Brake Bleeding (speed bleeders)
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,620
Likes: 7
From: Orlando Florida
Brake Bleeding (speed bleeders)
Hello,
I replaced all of the brake components on my 75 during the past week. Master Cylinder (manual no power booster) Rotors, Pads, Stock Calipers, Hard Lines, Proportioning Valve, everything that came on the car stock. The issue I've been having is I still can't get the pedal feel back to where is was when I started. I've been using a mighty vac to bleed the brakes, but still no go. The brakes are working, but the pedal goes to the floor. I did a search and found a lot of folks have run into similar issues. Has anyone tried the Russell Speed Bleeders? What about a Motive Pressure Tool vs. what I have now? Any advise would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Joe
I replaced all of the brake components on my 75 during the past week. Master Cylinder (manual no power booster) Rotors, Pads, Stock Calipers, Hard Lines, Proportioning Valve, everything that came on the car stock. The issue I've been having is I still can't get the pedal feel back to where is was when I started. I've been using a mighty vac to bleed the brakes, but still no go. The brakes are working, but the pedal goes to the floor. I did a search and found a lot of folks have run into similar issues. Has anyone tried the Russell Speed Bleeders? What about a Motive Pressure Tool vs. what I have now? Any advise would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Joe
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
I have tried just about all of the tools for this. The motive is about the best. That being said thier plastic plate is terrible. I know use my own system and have probably 20 plus complete brake jobs with my own. I have a steel plate with a pliable rubber pad. I drilled and tapped an air fitting in this. I fill the master up with fluid and C clamp the late and gasket down. Hook it up to about 15 to 20 pounds of air pressure. I can open the bleeder for about 15 to 20 seconds and still have a decent amount of fluid In the cylinder. It takes about 2 total fills to completely bleed a dry system. I can do the total bleed process by myself in about 15 minutes. It has always provided a rock hard pedal.
All those vacuum pumps and plastic bleeding tools to me are a waste of money. The Motive system is very good if the plastic plate was a better design. The Chain clamps are worthless. My .02
All those vacuum pumps and plastic bleeding tools to me are a waste of money. The Motive system is very good if the plastic plate was a better design. The Chain clamps are worthless. My .02
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,879
Likes: 38
From: Los Gatos CA
I have done brake jobs on dozens of cars. Generally it is pretty darn easy; brakes are simple. I have done brake jobs on 3 C3's. Pain in the butt. I consider a brake system that is not simple to bleed a bad design. The only way I could get a hard pedal was using the Motive Bleeder. Remember to bench bleed your master cylinder. I hook up the Motive, pressurize it to 10 psi, and go around twice. Viola - a hard pedal. Easy money...
This is my experience.
This is my experience.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,620
Likes: 7
From: Orlando Florida
Thanks for the reply's so far. This is Freakin crazy! I ordered the speed bleeders from Summit tonight. Going to give those a try. I also may go ahead and get the motive pressure tank. I can't believe they don't offer a better master cylinder cover. What if I just installed a later model calipers. I hate to just keep throwing money at this thing. I need to be a 100% sure she's going to stop at the end of the quarter mile. I'm not to keen on the aftermarket stuff. The C3 brakes have always worked well with no issues. That what I get for replacing these 40 year old parts. Just frustrated at the moment
Any other techniques out there for bleeding this system?
Any other techniques out there for bleeding this system?
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,368
Likes: 9
From: Colorado
I replaced my MC and used speed bleeders to great effect. Pedal was hard. Years later, I just replaced my MC again and can't achieve a hard pedal. I have a motiv but only the usual adaptor plate which is worthless in my hands anyway. Speed bleeders are ok but I think you need to see what's going on so you are back to two people. I do have a lower vacuum from engine due to a new cam so I wonder if that's part of my issue. Like I said , speed bleeders can work well but I think it helps to watch what's going on, otherwise you are just guessing if you pumped enough
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,620
Likes: 7
From: Orlando Florida
I have done brake jobs on dozens of cars. Generally it is pretty darn easy; brakes are simple. I have done brake jobs on 3 C3's. Pain in the butt. I consider a brake system that is not simple to bleed a bad design. The only way I could get a hard pedal was using the Motive Bleeder. Remember to bench bleed your master cylinder. I hook up the Motive, pressurize it to 10 psi, and go around twice. Viola - a hard pedal. Easy money...
