C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Brake bleeding

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 25, 2015 | 11:46 AM
  #1  
oledave60's Avatar
oledave60
Thread Starter
Pro
 
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 517
Likes: 20
From: Scroggins Tx
Default Brake bleeding

Having a terrible time trying to get my 75 brakes bled. Read where I should be using this tool. Anyone here have any experience with this and is it necessary?

Reply
Old Feb 25, 2015 | 11:51 AM
  #2  
bashcraft's Avatar
bashcraft
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Active Streak: 60 Days
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,506
Likes: 139
From: Butler Pa
Default

What is that?

I have always gravity bled mine and never had a problem.
Reply
Old Feb 25, 2015 | 12:09 PM
  #3  
oledave60's Avatar
oledave60
Thread Starter
Pro
 
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 517
Likes: 20
From: Scroggins Tx
Default

You remove the brake warning switch in the proportioning valve and screw this gizmo in. It keeps the valve centered while bleeding or so they say. Haven't tried it yet, but right now I can get nothing from the rear calipers.
Reply
Old Feb 25, 2015 | 12:25 PM
  #4  
Jud Chapin's Avatar
Jud Chapin
Race Director
Supporting Lifetime
20 Year Member
St. Jude 15 Year Donor
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 10,560
Likes: 439
From: Wellington, FL
St. Jude Donor '11 thru '25
Default

Originally Posted by bashcraft
What is that?

I have always gravity bled mine and never had a problem.
Reply
Old Feb 25, 2015 | 12:48 PM
  #5  
Rebelrob's Avatar
Rebelrob
Drifting
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,534
Likes: 14
From: Dallas-Fort Worth TX
Default

I just did this on Sunday, I borrowed a Motive Brake Pressure Bleeder from a CF member. Never used it before. I do not enjoy working on brakes, esp bleeding. I hooked it all up. I did a fluid flush and bleed. It was pretty simple, besides the small mess I made. Pumped up the canister and cracked the bleed screws at each wheel and B fluid just poured out, along with any air bubbles and trash.
Pedal seems hard now, but no test drive just yet due to the rain, ice and now snow in 4 days. I was also concerned about the dist valve, but I got a solid fluid flow from all bleed screws including the 2 on each rear caliper. I recommend pressure bleeding.
Reply
Old Feb 25, 2015 | 12:48 PM
  #6  
doorgunner's Avatar
doorgunner
2026 Loser of the Year
Supporting Member
10 Year Member
Veteran: Army
Photogenic
Photoriffic
 
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 36,595
Likes: 7,043
From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
Default

Originally Posted by oledave60
You remove the brake warning switch in the proportioning valve and screw this gizmo in. It keeps the valve centered while bleeding or so they say. Haven't tried it yet, but right now I can get nothing from the rear calipers.
Just make sure the valve(dual piston) is centered over the hole that the warning switch came out of......the piston in mine was jammed-stuck in one end of the bore causing me to have front brakes only....I had to disassemble the internal parts/clean the gunk/re-install the piston in the centered position.....then I was able to bleed the brakes.


If the warning switch and dash warning light are working correctly, it will lite up when the piston moves off-center because of a brake fluid flow problem causing the piston to be forced to one end or the other in the metal body.

Last edited by doorgunner; Feb 25, 2015 at 12:54 PM.
Reply
Old Feb 25, 2015 | 01:50 PM
  #7  
oledave60's Avatar
oledave60
Thread Starter
Pro
 
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 517
Likes: 20
From: Scroggins Tx
Default

I first tried gravity and only got a very weak and slow drip and could not get any pedal. Then tried with the pedal and had good pressure out the front, but little to none in the rear. Still no pedal, so I am going with plan 3. New proportioning valve and a new Motive pressure bleeder. Every other thing with no exception in the brake system is new.

Still would like to hear from anybody that has used the centering tool and what they thought of it. Thanks, Dave

Last edited by oledave60; Feb 25, 2015 at 01:53 PM.
Reply
Old Feb 25, 2015 | 02:33 PM
  #8  
Snoopysvet's Avatar
Snoopysvet
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 8,940
Likes: 35
From: El Cajon California
Default

Bleed the brakes in the following fashion...


Left rear inner
Left rear outer
Right rear inner
Right rear outer
Left front
Right front


I just used a hose and my daughter to press the pedal down, nothing fancy

Last edited by Snoopysvet; Feb 25, 2015 at 02:39 PM.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Feb 25, 2015 | 09:38 PM
  #9  
Jeff_Keryk's Avatar
Jeff_Keryk
Drifting
20 Year Member
Liked
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,879
Likes: 38
From: Los Gatos CA
Default

Motive Bleeder is the only thing that worked for me. Easy peasey.
Good luck.
Reply
Old Feb 25, 2015 | 10:18 PM
  #10  
Street Rat's Avatar
Street Rat
Le Mans Master
Supporting Lifetime
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 5,339
Likes: 546
From: Central Texas
Default

Quote:
Still would like to hear from anybody that has used the centering tool and what they thought of it. Thanks, Dave

Dave I have used the tool. I kept having a problem with the brake warning light coming on not long after I bled the brakes. I figured the pressure on one side of the prop valve was not equal to the other. I put the tool in the prop valve and bled the brakes. The light has stayed off ever since. I wouldn't say that YOU need the tool unless you are having a problem with the valve centering after bleeding.

