would like to take care of any issues while everything is easy to access. Of course without the body I don't have the master cylinder installed so I need another method of pressurizing the system.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,753
From: Charlotte NC
You will have a REALLY hard time making a fixture that will allow you to actually actuate the master cylinder.
Pressure bleeding the brake system is one thing...and the pressure values are really low (20 psi+/-)...which may not show a leak...but when the pressure increase when the master cylinder is actuated...it can go easily up to 800+psi.
I do this often...the one connection I an super aware of is the rear line that attaches to the left side junction block. I have made a special crowfoot flare wrench that fits on my extension and ratchet that allows me to get into this area and tighten the fitting if needed.
DUB
Pressure bleeding the brake system is one thing...and the pressure values are really low (20 psi+/-)...which may not show a leak...but when the pressure increase when the master cylinder is actuated...it can go easily up to 800+psi.
I do this often...the one connection I an super aware of is the rear line that attaches to the left side junction block. I have made a special crowfoot flare wrench that fits on my extension and ratchet that allows me to get into this area and tighten the fitting if needed.
DUB
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,160
Likes: 23
From: Prescott AZ
I wanted to do the same thing. Ended up using air pressure. I know it is not as high as the brakes would see but it worked pretty well. I installed a tee on the line with a gauge in one port and a schrader valve on the other. Then put the pressure as high as I could get, let it stand over night and made sure the pressure was close to what is was when I had aired it. Obviously allowing for a slight drop due to the air cooling.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 222
Likes: 4
From: Cameron Park California
I wanted to do the same thing. Ended up using air pressure. I know it is not as high as the brakes would see but it worked pretty well. I installed a tee on the line with a gauge in one port and a schrader valve on the other. Then put the pressure as high as I could get, let it stand over night and made sure the pressure was close to what is was when I had aired it. Obviously allowing for a slight drop due to the air cooling.