This is my experience.
This is my experience.
There are two listed on summits website....
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,620
Likes: 7
From: Orlando Florida
I replaced my MC and used speed bleeders to great effect. Pedal was hard. Years later, I just replaced my MC again and can't achieve a hard pedal. I have a motiv but only the usual adaptor plate which is worthless in my hands anyway. Speed bleeders are ok but I think you need to see what's going on so you are back to two people. I do have a lower vacuum from engine due to a new cam so I wonder if that's part of my issue. Like I said , speed bleeders can work well but I think it helps to watch what's going on, otherwise you are just guessing if you pumped enough
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,620
Likes: 7
From: Orlando Florida
I have tried just about all of the tools for this. The motive is about the best. That being said thier plastic plate is terrible. I know use my own system and have probably 20 plus complete brake jobs with my own. I have a steel plate with a pliable rubber pad. I drilled and tapped an air fitting in this. I fill the master up with fluid and C clamp the late and gasket down. Hook it up to about 15 to 20 pounds of air pressure. I can open the bleeder for about 15 to 20 seconds and still have a decent amount of fluid In the cylinder. It takes about 2 total fills to completely bleed a dry system. I can do the total bleed process by myself in about 15 minutes. It has always provided a rock hard pedal.
All those vacuum pumps and plastic bleeding tools to me are a waste of money. The Motive system is very good if the plastic plate was a better design. The Chain clamps are worthless. My .02
All those vacuum pumps and plastic bleeding tools to me are a waste of money. The Motive system is very good if the plastic plate was a better design. The Chain clamps are worthless. My .02
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,002
Likes: 17
From: Inlet Beach, FL
Last time I had to bleed brakes I used the speed bleeders and they worked well, or so I thought. Unfortunately, my brakes are acting up again so I bought on of these off Amazon:
I haven't tried it so I can't throw my 2 cents in on if it works or how well it works yet.
I haven't tried it so I can't throw my 2 cents in on if it works or how well it works yet.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,620
Likes: 7
From: Orlando Florida
Last time I had to bleed brakes I used the speed bleeders and they worked well, or so I thought. Unfortunately, my brakes are acting up again so I bought on of these off Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/BikeMaster-Lit...leeder+WH-507M
I haven't tried it so I can't throw my 2 cents in on if it works or how well it works yet.
http://www.amazon.com/BikeMaster-Lit...leeder+WH-507M
I haven't tried it so I can't throw my 2 cents in on if it works or how well it works yet.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,240
Likes: 294
From: ESCONDIDO CA
2025 C2 of the Year ('63 and '67) Finalist - Unmodified
C2 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Original question...Russell Speed Bleeders...they have worked great for me. And you did bench bleed your master?
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,970
Likes: 45
From: Cameron Park CA
Last time I had to bleed brakes I used the speed bleeders and they worked well, or so I thought. Unfortunately, my brakes are acting up again so I bought on of these off Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/BikeMaster-Lit...leeder+WH-507M
I haven't tried it so I can't throw my 2 cents in on if it works or how well it works yet.
http://www.amazon.com/BikeMaster-Lit...leeder+WH-507M
I haven't tried it so I can't throw my 2 cents in on if it works or how well it works yet.
Pete
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,096
Likes: 15
Man have I ever been through the troublesome of bleeding my brakes. Ended up replacing everything and used my Motive setup with the aluminum plat and a C-clamp and still could not get a hard pedal. Ended up having the wife pump the pedal which I finally got a hard pedal but now it's extremely touchy??? Good luck.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,002
Likes: 17
From: Inlet Beach, FL
I have the same tool! I bought it from Harbor Freight for about the same price. I haven't used it yet, but friends who have used one said it works well. It seems less messy than a power bleeder to me. I'll report back in a couple of weeks when I bleed my brakes after a caliper replacement.
Pete
Pete
Maybe I'll see you around town one of these days.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,879
Likes: 38
From: Los Gatos CA
When I bought mine, you could order the bleeder and any master cylinder adapters you wanted. Things have changed and prices are up. Something like this should work:
Be sure and get the adapter tight on the master cylinder. Check for leaks as you pressurize the bleeder.
Be sure and get the adapter tight on the master cylinder. Check for leaks as you pressurize the bleeder.