Bottom line = worth the $7 or $8 bucks that I spent for it.
Reply
Old Feb 25, 2015 | 11:49 PM
  #11  
LRB's Avatar
LRB
Instructor
 
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 215
Likes: 12
From: Conyers Georgia
Default

Originally Posted by Rebelrob
I just did this on Sunday, I borrowed a Motive Brake Pressure Bleeder from a CF member. Never used it before. I do not enjoy working on brakes, esp bleeding. I hooked it all up. I did a fluid flush and bleed. It was pretty simple, besides the small mess I made. Pumped up the canister and cracked the bleed screws at each wheel and B fluid just poured out, along with any air bubbles and trash.
Pedal seems hard now, but no test drive just yet due to the rain, ice and now snow in 4 days. I was also concerned about the dist valve, but I got a solid fluid flow from all bleed screws including the 2 on each rear caliper. I recommend pressure bleeding.

Motive Pressure Bleeder worked for me also.
Reply
Old Feb 26, 2015 | 05:48 AM
  #12  
Danish Shark's Avatar
Danish Shark
Burning Brakes
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 878
Likes: 55
From: Deep South Denmark
Default

Did you replace the rubber hoses? They will collapse over time.
Reply
Old Feb 26, 2015 | 10:06 AM
  #13  
7t9l82's Avatar
7t9l82
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
Photogenic
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 6,936
Likes: 848
From: melbourne florida
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Default

generally if it won't gravity bleed its a hose problem. i use the T shirt method. put an old tee shirt under each caliper crack the bleeders and let it flow, shut off each one as it runs clear.do the inner rears first then the outers.
Reply
Old Feb 26, 2015 | 10:23 AM
  #14  
bashcraft's Avatar
bashcraft
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Active Streak: 60 Days
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,506
Likes: 139
From: Butler Pa
Default

Originally Posted by 7t9l82
generally if it won't gravity bleed its a hose problem. i use the T shirt method. put an old tee shirt under each caliper crack the bleeders and let it flow, shut off each one as it runs clear.do the inner rears first then the outers.
What if I don't have an old t-shirt?
Reply
Old Feb 26, 2015 | 10:54 AM
  #15  
7t9l82's Avatar
7t9l82
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
Photogenic
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 6,936
Likes: 848
From: melbourne florida
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Default

Originally Posted by bashcraft
What if I don't have an old t-shirt?
Then some of you wife's or girlfriends lingere should work o.k .
Reply
Old Feb 26, 2015 | 11:48 AM
  #16  
tyancey00's Avatar
tyancey00
Burning Brakes
Supporting Lifetime
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,019
Likes: 18
From: St. Louis MO
Default

Originally Posted by 7t9l82
Then some of you wife's or girlfriends lingere should work o.k .
You just trying to get that boy in trouble!!
Reply
Old Feb 26, 2015 | 02:00 PM
  #17  
flyeri's Avatar
flyeri
Drifting
10 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Liked
 
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,347
Likes: 121
From: Kernersville NC
Default

Originally Posted by oledave60
I first tried gravity and only got a very weak and slow drip and could not get any pedal. Then tried with the pedal and had good pressure out the front, but little to none in the rear. Still no pedal, so I am going with plan 3. New proportioning valve and a new Motive pressure bleeder. Every other thing with no exception in the brake system is new.

Still would like to hear from anybody that has used the centering tool and what they thought of it. Thanks, Dave
From the Motive website: This does work very well.

"In 2011 we started to make the 1105 and 1115 out of cast aluminum. We received the following tip from users that work on their classic Corvettes. We like the tip so much we're passing it on to you. Use a c-clamp to hold the adpater in place. It works great and is much faster to use than the chains. Also if you are using the chains and jhooks with wing nuts feel free to use a set of pliers on the wingnuts if needed to obtaing a tight seal. We recommend bleeding pressures between 10-15psi for the 1105 and 1115."
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Brake bleeding

Old Feb 26, 2015 | 03:49 PM
  #18  
oledave60's Avatar
oledave60
Thread Starter
Pro
 
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 517
Likes: 20
From: Scroggins Tx
Default

Thanks for the replys. The rubber lines are new as is everything else. I have a c-clamp and hope to try this sat.
Reply
Old Feb 27, 2015 | 09:09 AM
  #19  
thegazman's Avatar
thegazman
Drifting
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,305
Likes: 2
From: Lewisburg WV
Default thegazman

Originally Posted by Street Rat
Quote:
Still would like to hear from anybody that has used the centering tool and what they thought of it. Thanks, Dave

Dave I have used the tool. I kept having a problem with the brake warning light coming on not long after I bled the brakes. I figured the pressure on one side of the prop valve was not equal to the other. I put the tool in the prop valve and bled the brakes. The light has stayed off ever since. I wouldn't say that YOU need the tool unless you are having a problem with the valve centering after bleeding.

Bottom line = worth the $7 or $8 bucks that I spent for it.
I used a centering tool when I bleed my brakes after replacing the distribution/proportioning valve. My brake light stayed on due to the piston in the valve being stuck in the forward position because of crud in the system. I'll be honest, I don't if the centering tool was needed or not. I just wasn't taking any chances as I installed a new master cylinder, all new calipers, new distribution/proportioning valve, and flushed and bleed the system. After all that I removed the centering tool, replaced the brake light valve and everything has worked great since.
Reply
Old Feb 27, 2015 | 11:41 AM
  #20  
PHIL 68's Avatar
PHIL 68
Racer
 
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 383
Likes: 16
From: SARNIA ONTARIO
Default

Is there any way to clean proportioning valve without taking it apart? Phil
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:29 AM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE