Locating a brake fluid leak
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 293
Likes: 0
From: Englewood CO
Locating a brake fluid leak
I was driving a few weeks ago got a spongy pedal, and added fluid and bled the brakes. I tried to inspect the brakes for leaks and coudln't fine any. I have been driving my car since bleeding the brakes about 3 days now, and checked the master cylinder and it had gone down about 3quarters in the rear only. And the pedal feels a lot worse. I am assuming that this is not air in the system that I had previously thought it was. I replaced the brake hoses with stainless steel, the rear brake lines on the trailing arms, and all the calipers. How can I locate this leak?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 293
Likes: 0
From: Englewood CO
Re: Locating a brake fluid leak (Greg)
I think I can recall some. I know I saw some there, not sure if I just spilt it or if it leaked out, in the morning I'll check. I just replaced the master cylinder with a brand new one this week. What would the brake fluid from there indicate? Also, when there is so much pedal travel in the brakes that when I push the pedal all the way down it stalls the car from all of the vacumm.
Just another Corvette guy
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 8,518
Likes: 3,865
From: Palm Springs, CA.
Re: Locating a brake fluid leak (79corvette)
Hey Chad,
The only reason I asked was in your first post you mentioned 4 new calipers but not the MC. However, if it's new as well I'd look elsewhere. Perhaps the best way to find a leak would be with a pressure bleeder. Hook it up, charge the system and look for the leak. This is probably the fastest and most accurate way to locate your problem.
Greg
The only reason I asked was in your first post you mentioned 4 new calipers but not the MC. However, if it's new as well I'd look elsewhere. Perhaps the best way to find a leak would be with a pressure bleeder. Hook it up, charge the system and look for the leak. This is probably the fastest and most accurate way to locate your problem.
Greg
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 293
Likes: 0
From: Englewood CO
Re: Locating a brake fluid leak (Greg)
Tomorrow I think I'll got to Wal-Mart and get the spray bottles and make the pressure bleeder that has been mentioned here on the forum and try and locate the leak. Thanks for the help so far. Brakes can get frustrating.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 12,065
Likes: 2
From: Smalltownville Michigan
Cruise-In 5, 6 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09
Re: Locating a brake fluid leak (79corvette)
dude, i just got done working over my 77's i didnt think that my calipers were leaking until i got them totally off the car and got a really good look at them
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 293
Likes: 0
From: Englewood CO
Re: Locating a brake fluid leak (Aflac)
dude, i just got done working over my 77's i didnt think that my calipers were leaking until i got them totally off the car and got a really good look at them
I got my calipers from VPB in August and then replaced the Right Rear in March. I figure they should still be good, they are the O-ring design. And I purchased a nonrebuilt MC so, I'm thinking it is either a connection or a line. I hope to hook the pressure bleader up Monday or Tuesday.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: bathurst nb
Re: Locating a brake fluid leak (79corvette)
You know how i found my leak? I sat my car for a day or two on cardboard.Came back,looked for a wet spot.Found it.It was near the front left whell but not the wheel itself.It was dribbling off of the Master Cylinder and B.Booster.Replaced both.Simple :D
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,407
Likes: 2
From: Carmichael CA
Re: Locating a brake fluid leak (79corvette)
Also, when there is so much pedal travel in the brakes that when I push the pedal all the way down it stalls the car from all of the vacumm.
