Soft pedal after bleeding brakes
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,116
Likes: 598
This could be in the
1. Master Cylinder
2. Caliper pistons area
3. In the caliper it self.
So the next question is what method did you use to bleed. ? And why did you try to bleed the brakes ?
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,953
Likes: 4,510
From: Virginia
Using the two man method should work, but some air can get past the threads of the bleed screw if your timing is off with your partner. There could also be air in the master cylinder if it ran dry at any point.
A Motive pressure bleeder is another option to try. I've also used some thread sealant on the bleed screw threads (NOT the tapered seat).
A Motive pressure bleeder is another option to try. I've also used some thread sealant on the bleed screw threads (NOT the tapered seat).
Last edited by Bikespace; Sep 22, 2019 at 05:42 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,229
Likes: 39
From: Beautiful East Texas
Subscribing:
Having problems with mine too... have bled and bled and bled but the pedal remains sponegy.
It stops pretty good, but the pedal doesn't feel right.
Right front caliper bleeder never really seems to clear up completely, also rear brake calipers (while free of air) don't
really seem to be moving much fluid.... I'm wondering if old rubber lines might be collapsed internally??
mardyn
Having problems with mine too... have bled and bled and bled but the pedal remains sponegy.
It stops pretty good, but the pedal doesn't feel right.
Right front caliper bleeder never really seems to clear up completely, also rear brake calipers (while free of air) don't
really seem to be moving much fluid.... I'm wondering if old rubber lines might be collapsed internally??
mardyn
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 224
From: Pawleys Island, SC
Never heard anyone say "my brakes are still spongy" after bleeding with a Motive pressure bleeder. Seems there's too much room for error and much unsatisfactory results with any other method on these cars.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,953
Likes: 4,510
From: Virginia
And if you can't prove that your brake hoses are less than 10 years old (dated receipts, or you did it yourself and documented it), go ahead and replace them, same as tires.
The one other tip I have is to tap the calipers and junctions with a wrench, to dislodge the last of the air bubbles.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,502
Likes: 1,510
From: Little Rock AR
Most of us here have suffered a few times with the C3 brake bleeding issues, It is unique to the C3 as I have never had any trouble on any other car doing it the traditional 2-man way. If someone is posting here, they are new to the C3 but not new to brake jobs. We have hundreds of threads on this common problem.
Motive pressure bleeder was the answer for me and I posted that in the other thread as well.
Motive pressure bleeder was the answer for me and I posted that in the other thread as well.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 529
Likes: 113
From: Texas
No fancy bleeder is needed. I gravity bleed followed by a bottle bleeder, it works fine.
Last edited by Gunfighter13; Sep 25, 2019 at 10:55 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 8,336
Likes: 2,810
From: Cool Northern Michigan
Most of us here have suffered a few times with the C3 brake bleeding issues, It is unique to the C3 as I have never had any trouble on any other car doing it the traditional 2-man way. If someone is posting here, they are new to the C3 but not new to brake jobs. We have hundreds of threads on this common problem.
Motive pressure bleeder was the answer for me and I posted that in the other thread as well.
Motive pressure bleeder was the answer for me and I posted that in the other thread as well.
And most of us know to buy brakefluid in 55 gal drums too.
And yet there are people here that say they've never had an issue and got the chore done perfect the first time. To those lucky people, I say you better count your blessings and buy a lottery ticket.
C3 brake issues are real. If they were not a concern, you would not see two posts a week on here about the stinkin' brakes.
7th Gear
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 7
Likes: 3
From: Missouri
Most reliable method I've found is pretty simple... Gravity. I also have a '74 and after days of fighting them with a pump, 2 man method, etc, finally just put the car on 4 jack stands, opened all the bleeder screws, had plenty of spare brake fluid ready, and let gravity do it's job. Brakes work amazing now, and I'm not sure I'll ever do them any other way again. Just my experience.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 92
Likes: 13
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,817
Likes: 470
From: Wichita Kansas
Most reliable method I've found is pretty simple... Gravity. I also have a '74 and after days of fighting them with a pump, 2 man method, etc, finally just put the car on 4 jack stands, opened all the bleeder screws, had plenty of spare brake fluid ready, and let gravity do it's job. Brakes work amazing now, and I'm not sure I'll ever do them any other way again. Just my experience.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,970
Likes: 45
From: Cameron Park CA
This Harbor Freight bleeder tool works very well, although it requires you have an air compressor. It utilizes fir flow past an orifice to create a vacuum that pulls the brake fluid out of the caliper. In all the years I've owned my C3, this is the easiest method I've found. Here’s a link Pneumatic Brake Bleeder to the tool.