gravity bleed question
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,106
Likes: 0
gravity bleed question
My driver side rear caliper was leaking so i took it apart and rebuilt it. When i put it back together all i did was add more new fluid to the MC and open one bleeder at a time until fluid came out. Did i do it right? The brakes still feel a little spongy.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,179
Likes: 3
From: SF East Bay CA
Re: gravity bleed question (GDaina)
C3 brakes are a PITA. No matter how hard I tried, gravity bleeding did not give me the "firm" feel. I ended up per the forum's assistance in using a pressure bleeder which attaches to the Master cylinder. Since then, anytime I mhave done work and needed to bleed, I have used this and never once had an issue with spongy feel. The pressure bleeder was abouot $60.00, but I use it on all vehicles. Don't waste your $$ on the junk bleeders they sell at Kragen's, Checkers, etc. The ones that have the pressure pistol grip and use fish tank hose.. Just my .02 :flag
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 16,978
Likes: 7
From: In Dreams There Is Truth Ohio
Re: gravity bleed question (battsup)
you should be able to just bleed that caliper....as the caliper is bleeding slightly tap it with a hammer, will dislodge any trapped air bubbles.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,727
Likes: 38
From: Fremont CA
Re: gravity bleed question (GDaina)
Give the brake pedal a very SLOW push with the top cover bail springs removed and the cover gasket seal broken before attempting to gravity bleed. The last step should be a re-bleed after warming up the brake sysem with a short drive as there can be air trapped in the caliper that will dislodge and rise to the top with the vibration and heat of useage. You should then have a VERY FIRM pedal after making the effort, I know it is time consuming but, this method is worth the effort.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,135
Likes: 2
From: Dayton Oh
Re: gravity bleed question (battsup)
I replaced both rear calipers this past weekend and had a heck of a time getting the air out. Luckily I had a friend to help pump the brakes the old fashion way. We tried for a long time but still couldn't get a good petal. Finally we gave up that afternoon. The next day, we tried again and in just a couple of minutes we got it right. I suspect that we had an air bubble somewhere that settled out during the night. Best bet is to have a friend help and bleed all calipers in the recommended procedure of 1) driver rear, 2) passenger rear, 3) passenger front and 4) driver front. Bleed a couple of times and I bet you'll get the petal you want. :cheers:
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 3,544
Likes: 448
From: Central Pennsylvania
Re: gravity bleed question (battsup)
I just put power brakes on my originally non-power '70. I'm convinced that a new/dry master cylinder may be the worst fate a C3 owner can face. Even with proper bench bleeding I'm on my 3rd re-bleed of the rear brakes. LOTS of air in the system, and it's just the nature of the beast that the air is a bee-atch to get out. Drive & re-bleed, drive & re-bleed, drive & re-bleed, etc.
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